Northern Alliance review

Mar 6 2011 Sunday Sun

HARRY TULIP netted a late winner as Ponteland United moved level on points with Alnwick Town at the top – but they were given a massive scare by bottom side Murton.

Quick-fire goals from Karl Garside and Gav Nesbitt put Murton 2-0 up in 11 minutes and although Andrew Davidson pulled one back, Paul Wintrip restored the two-goal advantage in the 32nd minute.

John Dunn fired in to get United back in it and Sean Willis levelled five minutes before the break in a breathless first half.

There were no further goals until Tulip popped up to secure the three points.

Unbeaten Alnwick have a game in hand but they were twice pegged back by third-placed visitors Carlisle City in an open and entertaining game.

Tom Vickers shot Alnwick ahead in the second minute but City levelled through Steven Rooke just two minutes later.

Vickers restored the Town advantage in the 24th minute but Carl Murphy equalised in the 57th minute.

After conceding six at home last weekend, Stocksfield shut up shop but it was probably against the run of play when Wayne Stewart shot the Griffins ahead at Percy Main in the 64th minute.

Main sub Michael Bowman raced on to a Michael Morien through ball to round the keeper and slide in the leveller in the 75th minute.

Daniel Chambers netted a late leveller for Shankhouse as they came from two goals down to secure a point at Harraby. The Cumbrians were in control as Dan Balmer drove in a low opener in the 38th minute and Ryan Errington lobbed in the second from 20 yards just a couple of minutes later.

But Michael Bell took advantage of a defensive mix-up to give Shankhouse a lifeline in the 73rd minute and Chambers smashed a half-volley into the roof of the net with five minutes to go as Harraby only half-cleared a corner.

Gateshead Rutherford and Seaton Delaval Amateurs also shared the points in a 2-2 draw. David Loughlin and Joseph Hindmarsh were on target for Rutherford, with Stephen Howes and Paul Hodge replying for the visitors.

Cramlington Town stormed into a two goal lead at Blyth Town with Dan Neary and Keiron Parsons on target, but they were reduced to ten men just after the break and paid a heavy price.

Jonny Mann pulled one back for Blyth in the 52nd minute and Tom Haigh netted the leveller in the 69th. Jeff Fuller made it 3-2 in the 74th minute and Neil Blades completed an amazing turnaround with number four nine minutes from time.

Kevin Grahamslaw shot Killingworth Sporting ahead at Ashington Colliers on the hour and they secured the three points with a second from Craig Harley four minutes from time.

Walker Central will meet Seaton Delaval Amateurs in the semi-final of the Northumberland FA Senior benevolent Bowl as they beat Heaton Stannington 2-0.

Heaton had a player sent off in the physical encounter before Grant Kershaw shot Walker ahead in the 70th minute. Veteran Ryan Monaghan added number two ten minutes later.