EBAC NORTHERN LEAGUE
BLYTH Town manager Michael Connor set his sights on more success after his side were crowned as champions of Division Two after securing all three points in their visit to play-off contenders Horden CW.
Michael Connor’s men travelled to Welfare Park knowing a point would see them secure the title and earn promotion into Division One - but they produced a dominant display to romp to the points and allow the celebrations to get underway.
A Dan Wilson penalty put Town in front just after the midway point of the first-half and second-half strikes from Louis Calvert, Evan Fogarty and Brandon Slater saw the Northumberland outfit clinch their promotion.
Manager Michael Connor has already revealed the planning process for the new season is underway as he gave an insight into the ambitions held at Gateway Park.
He said: “We have already started looking at options, what do we need to take us to the next level.
“Our chairman Scott Douglas wants us in the play-offs next season. You take Dan (Wilson), Damo (Mullen) and Robbie (Dale) out of it and we have quite a young team.
“Some in their late teens or early 20s so there’s potential there. Everything is run right. Could we do with a few more through the gate? Yes. Are there ideas of extending the stadium? Yes. We are looking at a 3G pitch and the people behind us want to keep pushing on.”
Two goals from James Fairley proved to be the inspiration for Easington Colliery’s 3-2 win at Newcastle University.
Josh Larkin matched Fairley’s achievement as he scored twice in Yarm and Eaglescliffe’s 3-1 home win against Brandon United.
A Luke Hogan goal helped Billingham Synthonia battle back from conceding to an own goal from Jamie McLeod in their 1-1 draw with Esh Winning and FC Hartlepool and Sunderland West End failed to trouble the scorers at Grayfields.
An equaliser from Robbie Gateshill helped Boldon CA to a 1-1 home draw with Thornaby after Luca Nelson had put the hosts in front and Carl Williams and Jonathan Algie netted to give Redcar Town a 2-1 home win against Ryton and Crawcrook Albion.
Shildon remain at the top of the Division One table after Andrei Ardelean’s hat-trick inspired their home win with Birtley Town - but the Railwaymen were kept under pressure as second placed Bishop Auckland battled to a 3-2 home win against Whickham.
Heaton Stannington remained firmly in the play-off race with a 4-2 home win against North Shields despite being reduced to ten men with just six minutes on the clock.
Two Callum Martin penalties and a Dan Mitton own-goal helped Guisborough Town keep alive their play-off hopes with a 3-1 win at Crook Town and Callum Larmouth hit a hat-trick as West Allotment Celtic romped to a big win over Tow Law Town in their first game since manager Jay Bates confirmed he will leave the club at the end of the season.
There was another heavy defeat for bottom of the table Sunderland RCA as Penrith claimed a 7-0 win.