Academic as Uni turn on style in 12-goal blitz
NORTHERN ALLIANCE
NEWCASTLE University maintained their four-point lead at the top of the Premier Division at the weekend after hitting 12 goals past visitors Newbiggin.
Newbiggin replied through a penalty just before the hour, by which time they were already seven behind – Olly Walden notched a first-half hat-trick to set Uni on their way,
Josh Ferguson and Peter Mairs added to the total before the break.
The second half continued in the same vein for the leaders as Matthew Konadou Yiadom hit a double, one at the start and one at the finish of the half, while Niza Chilufya helped himself to three as well; Noah Neil and Joe Hamblin also got in on the act as the race for the title, and promotion to the Northern League, hots up.
Second-placed Birtley Town maintained their push for the title with a routine 4-1 win at home to Whitley Bay A. Morgan Spence and Andy Hall had the hosts two goals up inside 15 minutes while an own goal from the Bay ‘keeper made it three at the break.
Jack Honour got himself his routine goal just after the hour mark, with Connor Campbell notching a consolation in the closing minutes.
Goals from McLelland, Bewley and Cook saw 10-man Ponteland defeat visitors Wallington 3-0, while doubles from Joe Conway and Paul Collinson helped Percy Main to a 4-2 win at home to third-placed Seaton Delaval, who replied through Jordan Wray and Ryan Gladstone.
The only First Division match was a bottom-of-the-table clash at Cullercoats as they lost 2-0 to visitors Cramlington Town, with Straughan and Middleton scoring the goals.
In the Second Division, leaders Blyth Spartans Reserves reopened a four-point lead when they won the other Blyth derby, defeating visitors Blyth FC 7-0.
Jack Butler helped himself to three, one in the first and two in the second. Karl Lazzari scored twice, both coming just after the hour, while Tom Bailey and Liam Wotherspoon also chipped in with goals in the final quarter.
Bedlington maintained their chances of a top-three finish when they won 5-2 away to Gateshead Redheugh, with just the one goal, from Adam Ord, in the first half.
The blue-touch paper was lit five minutes into the second half when Sheldon White struck number two and Chris Conway added a third.
Michael Lewis grabbed a double for the hosts on 65 and 75 minutes to make things interesting. However Joe Moscrop had the final say with a brace of his own to seal the points.
Coundon lost narrowly at home to Whitburn as Martin’s goal was cancelled out, with an own goal and one for Fitzgerald giving the visitors the points.
In the Bill Gardner Cup, a brace from cup specialist Malcolm Morien enabled First Division title hopefuls Killingworth YPC to progress to the final 2-1 against Second Division high fliers Prudhoe Youth Club Seniors.