Non-League Football
EBAC NORTHERN LEAGUE
HEATON Stannington manager Dean Nicholson hailed his players after they secured a Division One play-off place with a goalless draw at Guisborough Town.
The two sides failed to break the deadlock over a hard-fought 90 minutes at the KGV Stadium but it meant little to Nicholson as his side became the first in the Stan’s history to secure a play-off spot in the Northern League’s top tier.
Speaking after the game, he told The Journal: “I said after the game we have hit our first goal and now we want to achieve a home tie.
“We said can we better last year, which we have, but I didn’t expect a play-off place. To do this is huge and whatever happens now is a bonus because they’ve all earned the right to be there.” Joseph Bartliff was the hat-trick hero for leaders Bishop Auckland as they took a big step towards the league title with a 4-1 win at Carlisle City. The Two-Blues now lie three points ahead in the top of the table and still hold two games in hand over second-placed Shildon.
The Railwaymen kept the title race alive as an Andrei Ardelean brace helped Chris Hughes’ side to a 2-0 win at Birtley Town, and a Josh Scott hat-trick inspired West Auckland Town to victory at Whitley Bay. Elsewhere, Jamie O’Brien and Jeremie Anderson Da Costa netted as Tow Law Town came out on top in the battle of the bottom two with a 2-0 win against managerless
Sunderland RCA. Boro Rangers remain on the fringes of the play-off battle after a 3-1 home win against Crook Town, and a goal in each half from Kevin Burgess and Adam Boyes helped Redcar Athletic to a 2-0 win at out-of-form Newcastle Benfield.
Seaham Red Star and Northallerton Town failed to break the deadlock, and goals from Euan Anderson and Matty Telfer helped North Shields to a hard-earned 2-0 win at Penrith.
The spoils were shared in the battle of the top two as already crowned champions Blyth Town and Newcastle Blue Star battled to a 2-2 draw at Gateway Park.
Easington Colliery lie in third place in the table as they came out on top at Ryton and Crawcrook Albion in a game where all three goals game in the final 15 minutes.
It was the visitors that took the honours at Kingsley Park as Mark Davison and Kevin Pearn found the net either side of an equaliser from Rhys McLeod.
Horden CW boosted their hopes of landing a play-off spot as they won a sevengoal thriller at Billingham Town.
Braces from Liam Wright and Jack Pounder helped the Marras claim the points as two goals from Euan McBride and a Harry Close penalty went without reward for their hosts.
Bedlington Terriers also stayed in the top five despite only claiming a point in their goalless draw at Esh Winning.
Billingham Synthonia remained on the edge of the play-off spots after they romped to an 8-2 win at Brandon United.
Matty Wilshaw led the way for Synners with a hat-trick, while Joe Scaife Wheatley and Luke Hogan both scored twice and Johnny Peacock was also on target.
Boldon CA earned a point at Prudhoe YC as a Robbie Gateshill penalty cancelled out an opener from Brad Marston, and Josh Marshall’s brace and a Cameron Wild goal gave Yarm and Eaglescliffe a 3-1 win at Chester-le-Street Town.
Carl Williams plundered his way to a hat-trick in Redcar Town’s 5-1 hammering of Jarrow, while Sunderland West End shared the points with a 1-1 draw against Newcastle University.