Birtley’s top spot a terrific Honour!
BAY PLASTICS NORTHERN ALLIANCE PREMIER DIVISION
BIRTLEY went top after claiming a decisive 3-0 win at lowly North Shields Athletic.
They displaced Shankhouse, who lost at Ashington Colliers.
Charlie Watson opened the scoring for Birtley midway through the first half before a second-period brace, on 57 and 80 minutes, from Jack Honour gave the new leaders all three points.
Shankhouse lost 3-1, the Colliers triumphing 3-1 with goals from Aiden Lynn after ten minutes and Shaun Gibson and Paul Dunn in the second period, the visitors replying through Ben Walker with 15 minutes remaining.
Rutherford moved into the top half of the table with a comfortable 3-0 victory at home to Northbank Carlisle.
David Boyle afforded the hosts the lead after just 30 seconds before a counter in each half from Dillon Howarth sealed the points.
Gateshead A picked up only their second success in the league this season - and in emphatic style when they triumphed 6-0 at home to AFC Newbiggin.
Macauley Langstaff helped himself to three of the tally while Daniel Burns (2) and Jon Mellish also scored.
There was a ten-goal thriller in Whitley Bay A’s game in the Benevolent Bowl as they edged past visitors Wallington 6-4.
Leading 3-2 at the break, the hosts saw further counters arrive courtesy of braces from Connor Campbell and Reagan Patterson and Paul Dunn.
The visitors, who at one stage had the levelled the match at 2-2, replied through Ben Fenwick, Jordan Nellis, Josh Laverick and Micky Angus.
Newcastle University progressed courtesy of a second-half double from Liam Atkin at Seaton Delaval.
Percy Main, with finishes from Jake Forster and Paul Collinson, saw off a spirited display from their First Division hosts Hexham 2-1.
Killingworth Town prevailed 2-1 in extra-time at Ponteland.
Town led through a first-half Lee Waugh effort, the Pont levelling at the death through Lee Gustard before Christopher Tait notched what proved to be the winner in the 23rd minute of extra time.
DIVISION Two sides Blyth Spartans Reserves, Bedlington, Willington Quay Saints and Whitley Sporting all suffered shock losses in the Northumberland Minor Cup.
Spartans lost 3-1 on penalties after a 2-2 draw at Newcastle University A.
Bedlington crashed 3-1 at Haltwhistle Jubilee, Quay Saints went down 5-1 at Hazlerigg and Sporting were edged out 2-1 by Fellowship League side North Shields Community Christians.