Goals galore as cup starts with a bang
NEWCASTLE University went a little goal-crazy in the opening round of the Team Valley Carpets Challenge Cup.
The Students, recently installed as Premier Division leaders, dismissed second-placed Newcastle Blue Star in emphatic fashion as Lee Scott bagged a four-goal haul in a destructive 9-1 win.
That came after they’d handed Blue Star a first-minute lead via Martin Soulsby; other replies came courtesy of an own-goal, Keith Douglas, Olly Walden, Niza Chilufya and Jonathon Bennett.
AFC Killingworth came close to matching that when they hosted, and dismantled, Whitley Bay A.
Liam Hudson scored four in their 8-1 win as Malcolm Morien, Konner Lamb, Liam Harris and a first of the season for Scott Bamborough saw the hosts home, Chris Zolden replying.
New Fordley beat visitors Gateshead Rutherford 5-1, Jordan Watson scoring twice while Newcastle Chemfica defeated visiting Shankhouse 5-2, Sam Grieveson with a double.
Alnwick beat visitors FC United 4-3, Paul Muers with two for the hosts, but United had a goal disallowed with the last kick. Paul Dunn bagged a brace in Seaton Delaval’s 4-3 win at Percy Main.
The remaining Challenge Cup ties saw a Michael Butcher brace help North Shields Athletic win 3-2 at Ponteland; Gateshead A won 3-1 at home to Wallington.
In the Combination Cup, Winlaton shocked undefeated league leaders Blyth Town 3-1 in extra time after equalising in the last minute, Finn Gibson with both late goals, while Felling’s game at home to Blyth Reserves went all the way to spot-kicks, the visitors winning 4-2 on pens.
Both Red Row and Seaton Burn won 4-2 at home, Wallsend Boys Club and Gosforth Bohemians their respective victims; a Jack Pinchen brace cancelled out Jonathon McGreary’s double as Forest Hall won 3-2 at Hebburn U23s.
Cullercoats beat Wallsend Community 2-0 while an Adam Greenwood goal secured Prudhoe Youth Club’s win at Bedlington.
In the Amateur Cup, Second Division leaders Jesmond edged a nine-goal thriller at home to Whitburn; Rothbury beat Whitley SC 5-0, Michael Old with a hat-trick.
Blyth FC won 6-3 at Cramlington Town, Joe Moscrop with a double, while both Ellington and Stobswood won 3-2 on the road, at Wideopen and Cramlington United respectively.
The remaining cup matches saw Seghill win 2-1 at Burradon, Gateshead Redheugh won 2-1 at Willington Quay Saints and a goal at the death from Jak Croucher saw Coundon steal victory when away to Spittal Rovers.
PETER MANN