Northern title champions crowned in dramatic day

IT was a dramatic final Saturday of the Northern League season yesterday, with several high-profile games taking place across the region.

Newton Aycliffe were officially crowned as Division One champions at Penrith, Bishop Auckland hosted Ashington as second place was up for grabs and the top tier relegation battle came to a climax.

In Division Two, the top two met in a winner takes all clash as Horden CW travelled to leaders Boro Rangers knowing a win was needed to clinch the title.

Here is how the day panned out across the region as the emotions were polarised and a long season came to an eventful end in both divisions.

● 3.31pm: Sunderland RCA took another hit in their bid to stay in the first division. Michael Mcgee finished first time for Guisborough to give RCA even more of an uphill battle.

● 3.32pm: Another opening goal followed shortly after at the top end of the first division. Robbie Dale brought down Bishop’s Dean Thexton in the box, and Craig Gott stepped up and sent Karl Dryden the wrong way to move the hosts into second.

● 3.33pm: On the front foot, Boro Rangers had two bites of the cherry in one fell swoop. The first from Jack Guy, which was blocked by Kieran Campbell. The follow-up by Harry Williams was

● 4.26pm: Another penalty and another twist at the top of the first division. Ashington’s Andrew Cartwright stepped up and scored to put his side back in the driving seat.

With only pride to play for in Cumbria, Newton Aycliffe failed to put in a performance fit for a champion as they lost 3-1 to Penrith.

Aycliffe ended the campaign three points clear of Ashington, with their double over the Colliers proving vital. Not that they will mind though with a trophy lift on the final day as they look forward to the NPL East next season.

Ashington will hope to join them, with a win required in next week’s interstep play-off.

■ Newton Aycliffe are crowned Division One winners PIC: Yvonne Wood ● 3.10pm: Relegation-threatened Pickering wasted no time in moving out of the bottom zone after an early opener from Keelan Grist put them in front against West Auckland Town, moving them clear on goals scored. ● 3.15pm: Boro Rangers appealed for a penalty after a challenge between Daniel Lofts and Horden goalkeeper Craig Foster, but a corner was given. ● 3.24pm: To the misery of Sunderland RCA, Grist grabbed his and Pickering’s second of the day. ■ Boro Rangers celebrate Division Two title win also stopped, and this time cleared. ● 3.47pm: Rangers were rewarded for their hard work with a penalty in added time. Ben Turner was fouled and Matty Bell converted with the final kick of the half. ● Half time across the region and every side involved has changed positions. Bishops, Boro Rangers and Pickering moving up to spite Ashington, Horden and Sunderland RCA. ● 4.10pm: A penalty late in the first half, and an early red in the second was suffered by Horden. Marc Ellison received his marching orders six minutes into the half. ● 4.14pm: The post is all that stopped Larkin levelling it for RCA after rounding Guisborough’s goalkeeper. RCA themselves conceded. Cole Kiernan doubled Guisborough Town’s lead. ● 4.34pm: Boro Rangers deal another blow to Jonny Payne’s 10-men. Guy doubled his sides lead, after turning home an unselfish pass from substitute Thomas Bligh. ● 4.49pm: The title race was over 15 minutes later. Matty Lovatt headed home a free-kick at the far post to make it 3-0. ● 5.02pm: The final full-time whistle at Heritage Park cemented the results. Ashington finished in the play-off spot, as did Horden with Boro Rangers winning the league. They will join Pickering who avoided relegation on the final day, to the demise of Sunderland RCA.