Darlington RA stun unbeaten Hebburn in promotion clash

The RA lost their first three league matches of the season under manager Paul Bowman, but since then they have taken the division by storm, and they are now up to third in the table.

“It was our best performance this season. It was an even first half and a dominant second half display. Two great goals, and a man of the match performance from Stephen Cheeseman gave us a fantastic win. The togetherness of our dressing room is fantastic and starting to show through.”

Hebburn had Ross Toward sent off after 42 minutes, and the RA opened the scoring on 62 minutes when Phil Caley fired the ball home from the edge of the box. Jim Wilson seized on a poor clearance by the Hebburn keeper and scored from 25 yards three minutes later, before Lee McMahon scored a late consolation for Hebburn, who lost their unbeaten record.

Hebburn manager Scott Oliver said; “Hebburn manager Scott Oliver said: “we continue to make individual errors, plus I can’t Ross Toward’s sending off in the second half. Fair play to Darlington, they defend well.”

In the first division, Newcastle Benfield have appointed Steve Bowey for the second time as manager, and he celebrated his return to the club with a comfortable 5-1 home win over Billingham Synthonia. Bowey quit in the summer to become coach at Consett, but the club gave him the job again following the midweek departure of Neil Saxton.

Dillon Morse gave Benfield the lead with a header from a corner, then Paul Brayson fired the second after 18 minutes.

Brayson scored the third from the edge of the box, and he completed his hat trick just on the break when he ran clear and beat Synners keeper Jonny Ball.

Nathan Porritt pulled a goal back for Synners in the second half from a Michael Sweet pass, but Brayson ran through and scored his personal fourth, and 13th league goal of the season to complete an easy win.

Newcastle Benfield manager Steve Bowey said; “I couldn’t ask for anything more. It was an outstanding team performance, the way we controlled the tempo was top class. The whole team worked hard for each other, I’m pleased to be back.”

Billingham Synthonia manager Lee Tucker said; “Benfield were far too good for us today and Brayson was outstanding, great movement and finishing.”

Leaders West Auckland were held to a 2-2 draw at home by Jarrow Roofing, for whom former West striker John Campbell scored twice.

Roofing couldn’t have got off to a better start. Campbell, who moved from West during the summer, pounced on a mistake by Adam Wilkinson to open the scoring, then another former West player, Shaun Vipond, opened up the West defence for Campbell to run clear and beat Dan Lowson.

West pulled a goal back on 28 minutes when Colin Larkin dribbled through the Roofing defence and fired past the keeper, and a minute after half time, Lewis Galpin headed in Larkin’s corner for the equaliser.

But Roofing recovered on 63 minutes and regained the lead when Dan Kirkup was brought down, and Lewis Teasdale scored from the spot, and just as it looked as if they would lose out, West levelled with a deflected shot by Jonny Gibson a few minutes from the end.

West Auckland manager Anth Smith said; “It was a comedy of errors by us. Again, mistakes led to the other teams scoring goals, and we can’t afford to keep doing that.”

Jarrow Roofing manager Richie McLoughlin said; “It was a very good point from a very good side. We could have been 4-0 up at half time, but we’re happy with a point.”

Bedlington stay second on goal difference after coming back from 3-1 down to draw 3-3 at Marske United.

Jamie Owens fired a free kick into the top corner to give Marske the lead, but Bedlington levelled through Dylan Williamson, who ran through and rounded Robbie Dean. Marske regained the lead through Sam Garvie from close range, then Bedlington defender Sam Walton was red carded on 32 minutes for violent conduct. Josh MacDonald made it 3-1 from 20 yards before half time. But Bedlington countered after half time, and pulled a goal back with a Lee Scott penalty for a foul by Darren Hollingsworth, then five minutes from the end Williamson fired the equaliser.

Marske manager Carl Jarrett said; “We had the game in the bag at half time and should have won, but a poor team performance again in the second half gave Bedlington hope. They never stopped and believed they could get back into the game. Fair play to them but disappointed with the result.”

