Students are still leading by example

NEWCASTLE University increased their lead to 11 points, while it’s a three-way battle for second.

The Students claimed a 4-1 win at Whitley Bay A, Timmy Browne with a brace whilst Keith Douglas and Rui Martinez also netting.

Newcastle Blue Star slipped to a 2-0 reverse at Gateshead Reserves, Brandon Slater and Jack Warriner the men on target.

Killingworth moved above Blue Star on goal difference after they laboured to a 2-0 win at home to Ponteland, a second-half own-goal and a Konner Lamb effort separating the two sides.

Wallington moved level with Killy and Blue Star after Kyle Reardon bagged the only goal of the game away to Shankhouse.

Goals from James Norton and Graham Barber gave Gateshead Rutherford a 2-1 home win over Alnwick Town, Scott Maddison replying, while a late Fergus Lynch brace plus efforts from Steve Mclaughlin, Chris Homans and Garrick Murphy saw Newcastle Chemfica win 5-0 at FC United of Newcastle.

Hat-tricks from Paul Collinson and Marcelinho Junior featured in 4-1 home wins for Percy Main Amateurs and North Shields Athletic respectively; Mark Mcdonnell notched the other in Mains’ win over Seaton Delaval, Paul Blackett with the reply.

Phil Watson added Athletic’s fourth against New Fordley, Graham Cairns replying.

Blyth Town maintained their challenge for the First Division title with a 4-0 win at Gosforth Bohemians, as local rivals Blyth Spartans Reserves dropped points in a 2-2 draw away to Winlaton Vulcans and Bedlington fell to a 4-1 reverse at Forest Hall, where Jack Pinchen and Joe Thompson both netted braces.

Laws got a brace as Cullercoats won 4-0 at home to Longbenton as did Mabunu in Hexham’s 3-2 win away to Seaton Burn.

Second-half efforts from Adam Greenwood and Ben Bloomer gave Prudhoe Youth Club all three points at home to Newcastle East End, and a second-half hat-trick from John Hobbs featured in Hebburn U23s 5-0 win over visitors Felling Magpies, Logan Powell adding a brace for good measure.

The Second Division title race remains a close affair after the top three all picked up big wins.

George Pickford scored twice in Whitley Sporting Club’s 5-1 win at Ellington, his side’s lead at the top now three points.

Michael Old and Kyle Smith both notched braces in a 6-1 home win for Rothbury over Wideopen. Whitburn, in third spot, won 5-0 at Gateshead Redheugh, Dale Connor and George Hannant scoring braces.

PETER MANN