Skinner rules himself out of West job after 4-0 win

Skinner was handed the caretaker’s role after Peter Dixon quit in midweek, but he says that he isn’t interested out of respect for his pal Dixon. Instead, former Sunderland player and Gateshead manager Anth Smith is one of the front runners, and is going to be interviewed on Monday night, along with one other applicant.

“There isn’t a chance on this earth that I’m applying for the job,” said Skinner. “I’ve known Peter for seven years, and we go out together regularly. If the job was somewhere else, then I would probably have applied for it, but out of respect for Peter, I’m not going to.

“I told the players before the game that they should give Peter a good send off, because after all it is his team. The first half was completely flawless, their attitude, workrate and temperament were all excellent.

“The players stepped up to the mark and credit to them where it’s due.”

West got the start they wanted after 8 minutes when Robbie Briggs set up Paul Garthwaite to fire into the top corner, then Steve Richardson scrambled the second from a corner. West kept the pressure on, and scored a third on 35 minutes when Richardson netted a Garthwaite cross.

Durham improved as the second half went on, but West scored a fourth when Alex Francis beat two defenders and fired past the keeper.

Durham manager Ian Chandler said; “It was a very poor display particularly in the first half when we gave the ball away far too much resulting in two goals. We improved in the second half, but the damage was done in the first half.”

Nick Harrison, who took over as manager at Crook in midweek, was within thirty seconds of a valuable win against Ashington.

Crook took the lead after 20 minutes when Scott Swanston tapped in from a cross and they missed chances for a second. They looked as if they would hold on to the lead until the last minute of stoppage time when Andrew Johnson fired home for the Colliers. However, Crook dropped into the bottom three because Guisborough and Penrith won to climb above them.

Crook manager Nick Harrison said; “I was very proud of the players’ efforts. We were 30 seconds away from three points, so it was disappointing to draw, but it is a point we would have taken before the game.”

Ashington assistant manager Perry Briggs said; “It was a poor performance. We had plenty of possession and chances. Nothing against Crook but we should be beating teams like them. One or two players need to look at themselves, it wasn’t good enough.”

Bishop Auckland played for more than half the game with ten men, and still comfortably beat Whitley Bay 4-1 at Heritage Park. They are the only team in the first division with a 100 per cent record.

Bishops took the lead when Jonny Butler cut in from the left and fired under the Whitley keeper, then he dispossessed a defender and ran into the box to score the second.

Bishops were then reduced to ten men when defender Jordan Lavery was dismissed for a last man foul, but that didn’t deter them because Ben Riding nodded a free kick across for Chris Lawson to head in. It was 4-0 after the break when Stuart Thompson made a good run and crossed for Butler to complete his hat trick.

Paul Chow scored Whitley’s consolation in the second half.

Bishop Auckland manager David Bayles said; “It was a brilliant performance, and we were the better team by far. The commitment and workrate were top drawer.”

Shildon were held for the second time in a week when they drew 1-1 at Jarrow Roofing.

The Railwaymen took the lead when midfielder Mark Hudson headed in a Micky Rae free kick, but Roofing levelled when Jonathan Wright picked up a pass from new signing Peter Leven and beat Shildon keeper Lewis Graham.

Shildon had a couple of good chances to win it in the second half, but Roofing themselves nearly scored late on.

Shildon coach Phil Brumwell said; “It was a very good first 20 minutes, but then we lost some shape for the rest of the first half. We dominated the second half and their keeper was man of the match but we lacked a killer instinct in the final third . Jarrow were doing everything to hold out for a point.”

Marske United lost their 100 percent record when Morpeth held them to a 2-2 draw at Mount Pleasant. Reece Kelly gave them a good start after four minutes when he scored from Josh MacDonald’s cross, but Morpeth levelled with a long range strike by Marc Lancaster. Michael Chilton then headed them in front, but Marske equalised on 78 minutes when Austin Johnston ran through the Morpeth defence and slotted the ball home.

Marske manager Carl Jarrett said; “We came across a very good organised Morpeth side who worked very hard. Credit to my lads they kept going to the end, we had enough chances to win this game.”

Morpeth manager Nick Gray said; “We were poor in the first half and did a lot better in the second half. We got our noses in front but a wonder goal by their man of the match gave what I thought was a fair result.”

