South Shields clinch promotion and world record

They clinched promotion in front of a 1575 crowd because they are guaranteed a place in the top three and they’re well on course for a quadruple of honours, with appearances in the finals of the FA Vase, Durham Challenge Cup and Northern League Cup to come.

And they’ve also now set a world record of 31 consecutive victories in all competitions.

Joint manager Graham Fenton said; “Before the final whistle we knew that we had the cushion of a goal, and then we heard that Shildon had dropped points, so we were delighted at getting our first goal of the season, which was promotion, in the bag. It was a tough game, because both sides were full of commitment.

“After the sending off of Julio Arca, things changed, and we had to show big character and the lads were tremendous.

“If we win our next two games, then we’ll win the title.”

Both sides went close, before South Shields took the lead on 23 minutes, when David Foley picked the ball up on the edge of the North Shields box, and hit a 25 yarder that went over the head of keeper Kyle Hayes into the net.

They nearly went 2-0 up when Foley chipped the keeper, but the ball was cleared off the line.

However, skipper Julio Arca was dismissed for two yellows in the space of a few minutes on the hour, then Dan Wilson and Kevin Hughes went close for North Shields, but South Shields held on for victory, and the promotion celebrations started when news filtered through of Shildon’s draw at Jarrow Roofing.

North Shields manager Jon McDonald said; “It was a game with few goalscoring opportunities for both sides. I felt we had the momentum once South Shields went down to ten men, but lacked a cutting edge to make it count. We will look to finish strong with our final two games of the season at home.”

Morpeth are still in pursuit in third place, beating Seaham Red Star 3-1 away from home.

Seaham took an early lead when Robbie Bird scored from a long clearance by keeper Shaun Newbrook, but Morpeth equalised when Keith Graydon scored from the spot after Liam Henderson was fouled.

Ben Sayer then intercepted a poor pass in the Seaham defence and scored the second, and Graydon fired the third before half time.

Morpeth manager Nick Gray said; “It was a good solid performance from the lads.”

South Shields won promotion because fourth placed Shildon drew 1-1 at Jarrow Roofing.

Shildon played well in the first half and took the lead when Billy Greulich-Smith chipped keeper Lewis Brass from outside the box, but Roofing improved after half time. Dennis Knight hit the bar, before Chris Winn headed in a Knight free kick with ten minutes left.

Jarrow Roofing manager Richie McLoughlin said; “We should have won. We had a great second half and had lots of chances.”

Shildon manager Danny Moore said; “We dominated the game, but didn’t take our chances, and conceded from another setpiece.”

Marske United are looking good for fifth after they beat Sunderland RCA 3-2, although they were 3-0 up at one stage.

They got off to a great start with goals by Aaron Ramsbottom and Reece Kelly in the first ten minutes, then on the half hour Danny Earl lobbed the keeper for his 28th league goal of the season.

Marske keeper Robbie Deane then saved a penalty by Colin Larkin before half time, but he had no chance when Jonny Butler scored.

Deane made some good saves in the second half, but RCA pulled another goal back through Greg Swansbury.

Marske manager Carl Jarrett said; “It was a good three points. The game should have been dead and buried before half time with the chances we had but they scored right on half time which completely changed the game. RCA came out second half much the better team and if it wasn’t for Robbie Deane in goal we wouldn’t have won the game.”

How many clubs go down has yet to be decided because of South Shields’ promotion, but Washington and Guisborough are doing their best to make sure they don’t finish third bottom.

Fourth bottom Washington won 4-2 at Ashington for only their away win of the season.

They outplayed Ashington in the first half, scoring four times through Robbie Williamson, Rhys Evans (2) and Matty Waters, but Ashington hit back in the second half with goals by Ryan McCorrigan and Ben Harmison.

Guisborough won their fourth successive game thanks to a 1-0 win at second bottom West Allotment.

Guisborough keeper Tom Dawson kept his side in the game with a good early save from Shaun Reay, and in the second half Paul Stoneman hit the bar for Allotment.

But the game turned in Guisborough’s favour on 68 minutes when Steve Roberts ran on to a headed clearance and scored with a low shot from the edge of the penalty area.

Allotment are now nine points adrift of Guisborough with only three games remaining.

Guisborough manager Gary Forster said; “I’m delighted with the result to keep our form going. It was a good tight game, separated with a goal of real quality. Big weekend for us over Easter.”

West Allotment manager Paul Stoneman said; “We’re gutted, simple as that. We let ourselves down today.”

West Auckland have suddenly been sucked back into the relegation fight after they were beaten 4-0 at Whitley Bay, and they are now just a point above Washington.

After a goalless first half, Whitley took the lead on 56 minutes when Kyle Patton dribbled through the West defence and beat the keeper, then he scored his second from an Alex Kempster assist. He completed an 11 minute hat trick after Callum Patton’s shot was blocked. Peter Glen-Ravenhill then tapped in the fourth.

Whitley Bay assistant manager Anthony Woodhouse said; “We were awful in the first half, but we changed shape in the second half and comfortably finished West off. West were a physical side who came to try and influence us but failed.”

Bishop Auckland drew their final home game of the season by 1-1 against Dunston UTS.

Dunston took the lead midway through the first half with a header by Dan Halliday from a right wing cross, but Bishops levelled on the hour when Ian Ward set up Ryu Williamson to score. Steve Fairley nearly won it for Bishop but Dunston keeper Jack Norton pulled off a good save, then Scott Martindale headed against the post.

