STAR BOSS ALL SMILES AFTER SHOCK VICTORY
Seaham Red Star manager Mark Collingwood admitted recently that he had endured a tough season so far.
High-points have been few and far between, so there was little surprise that he wore a large smile on his face after watching his side claim their most impressive win of the season on Saturday.
Title-chasing Consett were heavy favourites when they arrived at the Ferguson Motor Repairs Stadium, but a dogged, determined display from Red Star condemned the Steelmen to a surprise defeat.
A first-half header from Liam Gillesphey was enough to hand Collingwood’s side a 1-0 win, although they had to dig deep to claim the three points after midfielder David Robinson was shown a red card just nine minutes into the second half.
“I’m elated. Very, very relieved and elated. I’ve said for weeks that we’re a good side, but you start doubting that when you’re consistently getting beat,” explained Collingwood.
“We didn’t play that well, attacking-wise, and I don’t think Consett did either.
“The conditions dictated that it was going to be scrappy, but we’ve worked hard and I’m delighted.
“We’ve played Shildon, Bishops and Consett backto-back and I said at the start of that run of fixtures that I would’ve taken three draws.
“We’ve got a win and two defeats and it’s got to give us confidence, having beaten a team that scored seven past us in December.
“To restrict them to limited chances today, keeping a clean sheet against them, I’m delighted, and we have to take this into the rest of the season now.”
Ryhope CW moved up to 10th in the Division One table with a comfortable 2-0 home win against struggling Ashington.
First-half goals from Matthew Weirs and James Ellis were enough to give Gary Pearson’s side all three points and the Ryhope boss now wants his side to consolidate their place in the top 10.
He said: “When you think about it, we have come away with two goals and it was pretty comfortable.
“There weren’t many emergencies when we were panicking, but on the other hand, I am slightly disappointed that we haven’t put a few more chances away.
“We have done alright going forward, and we have created chances, but I still think 2-0 slightly flatters them.
“At the start of the season we said can we break into that top 10 and I believe we can. The players believe they can and it’s down to all of us to break into the top 10 and finish as high as we can.”
Dunston UTS extended their lead at the top of the table to four points with a 4-1 home win against basement club Penrith.
Mark Fitzpatrick scored twice and there was a goal apiece for Liam Brooks and Dan Halliday as Dunston claimed a fourth consecutive win.
Mikey Roberts grabbed a brace to help Stockton Town to a 2-0 win at Whitley Bay and Ryan Carr matched that feat in North Shields’ 4-2 win at Newcastle Benfield.
Shildon claimed a fourth win in their last five league games as they saw off Guisborough Town at Dean Street.
Zak Atkinson, Nathan Steel and Ben Trotter all found the net to give the Railwaymen a three-goal advantage at half-time. Matthew Lovatt grabbed a late consolation for the visitors in second-half injury-time.
West Auckland Town are the Northern League’s sole survivor in the FA Vase after they put in a disciplined display to send Division One rivals Hebburn Town out of the competition.
Hornets defender Jack Donaghy scored an own goal on 19 minutes, and a stunning solo effort from Amar Purewal in the 52nd minute set up a home quarter-final against Combined Counties League Premier Division Chertsey Town.