Bedlington manager Ian Skinner said; “We started sloppy and went a goal down and got back to 1-1. Then self destruction for ten minutes saw us down to ten men and 3-1 down. Second half we took the game to Marske and deserved our point at least. Players were brilliant second half.”

Bishop Auckland had a day to forget at Ashington, getting hammered 6-1.

It looked good for Bishops when Kyle Davis gave them an early lead, but their advantage was short lived as Glen Taylor fired an equaliser. Andrew Johnson headed Ashington into the lead, and before half time Taylor added a third.

Johnson helped himself to another in the second half, with Tony Stephenson and Kyle Downey adding further goals.

Ashington assistant manager Perry Briggs said; “It was a very good performance. We’ve been waiting for a performance like that all season. We played with tempo and creativity, but also won the battle.”

Bishop Auckland manager David Bayles said; “It was an absolutely terrible day. We need something to kickstart our season again.”

Crook Town are now rock bottom of the league after they were easily beaten 4-0 at Sunderland RCA, whose first win of the season helped them exchange places.

The RCA took the lead after just five minutes through recent signing Michael Charlton, but they didn’t add to it until Kyle Morris scored soon after half time. Lee Bythway added a third, and even though Stephen Callen was red carded, the RCA still had enough in hand to score the fourth through recent signing Danny Austin-Wilson.

Crook manager Nick Harrison said; “It was a far cry from last Wednesday. We need new faces and quick.”

Sunderland RCA manager Martin Swales said; “I’m pleased we’re off the bottom of the table. We can aim for the teams above us now. The players kept hold of the ball well, and that made a difference.”

Newton Aycliffe led 2-1 at one point at Durham City, but lost 3-2.

Durham took the lead with a header by Ricky Allen from a Jonny Davis cross, but Aycliffe levelled when Stuart Banks shook off a defender and fired home, and then they went ahead with a Paul Garthwaite effort on 17 minutes.

But Durham levelled on 24 minutes with a header by Ryan Noble, and on the half hour Callum Patton scored what turned out to be the winner from the edge of the box.

Aycliffe manager Peter Dixon has signed three new players, Mark Stephenson, Conor Winter and Liam Henderson.

Durham manager Ian Chandler said; “We responded very well when we went 2-1 down to go 3-2 up by half time. Second half we restricted Aycliffe to next to nothing while we missed a couple of good chances. Overall it was a good display all round.”

Newton Aycliffe manager Peter Dixon said; “There was plenty to encourage me. We played well in the second half and nearly got an equaliser.”

Dunston UTS are up to fifth with games in hand on the leaders after they beat Whitley Bay 1-0, Lee McAndrew scoring the goal in the first half from an Andy Bulford assist. Nicky Kane almost scored a second but he was denied by the post, while Paul Robinson went close at the other end.

Dunston UTS manager Billy Irwin said; “We were far from our best but it was a great three points.”

North Shields are now up to fourth after beating West Allotment 3-0. Peter Glen-Ravenhill fired them into the lead three minutes before half time, then James Luccock blasted the second on 68 minutes. Curtis Coppen headed the third two minutes later.

West Allotment manager Paul Stoneman said; “We were unlucky again. We gifted them the first goal, then we started second half really strong and had a goal disallowed for what only the ref knows. It was a shocking decision which deflated us. I feel sorry for the lads, we aren’t getting the breaks at the moment, but I thought we more than matched a top side. 3-0 flattered them.”

Guisborough drew 1-1 with Penrith at the King George. Ben Jackson put Penrith into the lead but sub Luke Bythway equalised for Guisborough soon after coming on as sub.

Penrith keeper Josh Richardson went off injured, and was replaced by their only sub Tom Newton. Penrith are now unbeaten in their last seven matches.

Guisborough manager Chris Hardy said; “A draw was a correct result in a game that saw our opponents contest every ball which saw then go 1-0 up, then for the last half hour it became all Guisborough when we equalised and pushed hard for the winner.”

Morpeth are slipping off the pace after they were held to a 2-2 draw by Celtic Nation.

