It is business as usual after FA Bowl glory
AFTER the end-of-week cup finals, – congratulations to Wallington (Northumberland FA Benevolent Bowl winners, 3-0 versus AFC Newbiggin) – it was business as usual in the Bay Plastics Northern Alliance on Saturday afternoon.
The Benevolent Bowl victors were in action at Haltwhistle Jubilee in the Premier Division, whilst Newbiggin were on the road at Hebburn Town Reserves with the season heading towards its conclusion.
Both the Bowl finalists however suffered final hangovers. The league leaders lost a seven-goal thriller, Dan Kirkup (Haltwhistle) and Jordan Nellis (Wallington, scoring twice in the Bowl final, bagging braces for their respective clubs, whilst Jubilee fell to an early, Alfa Djalo goal in Hebburn.
Alnwick meanwhile have moved within a point of Wallington after they won 3-0 against Newcastle Chemfica, whilst finishing with ten men, goals coming from Euan Potts, Jamie Clarke and Kai Slinn.
There there were victories elsewhere from Cramlington United, 4-2 against Gateshead Rutherford, and Killingworth, 3-0 against Newcastle Independent,
The two remaining Premier Division games finished in draws as Ponteland United and West Moor & Jesmond finished 2-2, and it was 1-1 between Stobswood Welfare and Percy Main Amateurs.
Gosforth Bohemians took over top spot in the Reeves Independent First Division following a comfortable 8-1 win away to Whitley Bay Reserves as Finlay Gibson and Joe Hughes both bagged braces, and Newcastle East End strengthened their hopes of a top three finish after Andrew Patterson bagged a hat-trick in their 5-1 win away to Newcastle Blue Star U23s.
Robbie Shaw scored twice for Willington Quay Saints as they won 4-2 at home to Bedlington whilst Whitburn & Cleadon won 2-0 at Newcastle Benfield Reserves, and Wideopen won 2-1 at home to Rothbury.
Victory for Wallsend Boys Club, coupled with defeat for Blyth Town Reserves, jumped into second place in the Team Valley Carpets Second Division, the former winning 4-3 at home to North Sunderland, and the latter lost 3-0 away to Walker Central. Whitley Bay Sporting Club won 3-0 at home to Cullercoats in the other game in the division.
Only two games were finished in the Marsh Sports Insurance Third Division as Gosforth Bohemians Reserves won 1-0 at home to Wideopen Reserves and Jamie Best’s hat-trick wasn’t enough for Whitley Bay Sporting A, they losing 4-3 away to Gateshead Redheugh, Daniel Curry with a brace for the victors.