Consett easily beat Newton Aycliffe 4-0 at Belle View. Adam Nicholls scored an excellent goal when he beat two defenders and fired past new Aycliffe keeper William Jones, then Consett defender Dan Madden made a good run and played the ball through for Luke Sullivan to steer home. It was 3-0 when Jonny Wright scored from the edge of the box, and David Brown drove the fourth from the edge of the box. Aycliffe have released midfielder Denver Morris.

Newton Aycliffe manager Ady Webster said; “Dispapointed with the result. I really can’t fault any of the lads’ application and commitment but they were a decent team and their movement up from was the difference. Conceding two late goals annoyed me as we spoke about keeping things tight defensively regardless of the game being beyond reach.”

Consett manager Ken Lindoe said; “I thought we were slow out of the blocks, and despite leading 2-0, at the interval I asked the players to control the game better. I was very pleased with our second half performance and thought we were in total control and with better finishing could have won even more convincingly.”

Guisborough came from behind to win 2-1 at Newcastle Benfield, their winner coming in the last minute. Paul Brayson put Benfield into the lead from the spot after 31 minutes, but Guisborough levelled through Anthony Hume at the start of the second half. Nathan Jameson came on as a late sub and scored the winner.

Guisborough manager Chris Hardy said; “It was a very pleasing result given the fact that we had to come from a goal down. We played possession football and got our rewards when there were stages in the game when the lads could have panicked but they just chipped away.”

Newcastle Benfield manager Neil Saxton said; “We were very disappointed to lose in the final minute. We will react positively on Monday.”

Dunston UTS won 3-0 at Sunderland RCA. They took the lead when Stephen Shaw hit the post and Gary Ormston scored from the rebound, then Scott Fenwick fired the second. Nick Kane tapped in the third before half time.

Dunston UTS manager Billy Irwin said; “It was a great first half then went scrappy in the second half, but very happy with the points.”

Sunderland RCA manager David Lee said; “Our first half display was nowhere near good enough, meaning that the game was over by half time.”

Promoted North Shields won their local derby by 2-1 at Bedlington and are now in second place, unbeaten in four games.

They took the lead when Dean Walker set up Gareth Bainbridge to beat Bedlington keeper Sean McCafferty, but the Terriers levelled with a strike by Lee Scott. But Shields won the game when Walker crossed for Bainbridge to score from a few yards.

Bedlington manager Ian Skinner said; “We were poor in the first half and didn’t get close enough to the opposition. Second half we changed a couple of things and started brightly. We conceded a poor goal but got back on terms at 1-1 and looked to push on and win. We conceded another poor goal within a few minutes of getting back on level terms.”

Billingham Synthonia had a poor day as they were beaten 3-1 at home by previous bottom club Penrith. Sub Niall Renwick opened the scoring – and their account for the season -- just before half time when he scored from close range, then Ryan Hall fired the second.

Nathan Porritt pulled a goal back with a peach of a free kick on 79 minutes, but Penrith lifted themselves off the bottom above Synners when Hall scored from a long ball.

Billingham Synthonia manager Lee Tucker said; “We were poor and Penrith deserved their win.”

Celtic Nation easily beat West Allotment 4-1. The Nation scored twice in the first half through Dean Douglas and Aaron Roberts, and after half time they added two more through Sean Bannon and Dean Crozier. Allotment pulled a goal back through Sean Reid.

West Allotment manager Paul Stoneman said; “I’m really disappointed because we never turned up. We can’t afford to do that in this division, they deserved the points. No complaints but we made it easy for them.”

In the second division, Birtley pulled off the shock of the day by beating unbeaten leaders Team Northumbria 2-0.

Kai Hewitson scored with a good header on 44 minutes, then Daniel Maddison dribbled around the keeper for the second.

Birtley manager Tony Boakes said; “It was a great performance.”

Ryton and Crawcrook, who finished second bottom last season, are now second top with a 4-3 win over Thornaby after being 3-2 down with just minutes left.

Ryton took an early lead through Will Forsyth, but Joe Melvin and veteran Jamie Clarke gave Thornaby the lead. Ryton levelled through Sam Moore, but Clarke again restored Thornaby’s lead. But in the last five minutes Callum Turnbull and Scott Gunn pounced on some poor defending and gave Ryton the points.

Fourth placed Ryhope CW are unbeaten in their opening five league games after beating bottom club Brandon 4-1.

