Fogbound Easington miss out on four-point lead in title race
Easington Colliery missed the chance to move four points clear at the top of Ebac Northern League Division Two last night – as fog and a floodlight failure hit.
The Colliers’ home clash with newcomers Blyth Town was abandoned five minutes into the second half.
Easington were leading at the time, thanks to a goal from Ian Redman midway through the first half, but it will not go into the record books following the abandonment.
The fog was thick even before the start, making conditions difficult for both teams.
Tomorrow, Colliery – managed by Paul Frame and Craig Parkinson – are at home again, with Billingham Town the visitors.
Easington have won five out of five in the league to spark real hope of promotion to the top flight. Secretary Billy Banks said: “It’s a great start, but there is a very long way to go. The management team are delighted at present.”
Tow Law entertain Whickham in a battle of fifth versus fourth, while Durham City will look to build on their midweek triumph at Esh Winning when they tackle Heaton Stannington at Consett.
Crook Town, with just one win in six games, are at home to Alnwick, while Willington are favourites to beat pointless visitors Esh Winning.
Blyth Town head to Thornaby, with manager Mick Connors saying that the team is on its way back to full strength.
Second-top Stockton Town, a point behind Easington but having played a game more, have an intriguing derby at Norton and Stockton Ancients.
Holidaying captain Stephen Roberts is the only absentee, while Tom Coulthard returned for the midweek win at Willington, while Dylan McAvoy is pro- gressing well and is back into the squad.
Scott Oliver has performed a surprise U-turn and decided to return as Hebburn Town manager.
Oliver quit last week after saying he felt drained and had stopped enjoying the job.
Assistant Chris Thompson took control last weekend. However, with Thompson unavailable for the midweek game against Billingham Synthonia, Oliver took the reins.
And after the 2-2 draw, he met with the club’s committee and decided to return permanently. Oliver said: “I took the team on Wednesday night as Chris Thompson was on holiday and after meeting with the commitee we have agreed that I will carry on.
“For a start, I didn’t want the club to go to Billingham with no managerm but the support of the players the last few days has been very humbling.
“I signed all the players and I couldn’t shake the feeling of letting them down.”
Hebburn host Bedlington Terriers tomorrow. Channon North, Jason Blackburn and Ross Toward return to the squad.
In Division One, Ryhope CW could not face a harder task than visiting defending champions Shildon, who have made a positive start to the season.
Gary Pearson’s side definItely miss skipper Nath- an O’Neill and striker Joey Melvin, who are on holiday, and Kyle Davis is playing cricket.
There will be late fitness tests for Stephen Francis, Leon Ryan, Richie Paxton and Elliott Woods.
Washington, boosted by their FA Cup replay success at Pickering Town in midweek but looking for a first league victory, head south again for a tricky clash at Marske United.
Third-top Whitley Bay entertain sixth-placed neighbours North Shields, while fifth-bottom West Auckland host Dunston UTS and fourthplaced Consett visit Newton Aycliffe.
Ashington host Guisborough, with keeper Conor Grant and midfielder Scott Blandford back. However, Craig Scott, Ryan Bell and Ben Harmison are all ruled out, while James Harmison, Wayne Buchanan and Ben Christensen need fitness checks.