EBAC NORTHERN LEAGUE

MARC Nash praised Newcastle Blue Star’s battling qualities as a Dan Turner goal helped the Division Two promotion contenders see off a dogged and determined Thornaby side.

The young forward came off the bench to head home what would be the only goal of the game with seven minutes remaining to ensure Blue Star closed the gap on Division Two leaders Blyth Town to ten points.

Reflecting on a challenging day, Nash said: “It was always going to be a battle and it’s absolute credit to the club getting the pitch in some shape to play.

“It’s cut up pretty quickly so football was always going to be at a premium. When you come through a battle like this, in tough conditions, all you want is three points and it’s great credit to the lads that they’ve done that.”

Horden CW came from a goal down to boost their Division Two play-off hopes with a 2-1 win at Brandon United.

Kieran Parnaby put the hosts ahead inside the opening three minutes but Dave Gordon and Jack Pounder ensured it was Horden that took the points.

Levi Collins continued his stunning start to life as Jarrow with a hat-trick as Kennie Malia’s men romped to a 9-2 home win against Washington.

Callum Johnston also hit a treble and Evan Whittle, Kerso Lizande and Karl Morrison also netted as the ‘hosts’ took all three points in a game held at Ford Hub.

A late Redcar Town rally helped them claim a 3-2 win at Ryton and Crawcrook Albion.

The two sides looked on their way to a draw after Albion’s Connor Shaw cancelled out an opener from Thomas Ellington.

However, it was the visitors who took the points as a late brace from Carl Williams came either side of a Dan Craggs penalty.

Bishop Auckland moved six points clear at the top of the Division One table with a comfortable home win against North Shields.

Marcus Giles did most of the damage for the Two Blues as the former Whitley Bay forward grabbed a goal in each half, and Dean Thexton and Craig Gott also found the net as the hosts boosted their promotion hopes.

At the other end of the table there was a momentous day for bottom side Tow Law Town as they claimed their first win of the season at Northallerton Town.

Liam Mcnamara opened the scoring in the early stages and a Jamie O’brien brace took the Lawyers out of sight with a 3-1 win at the Calvert Stadium.

Curtis Round and Adam Boyes both scored twice as Redcar Athletic claimed a 4-0 home win against Whickham, and Matty Tymon, Joe Pickett and Nicholas Hood all found the net in Guisborough Town’s 3-0 win at Seaham Red Star.