Northumbria made to work hard for victory

Nov 27 2011 Sunday Sun

TEAM Northumbria maintained a six-point lead but they had to work hard for victory over Brandon United.

Jack Palmer headed them into the lead on 16 minutes and it was not until 15 minutes from the end that Dean Critchlow past goalkeeper Andrew Wilkinson for the crucial second goal.

Esh Winning eased past lowly Whitehaven for whom Adam Johnson conceded an own goal when under pressure from Craig Coates. Coates was then the provider for Craig Mickle to make it two, and a minute from time Coates was again in the thick of the action, completing a 3-0 victory with a close-range effort.

Despite leading for an hour courtesy of Andy Hay, third-placed North Shields had to settle for a point at Chester-le-Street for whom Scott Swanson headed in wide of goalkeeper Michael Robinson.

Darlington RA are fourth but much improved Seaham Red Star took them to the wire. James Edison broke the deadlock on 61 minutes and three minutes later Seaham trailed by two goals as Nick Harrison headed home.

With four minutes remaining Jonathan Monaghan threw Red Star a lifeline but RA held on.

West Allotment Celtic are also very much in the promotion race but after establishing a three-goal lead, only just beat Birtley Town. Paul Kane converted a 26th-minute penalty and Shaun Reid headed into the roof of the net two minutes later.

When he was again on target it looked all over for Birtley, but after Craig Marron cut his side’s deficit from the spot, Matthew Hornsby made it 3-2 with four minutes left on the clock.

At the other end of the table, Easington Colliery crashed to a 7-1 defeat at Crook Town who were five goals up at the interval. Kevin Devine (2), Richard Hodgson, Brian Fairhurst, Kyle Davis, Robbie Bird and Graeme Liddle were all on target with Easington’s only reply credited to Chris Tarn.

Liam McBryde tapped in from close range and Adam Rowntree equalised for Ryton and Crawcrook Albion, who were in with a chance of taking a point before McBryde headed in the winner just before the end.

Carl Chillingsworth (2) and Dan Clayton earned Northallerton Town an easy victory at home to Alnwick Town, while Morpeth Town shared the points in an eight-goal end-to-end contest at Thornaby. Graeme Bavistock, Daniel Lofts, Craig Skelton (pen) and Marcus Lang netted for the hosts with Stephen Anderson (2), David Dormond and Chris Lunn replying for the Northumbrians.

On Friday night Washington came from behind to defeat Whickham 3-1 at The Glebe thanks to Chris Tate, Ben Richardson and John Wears.