Newbiggin through to second cup final of season

AFC Newbiggin and Newcastle East End will contest the Northumberland FA Stelrad Minor Cup following wins over West Moor & Jesmond, and Hexham, yesterday.

Simon Wilson’s successful Newbiggin side reached their second cup final this campaign (they’ll contest the Combination Cup on Wednesday night against Hebburn Town U23s) after goals from Stephen Lucas and Brad Higgins gave them a 2-1 home win.

Meanwhile Dan Johnstone’s Newcastle East End eased to victory away to Hexham, Jack Mcnally with a brace in a 4-1 win.

The Bay Plastics Premier Division produced interesting results, including defeats for two of the top four, leaders Killingworth losing 1-0 away to sixth-place Newcastle Chemfica, Euan Potts with the only goal 15 minutes from time, having been on the field less than a minute. Killy finished with 10 men.

Second-place Newcastle Blue Star also lost, falling to a 2-1 defeat when home to third-place Prudhoe Youth Club, the hosts finishing with nine men. Prudhoe narrowed the gap on second to a point.

Burradon & New Fordley dropped a place to fifth after they were held to a 1-1 draw away to Alnwick Town, and Winlaton Community came from two down to win 3-2 at home to Seaton Delaval.

Kieran Moat netted for the Ford in their draw, Michael Laws replying with 20 to go to earn a share of the spoils, while 17-year-old Winlaton keeper Joshua Richardson had a memorable debut, saving a penalty as his side came from two down to win, Ross Nicholson with a brace.

In the remaining Premier Division games, Wallington won 3-1 away to Gateshead Rutherford, Jack Palmer with a brace, while an early Phil Smith penalty gave Percy Main all three points with the only goal at home to Whitley Bay Reserves.

Cramlington United lead the Reeves Independent First Division by 11 from Bedlington, with third and fourth having games in hand. Cramlington, thanks to goals from David Robson, Billy Pullman and Daniel Lowther, won 3-0 at Whitburn, while Bedlington won by the same score when at Rothbury, Joe Thompson with a brace.

Third place Newcastle Independent edged visitors Forest Hall 3-2, while Connor Freestone bagged a hat-trick in Wallsend’s 5-0 win against Whitley Bay Sporting Club.

Willington Quay Saints were the big winners in the Team Valley Carpets Second Division, moving third after a 4-1 home win over Cullercoats Reserves. In the Bluefin Sport Insurance Third Division leaders Newbiggin Central won 8-1 at home to Blyth Town U23s and Ellington Development won by the same at home to Fawdon, with Red House Farm winning 5-1 away to Newcastle Independent Cabrito.