LEAGUE DIV TWO
THERE were poignant scenes in Division Two’s first game of the weekend at Willington on Friday.
The Hall Lane outfit showed their support to chairman Richard Treweman, who remains in hospital after taking ill during the Ernest Armstrong Memorial Cup semi-final at Chester-le-street Town two weeks ago.
Proceeds from a bucket collection and gate receipts from Friday night game against Esh Winning have been donated to Treweman’s family as the Northern League awaits further news on the health of a popular figure.
The points were shared on the pitch as an injury-time equaliser from Willington striker Dean Thexton cancelled out a first-half strike from Max Stoker.
Northallerton Town moved up to third in the table on Saturday as Aaron Ramsbottom and a Brennan Ball own-goal helped them to a 2-1 win at Easington Colliery.
Josh Home-jackson had got the Colliers back level on the stroke of half-time, but Ball’s own-goal helped Town claim all three points.
The meeting of two sides in the top five ended goalless as Heaton Stannington and Chester-lestreet Town failed to break the deadlock at Grounsell Park.
An Adam Preston hat-trick inspired Redcar Athletic to a 3-0 win at Bedlington Terriers and kept his side in sixth place in the table. Fellow top-six challengers Jarrow fell to a 3-1 defeat at Ryton and Crawcrook Albion.
Sam Norris put Albion ahead on 26 minutes and their lead was doubled by Scott Jasper midway through the second-half. Glen Hargrave pulled a goal back for Jarrow, but Jasper’s second of the day eased his side home.
Dan Kirkup, Matthew Pennal and Dale Milburn all found the net in Tow Law Town’s 3-0 home win against basement club Durham City.
All of the goals came in the first-half at Nissan Sports Complex as Washington were beaten by Billingham Synthonia.
Synners took an early lead with a goal from Connor Smith, but that was cancelled out on seven minutes by an equaliser from Dylan Quinn. But two quickfire goals from Tom Bligh and Louis Johnson gave Jamie Pollock’s side another win.
Matthew Hayton’s lead penalty earned West Allotment Celtic a 1-1 draw at Crook Town after Jake Petitjean’s early strike had put the hosts ahead.
Brandon United and Birtley Town shared the points, Ben Joyeux’s 20th-minute opener cancelled out by Daniel Hill’s goal 20 minutes into the second half.
MARK CARRUTHERS