Jack Pounder put Ryhope into the lead before half time, then he volleyed a second soon after the break. Chris Trewick headed a third from a free kick, and after Brandon pulled a goal back through James Davidson, Trewick scored the fourth from a rebound.

Ryhope CW manager Gary Pearson said; “Brandon came wit ha defensive set up and fought bravely for long periods, but Jack pounder made the difference in both halves for us. Overall we deserved the win and go into another tough game against Seaham on Monday.”

Norton came from behind and beat Heaton Stannington 3-2.

Twice Heaton cancelled out Norton’s lead. Harrison Davies and Gary Mitchell scored for Norton, with Andrew Robertson and Lee Johnson in turn equalising. Johnson scored with five minutes left, but just two minutes later Michael Jameson got the winner.

Norton manager Andy Campbell said; “Delighted with the result but I think we got out of jail a little bit. They played excellent and we didn’t really turn up. We need to be better but happy to win again.”

Heaton Stannington assistant manager Geoff Walker said; “We were the far better side, but no luck in front of goal, and getting punished for our errors. Still confident that we can get some wins, just have to start again on Monday against Alnwick.”7 Northallerton are well in touch with the leaders after beating Willington 2-0 with goals by Aaron Ramsbottom and Ross Teesdale.

Northallerton manager Peter Mulcaster said; “ We ground out a result against a good Willington side.”

Willington manager Rob Lee said; “We played well but didn’t take our chances. A draw would be a good result.”

Pre season favourites Seaham Red Star played for 70 minutes with only ten men against Billingham Town, and earned a goalless draw. Seaham had Dean Nicholson dismissed for retaliation after being tackled. Town’s Joel Callender later had a penalty saved by Seaham keeper Shaun Newbrook, and they also had a man, Daniel Ballantyne sent off.

Seaham manager Mark Collingwood said; “After getting a player sent off after 9 minutes we showed great character and should have won the game. The point and clean sheet stops the rot. I hate to talk about officials, but two of them had terrible games. Our aim now is to hopefully kick on and climb the table.”

Darlington RA have now won twice in a week following an excellent 5-3 away win at South Shields.

Home keeper Brett Wilson was sent off for the second time this season for handling outside the box, and James Wilson scored from the free kick.

Mark Sims then took control of the game, scoring twice within the space of four minutes. Sam England scored a fourth, before Shields pulled a goal back through Adam Sharp. Sims then completed his hat trick, with Sharp and Barrie Smith scoring in the dying minutes.

Darlington RA manager Paul Bowman said; “After controlling the game, conceding three times in the last ten minutes wasn’t good enough. We will however take the positives out of scoring five and playing well.”

Hebburn moved up to seventh after comfortably winning 5-2 at Stokesley. Channon North blitzed Stokesley single-handed, scoring four times, with Shaun Reay scoring the other. Ben Darville and Gary Redman scored for Stokesley.

Hebburn are the only team in the second division still with a 100 per cent record.

Hebburn manager Scott Oliver said; “It was a comfortable win. We conceded two poor goals, but credit to Stokesley they pass the ball around well.”

Stokesley caretaker manager Chris Lax said; “Too many players had an off day and individual errors cost us . If we had taken our chances we could have got something out of the game.”

Washington won their first game of the season by beating Alnwick 4-2, although they were 2-1 down at one point. Mark Davison opened the scoring, only for Brad McClelland and Adam Shanks to hit back for Alnwick. However, Washington hit form and scored through Nathan Cummings, James Fairley and Chris Winn.

Whickham won their local derby at Chester-le-Street 1-0, with a free kick by Dave Fitzpatrick, although they could have scored more goals in a one-sided game.

Whickham manager Robin Falcus said; “I was really pleased with our performance, the lads looked very strong and organised. We should have had another one or two, but we got the points which we thoroughly deserved.”

Chester-le-Street manager Colin Wake said; “We were really poor and never got started. Whickham thoroughly deserved the three points and in truth it could have been more than 1-0.”

In the Evo-Stik League, Blyth picked up a good point from a 1-1 draw at Matlock, Dam Maguire scoring their goal.

Whitby, with new signing Dale Hopson in their side, lost 2-0 at home to Skelmersdale, for whom Danny Mitchley and Thomas Ince scored.