Benfield part company with boss Convery

EBAC Northern League Division One club Newcastle Benfield have confirmed that they have parted company with manager Mark Convery.

The news came in the wake of Tuesday night’s defeat at Hebburn Town, a result which leaves the Sam Smith’s Park club with just two wins from their opening ten games of the league campaign.

A short statement on the club’s website said “Newcastle Benfield manager Mark Convery has today left the club by mutual agreement.

“We would like to thank Mark for his services and wish him all the best for the future.”

The only game that took place in Division One on Wednesday night was abandoned due to floodlight failure.

Goals from Andrew Johnson and Kyle Patton had put Bishop Auckland two goals up at halftime against Penrith but an issue with the Frenchfield Park floodlights saw the game prematurely ended.

West Allotment Celtic moved into the Second Round of the Ernest Armstrong Memorial Cup with a 3-1 win at Ryton and Crawcrook Albion.

First-half goals from Michael Baxter and Regan Paterson were added to after the interval by a Jack Errington strike.

Jamie Dunn pulled one back for Albion on 79 minutes, but the visitors had done enough to progress at Kingsley Park.

Willington and Crook Town needed penalties to decide their own First Round tie.

Jeff Smith put the hosts ahead in the early stages at Hall Lane but their lead was cancelled out by Christian Holliday’s equaliser.

But it was Willington that progressed with a 5-3 win in the shoot-out.

Marske United stayed in second place in the Evo-Stik League East Division after their 1-1 draw at Pontefract Collieries.

Jack Greenhough put the hosts ahead on 25 minutes, but Carl Jarrett’s side secured a point thanks to Curtis Round’s goal just after the half-hour mark.