University on march after rivals slip up

AS their title rivals slipped up, Premier Division leaders Newcastle University maintained a march towards the title with a 3-1 win at Newcastle Chemfica.

Lefteris Alambritis fired home twice in the win which also saw James Taylor net for the Students. Fergus Lynch had opened the scoring for the hosts.

Newcastle Blue Star remain eight points adrift of the leaders after they were held at Gateshead Rutherford, Sam Hodgson striking late to cancel out Dean Gallagher’s opener from the spot.

Killingworth won 3-0 at Alnwick Town thanks to a brace from Malky Morien. Wallington won via a lone strike by Simon Farrier against Ponteland.

A hat-trick from Olly Watson helped North Shields Athletic to a comfortable 6-1 win at Seaton Delaval. Marcelinho Junior nabbed a brace

Olly Young and Brad Higgins scored doubles for Shankhouse in their 4-1 victory at FC United.

Brandon Slater scored both Gateshead Reserves goals in their 2-1 win at New Fordley.

Blyth Town have a two-point lead on Spartans Reserves. The leaders wrapped up a comfortable 5-0 home win over Newcastle East End as Connor Andrews scored a hat-trick. Liam Anderson bagged a brace Spartans Reserves in their 4-2 win at Red Row.

Bedlington are third after their 3-1 win against Wallsend Boys Club, Michael Ord with two. Cullercoats lost 2-1 against Winlaton Vulcans.

Hebburn U23s swapped places with hosts Hexham courtesy of David Stansfield’s lone effort and Forest Hall won 4-2 at Longbenton.

A David Burns double helped Prudhoe Youth Club reach the final of the Combination Cup with a 5-1 win at Seaton Burn.

In the Second Division, Whitley Sporting have opened a three-point lead after a George Pickford double gave them a 2-0 win at home to Jesmond.

Rothbury were held to a 1-1 draw at Cramlington United.

Goals from Dale Connor, Joe Warren, Adam Henson and Anthony Chapman gave Whitburn a 4-1 home win over midtable Ellington. Blyth fell to a 1-0 reverse at Burradon and Willington Quay Saints lost 4-0 at Coundon & Leeholme.

Goals from Kyle Stocks and Jack Sewell gave Wideopen to a 2-1 home win over Cramlington Town. Seaton Sluice drew 2-2 with Spittal Rovers, second-half efforts from Kyle Jeffery and Rhys Bloomfield in the final ten minutes cancelling out a firsthalf brace from Liam Bainbridge.