Sad Storey to tell as Town’s Vase run ends
HEBBURN Town captain Louis Storey bemoaned his side’s lacklustre display as Town’s FA Vase run was ended by Northern League Division One rivals West Auckland Town.
A Jack Donaghy own goal and a stunning solo strike from Amar Purewal helped the visitors to a 2-0 win on South Tyneside and set up a home tie against Combined Counties Football League club Chertsey Town in the quarterfinals of the competition.
Storey admitted his side “never really got going” during the game but could not explain why they produced such a below-par effort.
He said “That one hurts. We did not show up in the second half as well as we should have and we have been punished for that.
“It is hard to put your finger on one thing - but we maybe lacked a bit of quality on the ball and we were dragged into playing the long ball too often.
“It was not a lack of willing, just the fact our quality was not there.” ■■DUNSTON UTS extended their lead at the top of the Division One table to four points with a comprehensive 4-1 home victory against Penrith.
Chris Swailes’ side made light work of the division’s basement club as a Mark Fitzpatrick brace and a goal apiece from Dan Halliday and Liam Brooks helped them to another three points.
Fellow title challengers Consett fell to a 1-0 defeat at struggling Seaham Red Star.
A first-half header from Liam Gillesphey gave Mark Collingwood’s side a win at the Ferguson Motor Repairs Stadium.
North Shields continued their impressive form as two counters from Ryan Carr and one each from Gary Day and Cam Cunningham put them on their way to a 4-2 result at Newcastle Benfield.
A Mikey Roberts brace gave Stockton Town a 2-0 success at Whitley Bay and Matthew Weirs and James Ellis were on target as Ryhope CW saw off Ashington by the same score.
Michael Baxter and Regan Paterson grabbed the goals to help West Allotment Celtic inflict a first league defeat of the season on Division Two leaders Billingham Town with a 2-1 win at Druid Park.
Heaton Stannington moved to within three points of a place in the top four as Connor Campbell, Thibault Charmey and Andy Robertson scored in their 3-0 victory at Bedlington Terriers.