The comeback kings
STUDENTS HIT BACK TO STRENGTHEN GRIP AT TOP
LEFTERIS Alambritis fired a brace as leaders Newcastle University maintained the pace at the top with a 3-1 victory at Newcastle Chemfica - although they were made to sweat early on.
Chemfica took the lead after just ten minutes through Fergus Lynch before Alambritis levelled just eight minutes later.
James Taylor turned the game on its head ten minutes before the interval to give the leaders the advantage.
Only one goal was netted in the second period and that went to Alambritis who, just after the hour, wrapped up the points.
Uni’s victory ensured their lead remains at eight points after second-placed Newcastle Blue Star were held at Gateshead Rutherford.
Star led from the spot after 65 minutes, both goals arriving in the second half as Rutherford levelled proceedings at the death.
The two sides directly beneath the top two both claimed victory to stay level on 41 points.
Killingworth hold the advantage on goal difference and triumphed 3-0 at Alnwick Town - all three coming via tap-ins as Malcolm Morien snatched a brace.
Lee Johnson also netted while a Simon Farrier strike was enough for Wallington to gain all three points at home to Ponteland United.
Olly Watson netted a first-half treble as his North Shields Athletic side prevailed 6-1 at Seaton Delaval, Marcelinho Junior also bagging a brace for the visitors alongside a late sixth from Connor Poole.
Jamie Hanson notched what proved a mere consolation.
Mid-table Shankhouse earned themselves a 4-1 success at FC United of Newcastle as Olly Young and Brad Higgins both nabbed doubles for the victors.
Young opened the scoring, Higgins doubling the advantage from the spot minutes later.
Anthony Dobie gave the hosts hope midway through the first half but Higgins restored the two-goal advantage with his second before the hour and Young wrapped up the points 12 minutes from time.
The remaining game produced a two-goal salvo from Brandon Slater for Gateshead Reserves as they won 2-1 at New Fordley, Dean Ellis with Fordley’s reply.