Plenty of goals and late drama in first round of League Cup

THE First Round of the Reeves Investment George Dobbins League Cup took place yesterday in the Bay Plastics Northern Alliance Football League, and there was the usual thrills, spills and shocks on show.

Newcastle Blue Star, and Burradon & New Fordley, both edged through on the back of 1-0 wins away to Willington Quay Saints, and home to Gosforth Bohemians Reserves respectively – Damian Stevens netted from the spot for Blue Star, and Sean Mcroberts fired late for the Ford.

Leaders Killingworth eased into the second round away to Hexham, as did Prudhoe Youth Club when at Bedlington United Sporting Club, Killy winning 4-1 as Michael Baxter grabbed a brace, while Prudhoe progressed 3-0 thanks to goals from Adam Bell, Sam Dibb Fuller, and Matthew Robinson.

Winlaton were made to battle in a seven-goal thriller against visitors Newcastle University A, winning 4-3 in extra time thanks to goals from Steven Aiston, Kyle Wharton, Jack Henderson, and a 121st-minute winner from Sean Best.

Newcastle Independent top-scored when they won 8-0 at Whitley Bay Sporting A, Andy Hall with three and Wilson Kneeshaw two, while their Carbito side won 4-1 at home to Whitley Sporting to also progress.

Bedlington went big at home to Ashington Reserves, hitting seven without reply as Andrew Mclennan notched three and Jack Smith two. Rob Ridley was at the double for Percy Main Amateurs as they defeated visitors Fawdon 6-1.

Ponteland scored five without reply at home to Seaton Sluice, all in the final 25 minutes, including a late hat-trick from Reece Havelockbrown; Stephen Lucas scored twice for Newbiggin as they defeated Blyth Town U23s 5-1, and Paul Dunn hit a treble in Rothbury’s 5-1 win when home to Whickham U23s.

Seaton Burn picked up a big win when home to Cullercoats, edging a five-goal game, while a Jacob Barker hat-trick in 20 late second-half minutes gave Stobswood the win at home to North Shields Athletic.

Hebburn U23s went through on penalties following a 3-3 draw at Newcastle East End, and Whitburn won 4-3 away to Wideopen.

Whitley Bay Reserves won 3-1 at North Sunderland, Ross Berkeley with an extra-time brace; Shay Dawson scored twice as Blaydon defeated Gosforth Bohemians 3-1; West Moor & Jesmond edged Heaton Stannington A 3-2; Alnwick Town won the “in-house” derby 2-1 (on Frida), and there were narrow wins from Newbiggin Central, Gateshead Rutherford, Haltwhistle, Walker Central, and Wallsend.

In the Team Valley Carpets Second Division league, Newcastle Blue Star Reserves moved to sixth with a 2-1 win away to Cullercoats Reserves.