PONTELAND United visited Harraby Catholic Club, a team Pont hadn't beaten on their own patch since the Cumbrians joined the Northern Alliance League, writes Bill Gardner.

Both sides had good opportunities to get off the mark with Harraby's Steve Archibald seeing his drive palmed round the post by keeper Michael Havelock and Sean Willis bringing a good save out of Andy Casson at the other end.

Half-time arrived with the game still scoreless although Harraby had enjoyed most of the possession.

Chances became scarcer after the break but the best fell to Pont's Andrew Davidson who fired wildly over the bar from Liam McIvor's cross when the goal was at his mercy.

With 20 minutes remaining, there was a flash point and a robust challenge by McIvor on the home side's Dan Wordsworth resulted in a melee and the sending off of both players. Ponteland then had the better of later exchanges and just after Billy Holden's shot smacked the crossbar they grabbed the only goal of the game.

The 80th minute winner was scored by substitute Max Turner, who hammered a low cross from Dean Gate past helpless keeper Casson. And the 1-0 victory was welcomed by a Ponteland side that had just drawn three games on the trot.

Premier Division pace-setters Walker Central and Wark went into their respective home games with identical playing records and remarkably they both suffered 2-1 defeats to leave things unchanged.

Walker suffered the most unlikely setback as lowly visitors Newcastle University recorded their first victory of the season to get themselves off the bottom rung. After trailing to a Paul Mills opener for Walker at the interval, they had Will Deledicq bagging a brace in the 73rd and 86th minutes.

Wark had Daniel Carter on target against Heaton Stannington but their eight-match unbeaten run was ended and they lost at home for the first time this term. Fourth-placed Heaton extended their own successful run thanks to goals both claimed by Gary Yates.

In third spot, Carlisle City were boosted by the setbacks suffered by the joint leaders and they narrowed the points gap by winning 4-2 at home to Cramlington Town. Ollie Driver netted twice for City in the opening half but Cramlington rallied with replies from Stuart Heppell and Andrew Carr restoring parity.

Cramlington deserved a share of the spoils in a game marred by the brandishing of eight yellow cards – five for Crammy and three for City – but Carlisle surged ahead again with further strikes by Carl Armstrong and Scott Priest wrapping up the points.

Killingworth Sporting still have aspirations in the title race and they secured only their second away win, beating Seaton Delaval 3-2 at Wheatridge Park.

Delaval went into a clear lead with strikes by Stephen Ardley and Michael Fenwick midway through the first half. Killy's Francesco Di Pietro and Kevin Westphal hit back just before half-time and their winner was put away by Jorge Bollado shortly after the change-over to leave Delaval rueing a fourth successive defeat.

Stocksfield climbed into the top half of the table with a 1-0 victory over hosts Shankhouse which avenged their 4-1 defeat in the reverse fixture.

After winning their two previous games, Shankhouse were sunk in this one by a Josh Brooks goal for their visitors after 38 minutes.

Heddon are still waiting for their first win at Bullocksteads after being beaten 3-1 by Ashington Colliers.

An early brace for Scott Smith gave the Colliers a boost and, although Ian McElroy quickly replied for Heddon, Ashington's tally was topped up in the second half by Glen Bolton.

Murton finally ended a dismal run with a 2-1 victory at home to Alnwick Town after their visitors had been fired into a fifth minute lead by Tom Vickers. With time running out, Chris Wilson opened Murton's account and in the dying seconds he scored his vital second goal.

DIVISION ONE

GATESHEAD Rutherford are four points clear at the head of the first division but with games in hand both Percy Main and Amble United are putting the pressure on.

All three title contenders won at the weekend and Rutherford passed another major test.

Unbeaten in their last nine games and still unbeaten at home the Gateshead lads beat in-form visitors Morpeth Sporting Club 2-1 with the final score flattering their opponents. Andrew Reay fired Rutherford into an interval lead which was wiped out by Morpeth's Michael Dixon straight after the break.

There was a series of misses by the league leaders before Kevin Urwin claimed their 83rd minute winner with his header from a right wing corner.

Second-placed Percy Main have a 100 per cent record at Purvis Park and extended it by beating South Shields United 2-0. It took only nine minutes for the Main to go in front and, following indecision by the visiting keeper and his full-back, Chris Lock netted from close range.

The Shieldsmen battled hard to try to get back on terms but the Villagers' lead was doubled after 57 minutes. Player-manager Jason Ritchie scored from approaching 40 yards with his left foot to make the points secure.

A week off didn't have any effect on Amble United's determination and the Seasiders marked their return to action with a 5-1 victory away to Newcastle East End.

Brent Aisbitt opened United's account in the first half but straight after the interval Anthony Johnson levelled for the East Enders.

In the last half-hour, however, Amble's pressure paid off in the shape of further goals supplied by substitute Darren Riddell (two), Greg Dance (penalty) and Paul White.

Whitley Bay A's chances of closing the gap on the top three suffered a blow when they were beaten 2-1 by hosts Chopwell Officials who had lost their three previous games at Welfare Park.

Two goals put away by Daniel Johnson changed Chopwell's fortunes with the Bay only managing a token reply by Ian Lee.

Peterlee Town, now in sixth spot, are proving to be successful travellers and they've won five of their six away games so far.

