Town prove just two strong for the House
BAY PLASTICS NORTHERN ALLIANCE LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
BIRTLEY Town kept their hopes of lifting the title alive.
They fought their way to a 2-0 result at Shankhouse and moved to within two points of the leaders Newcastle University, who were inactive but now have a game in hand.
Aaron McEwen opened the scoring for Town on 29 minutes and Damian Stevens doubled the lead with 20 minutes remaining.
Seaton Delaval, who are third with two games in hand but ten points off the pace, romped to a 10-1 win at lowly North Shields Athletic.
Michael Baxter helped himself to a double hat-trick, notching three in each half.
Jack Mullen bagged a second-half brace along with efforts from Michael Trodd and Matthew Hayton, the hosts netting a mere consolation on the hour through Jonny Lowes.
All three goals scored at Ashington Colliers, who defeated visitors AFC Newbiggin 2-1, came in the opening half-hour.
The Colliers even gave the visitors the lead with an own goal in the opening exchanges before Dan Costello levelled and Connor Andrews struck what would turn out to be the winner just after the half-hour.
Percy Main triumphed 3-1 at Northbank Carlisle and Killingworth Town prevailed 3-0 at home to Ponteland with strikes from Louis Howe, Christopher Scott, and, in his first game for 12 months after a cruciate ligament injury, Ross Bailey.
The remaining games was the Gateshead derby, where Rutherford fell to a 4-0 defeat at home to Gateshead A.
The Heed Reserves raced into a two-goal lead inside the first ten minutes via Matty Halliday from the spot after five minutes and Dan Hailes.
Owen made the score 3-0 just after the half-hour and, with half an hour remaining, Liam Butler completed the rout.