Rare success for Central closes the gap at the top of the table
PINPOINT JUNIOR LEAGUE UNDER-16-UNDER-17 DIVISIONS
WALKER Central won for just the second time this season In the Under-16 Premiership - squeezing past Newcastle East End 4-3.
They then closed the gap at the top of Division One to just a point with a 3-1 win against Red House Farm.
Blyth Rangers moved up to third thanks to a 2-1 victory against fifthplaced Whitley Bay Sporting Club.
Berwick Rangers are within striking distance of Division Two leaders Cramlington United following a 5-2 victory over Montagu and North Fenham - closing the gap to three points with four games in hand.
The bottom four were in action in Division Three.
Cramlington United Leopards overcame Newbiggin Hall 3-2 and Corbridge United drew 2-2 with bottom-of-the- table North Shields.
Whitley Bay Sporting Club extended their unbeaten start to the season in Division Four to 13 games – and their advantage at the top of the table to eight points – with a 5-0 result against second-placed Cramlington Tigers. One more point will secure them the championship.
Red House Eagles clinched a final berth in the Under-16 Shield with a 4-3 penalty success over Ellington Juniors after a 2-2 draw.
Morpeth Town are into the Under-16 Trophy decider thanks to a 5-2 verdict over Walbottle Juniors. ■■NEWCASTLE Benfield rose two places to third In the Under-17 Premiership after an emphatic 4-1 win over Whitley Bay Sporting Club.
The gap at the top of Division Two is no more after Cramlington Town prevailed 3-1 at Newcastle East End – pulling level with Heaton Hawks. Seaton Delaval Dynamos triumphed 6-1 at Whitley Bay Sporting Club.
The Under-17 Challenge Shield semi-finals took place with Corbridge United playing Heaton Hawks and North Shields Athletic travelling to Alnwick Town.
United won 3-1 against Heaton while Alnwick Town needed penalties to overcome Athletic – going through 3-1 in the shootout after a 1-1 draw. ■■BLYTH Rangers moved up to third in the Nigel Voules Under-19 Championship thanks to a 2-1 victory over Cramlington Town, leapfrogging over their opponents in the process.