The Newtowners continued the trend with a 5-2 victory over lowly hosts Berwick United with four of their goals scored by Elliott McGiade. The fifth was claimed by Louis Smith with Berwick's two replies coming from Paul Richardson and Craig Heugh.

Cullercoats are staging a remarkable recovery, suffering only one defeat in their last nine outings and they hammered struggling visitors Seaton Burn 6-0 to stay on course. Stewart Wright and Steve Hart bagged a brace each and the Cullercoats tally was completed by Sean Smith and Rob Watson.

Wallington became the latest tormentors of Gosforth Bohemians who have lost six league games on the trot and were beaten 3-2 at Scots Gap.

Ashley McAlpine (two) and Michael Freathy were Wallington's marksmen, with Paul Menton and Harry Tulip scoring for the losers.

With only one win to their credit and perching on the bottom rung, Northbank parted company with manager Stuart Darlington before losing again, 4-3 at home to Hebburn Reyrolle. Hebburn's scorers were Simon Jacobs (two), Chris Morris and Dan Matthews. Jonathan Mason, Luke Barwick and Jack Twentyman replied for the Cumbrians who have had absolutely no luck in this campaign.

DIVISION TWO

ONLY a single point is separating leaders Amble from second-placed Wideopen and District at the top of the second division table, but both have been inconsistent lately and North Shields Athletic are coming up on the rails.

Amble have picked up only a single point from three recent outings and could only draw 0-0 with hosts Hexham who are proving difficult to beat at Wentworth Park. And Wideopen and District fared even worse when beaten 4-2 at home by Wallsend Town.

After losing three consecutive games, the Town were determined to make their mark in this one and in a physical encounter came out on top thanks to Ryan Arnott's hat-trick and another goal for Paul McCutcheon. Replies from Liam Jubb and Martin Roper couldn't save Wideopen.

North Shields Athletic consolidated their position in third spot although they've played a game more than their top-of-the-table rivals.
Following a brief lean spell, the Athletic are back to winning ways and comfortably beat hosts Cramlington Blue Star 3-0.

Their first half scorer was Jonathan Greaves and, after the break, Graham Williams bagged a brace which included a penalty.

Games in hand are promising Stobswood Welfare a future starring role in the race for promotion and they've won their last seven games in the Second Division.

In-form visitors Forest Hall with a 10 match unbeaten run were expected to give the Welfare a hard time but the Stobswood lads emerged as 2-0 victors with both of their goals tucked away in the opening half by Matthew Graham.

Newcastle Chemfica leapfrogged Forest Hall into fifth spot and picked up their first points away from home by beating bottom rung opponents Tynemouth United 3-1.

Although Tynemouth's Chris Grieves managed to cancel out Mike Smith's opener, Chemfica's lead was restored by Dean Calvert and Mark Burlingston also netted to complete the scoring.

Swalwell recorded their second home win and scored the weekend's quickest goal when Jonnie Graham netted only a half a minute into their game with Cullercoats Custom Planet.

Graham's second goal plus Chris Smith's strike earned Swalwell an eventual 3-1 verdict with Andrew McCartney claiming the Planet's consolation goal.

Newcastle BT are enjoying themselves much more in this campaign as they strive for a place in the top half of the table and a 3-1 win away to Wallsend Boys Club was quite impressive.

BT's second win on their travels was achieved with goals scored by Richard Beverley (two) and Dan Sherliker. Rob Nolan was the Boys Club's lone marksman and they've only earned a single point from four recent games.

Whitley Bay Town seem on the way to solving some of their problems and a 2-2 draw with visitors Willington Quay Saints was well-earned.
After David Smith put the Saints in front at half-time the Town hit back through Ben Kiddie and Andy Laird to snatch the lead. But in the 80th minute Wes Fidler's goal earned Willington a share of the spoils.


Fixtures

Saturday (14.15pm)

Premier Division:

Alnwick Town v Harraby Catholic
Ashington Colliers v Murton
Blyth Town v Walker Central
Cramlington Town v Wark
Heaton Stannington v Carlisle City
Newcastle University v Killingworth Sporting
Ponteland United v Seaton Delaval
Stocksfield v Heddon

Division One:

Newcastle East End v Northbank
Peterlee Town v Cullercoats
South Shields United v Percy Main.


Division Two:

Swalwell v Willington Quay Saints

Kicks Leisure League Cup (Round Two, 13.45pm)

Whitley Bay A v Shankhouse.

Ideal Stelrad NFA Minor Cup
(Northern Alliance Involvement) (Round Two, 13.30pm)

Amble v Newcastle Diggers United
Amble United v Tynemouth United
Bamburgh Castle v Forest Hall
Belford v Wallsend Boys Club
Berwick Town v Morpeth Sporting Club
Blyth Town Reserves v Wideopen and District
Cramlington Blue Star v Berwick United
Gosforth Bohemians v Tyne View of Blakelaw
Newcastle Pin Point v Stobswood Welfare
Rothbury v Newcastle Chemfica
Seaton Burn v Newcastle Rushworth and Diamonds
Walker Central Reserves v Hexham
Wallington v North Shields Athletic
Wallsend Town v Newcastle Chemfica A
Whitley Bay Town v Springhill Berwick
Wooler v Newcastle BT