Bishop Auckland manager Steve Riley said; “It was a poor performance but again due to a host of injuries and players playing out of position, we dug in and got a draw.

“But the players need to look their performance levels as some players aren’t anywhere near the level I expect.”

Dunston UTS manager Chris Swailes said; “I thought we deserved victory, but we had to settle for a point.”

Newton Aycliffe had a good 3-1 away win at Ryhope CW. Marc Costello gave Aycliffe the lead on 11 minutes from close range, but Danni Lay fired Ryhope level.

Stuart Banks restored Aycliffe’s lead ten minutes into the second half, with Mattie Pennal adding the third in the last minute.

Newton Aycliffe joint manager Deano Browne said; “We weren’t at our best but we managed to take three points from a physical and well-organised Ryhope. The pitch was bobbly and rock hard which didn’t suit us but we battled well and took a deserved three points.”

Consett beat Newcastle Benfield 5-3 at Belle Vue to stay in eighth place.

John Campbell gave Benfield an early lead, but Danny Craggs levelled for Consett from a Dan Hawkins cross. Paul Brayson headed Benfield back in front with his 40th league goal of the season, but Michael Sweet slotted the equaliser for Consett.

Benfield went in front for the third time through Josh Scott, but Benfield's Mark Turnbull headed into his own net for another equaliser.

Michael Sweet then finished well to put Consett 4-3 up, and Dan Hawkins got the fifth.

Consett manager Mark Eccles said; “I thought we were poor today which shows how funny football is because we deserved something off the previous three but got nothing. Hopefully we can push on now and finish higher than last year.”

Chester-le-Street, who are already relegated, lost 3-1 at home to Penrith.

Andrew Murray-Jones and Martyn Coleman put Penrith 2-0 up before Dominic Laws pulled a goal back. Coleman made it safe on the hour.

Chester-le-Street manager Colin Wake said; “I was really pleased with the performance and how we lost the game, I just don’t know. We created lots of chances, hit the woodwork three times and kept going for the full 90 minutes, but I suppose that’s why we are where we are. No killer instinct and their striker won the game on his own. Overall I couldn’t have asked for any more from our players.”

Two clubs have also won promotion from the second division.

Stockton Town won their second successive promotion by hammering Alnwick 6-1 at Bishopton Road.

Kallum Hannah and Max Craggs put Stcokton 2-0 up inside the first 25 minutes, but Alnwick pulled a goal back through Tony Brown. But that was only brief respite, because in the second half Craggs, Kevin Hayes (2) and Alan Cosavella added further goals and started the celebrations.

Manager Micky Dunwell said; “It’s a massive achievement in our first year. Now hopefully we’ll go on and win it.”

Team Northumbria are also up after drawing 0-0 at Billingham Town in a game of few chances. Town, in fifth, can still win promotion but they are six points behind Synners with two games in hand.

Billingham Town manager Barry Oliver said; “They were two teams who simply didn’t want to lose in hot conditions and at the way both teams played it was a credit to both. It was a case of nullifying each other’s strengths and a draw was a fair result.”

The third promotion spot is up for grabs still, but Billingham Synthonia missed a great chance to make it virtually theirs when they were beaten 2-0 at Whickham for whom David Fitzpatrick scored twice in the second half.

Heaton Stannington, Synners’ nearest challengers, lost 1-0 at home to Hebburn, for whom Adam Rundle scored.

Hebburn manager Scott Oliver said; “It was a really solid performance. I felt we deserved the win against a team that are flying.”

Crook Town are now virtually safe from relegation after beating Blyth Town 3-1 at the Millfield.

Gary Day put Blyth in front, but Daniel Pigg (2) and Calum Johnston hit back for Crook.

Crook manager Wilf Constantine said; “It was a really good win today against a very good Blyth team. We stepped up the pace in the second half and never gave them any peace. It was a very good team performance which I was very happy with.”

Ryton and Crawcrook are three points adrift of the bottom after dropping points in a 1-1 home draw with Bedlington.

Sam Oliver gave Ryton the lead, but Bedlington broke their hearts when Kyle Oliver equalised with just a few minutes left.

Willington eased their relegation fears when they beat Easington 2-1 at Hall Lane, even though they didn’t have a recognised keeper. Will Preston, who is usually a striker, went between the posts.

Ryan Cummings put Willington ahead early on, then Chris Storey headed the second. Ex Willington player Aidan Goodey pulled a goal back for Easington.

Willington manager Rob Lee said; “I was very pleased with the result today. Our stand in keeper, Will Preston who is normally a forward did really well. A good team performance and for the first time in a while we got a bit of luck which we deserved.”

Northallerton are up to eleventh after beating Tow Law 3-2 at Ainderby Road. Danny Jones put Northallerton into an early lead, then Mark Sims made it 2-0 with a 30 yarder.

Lawyers pulled a goal back thanks to Lee Whitworth, and four minutes after half time Jordan Lee fired the equaliser. But Northallerton recovered and Nicky Martin fired the winner.

Tow Law manager Steve Murray said; “We dominated and lost, which is the story of our last few games. Great away support, gutted more than normal.”

Northallerton manager Darren Trotter said; “We’re not at our best at the moment. Tow Law were the better side, but our character showed that we have enough to win games.”