Hat-trick sets Blue Star up for a big win

NEWCASTLE Blue Star and AFC Killingworth both recorded big wins to keep them in the hunt at the top of the Premier Division.

Blue Star led after just 24 seconds of their home game with mid-table Whitley Bay A as they cruised to a 7-0 win, Richard Coulson notching the first of a first-half hat-trick, adding two more inside the first 20 minutes.

Mitchell Ramsay made it four before the break then late efforts from Ethan Bewley (2) and Shaun Kirkup, wrapped up proceedings.

Killingworth maintained their pressure on the top two with an 8-2 victory over FC United of Newcastle, Malcolm Morien with four, Konner Lamb with two and Liam Hudson and Sam Bramley, on his debut, also on target.

Dillon Swann and Mark Hewitson replied for FC United.

Shankhouse came from behind to defeat Gateshead Rutherford 2-1, Oliver Young and Andrew Anderson cancelling out Niki Langston’s opener whilst goals from Fenwick and Bell gave Wallington all three points against Percy Main.

As for the Challenge Cup, Newcastle Chemfica required extra-time to dismiss gutsy Gateshead A in a seven-goal Challenge Cup quarter-final thriller. Sam Grieveson helped himself to three for the victors, Darryl Basham the other whilst the Heed, who were never out of it, notched through Brandon Slater, Lewis McGeoch and Jack Warriner. The two First Division matches played would bear witness to away successes as two goals from Liam Anderson helped Wallsend Boys Club on their way to a 3-0 win at Gosforth Bohemians, Stephen Buzzeo the other in a dominant second half whilst a Kieran Storey double helped Hebburn U23s to a 3-2 win at Wallsend Community, Chris Mason and Dean Blacklock replying. In the Combination Cup, Cullercoats required extra-time to beat Winlaton, Eamon Nugent Doyle the hero, whilst a Max Anderson brace gave Red Row the edge in a 3-2 win at Hexham.

There was a goal in each half for Seaton Burn as they won 2-0 against Forest Hall whilst Prudhoe Youth Club had four different scorers – Arron Fletcher, Eli Timmins Scanlon, Harry Mitchell and Ben Bloomer – in a 4-0 win over Blyth Spartans Reserves.

Whitley Sporting won 5-1 at home to Cramlington United while Whitburn won 8-1 at Burradon. A hat-trick from Ross Dickinson saw Wideopen win 4-2 away to Cramlington Town, the hosts netting at the end of each half and Jack Renwick would bag a brace as Willington Quay Saints dented Spittal’s top of the table charge, winning 2-0.

PETER MANN