Paul Jewels headed a Steve Skinner cross into his own goal to give the Nation the lead, but Morpeth hit back with goals by Paul Buzzeo and Michael Chilton, However, Mark Boyd levelled for the Nation from long range.

Morpeth manager Nick Gray said; “Yet again we’ve concede late goals and it’s cost us. We must learn quickly.”

In the second division, Chester-le-Street striker Scott Heslop scored probably the fastest goal of the season so far after just 15 seconds against Brandon, and setting up a 3-1 win. Brandon kicked off, but Chester dispossessed them and Heslop ran through and scored. Joe Hamblin made it 2-0 seven minutes before half time, and then Ben Johnson scored the third soon after half time. Jonathan Yip scored a late consolation for Brandon, who are still without a win.

Chester-le-Street manager Colin Wake said; “We won the game comfortably but should have won by a bigger margin if we had taken any of our mass of chances.”

Team Northumbria easily beat bottom club Esh Winning 5-0. Josh Draycott (2), Ben Dibb-Fuller, Joel Bradley and Louis Storey scored their goals.

Esh Winning manager Chris Blakelock said; “We did really well in the first half, but we had to play four 16 year olds as we had seven injuries. Looks like another thumping, but our strongest eleven would have won. We just can’t seem to get them on the pitch at the same time.”

Leaders Norton are now unbeaten in nine league matches after winning 3-2 at Ryton and Crawcrook, although they were 2-1 down at one stage. Karl Charlton gave Norton the lead, only for Dan Robinson and Callum Turnbull to hit back for Ryton before half time. Harrison Davies pulled Norton level, and Charlton popped up with the winner.

Norton manager Andy Campbell said; “I’m delighted with the result. We were excellent in the first half, we took the game to them and got what we deserved. We scored some good goals and happy to keep the run going.”

Seaham Red Star have now scored 30 goals in their last five matches after winning 3-1 at Stokesley. Darren Donnelly and Sonny Andrews with his 13th league goal of the season put Seaham 2-0 up, and after Wilf Dinsdale replied to begin a Stokesley fightback, David Palmer made sure near the end.

Stokesley manager Nicky Ward said; “We competed against a very good side so pleased with the performance. We will pick up points if we keep playing like the last few games. Credit to Seaham, they’re a good footballing outfit.”

Ryhope CW had a good 2-1 away win at Whickham to put them sixth in the table.

Nathan O’Neill and then Stephen Francis put Ryhope 2-0 up, before Chad Collins pulled a late goal back for Whickham.

Ryhope CW manager Gary Pearson said; “I’m very happy with the result apart from first and last 10 minutes. I think we controlled the game but squandered a lot of opportunities to put a good Whickham side out of sight. The scoreline looks closer than reality.”

Tow Law came from two goals down to draw 2-2 at Washington.

The home side looked good with goals after Aaron Croft on 4 minutes and James Cassidy on 20, but Lawyers picked themselves up to pull level in the second half with goals by Scott Duggan and Jonny Hewitson.

Tow Law manager Gary Anderson said; “A poor first half display. We went in 2-0 down, but three changes made a big difference to come back 2-2 and come away with a hard fought point which could easily have been three.”

Billingham Town picked up a point in a good 1-1 draw with South Shields even though they had a man sent off. Town had a good first half, and took the lead when Michael Dalton scored from a Gary Redman pass, but Paul Kane equalised from the penalty spot on 63 minutes. Redman was sent off late in the game for two bookable offences.

South Shields manager Jon King said; “We dominated possession, but lacked cutting edge in the final third.”

Billingham Town manager Darren Trotter said; “We’re pleased with a point. It was a correct decision by the ref for their penalty, but disappointed with the two decisions to ultimately send Gary Redman off.”

Northallerton’s promotion hopes took a knock when they were beaten 3-0 at Heaton Stannington, all the gaols scored by Jonathan Wright, who has recently returned to the club from Jarrow Roofing.

Heaton assistant manager Geoff Walker said; “It was a great all round team performance. It was a very comfortable win and could have been 5 or 6. Our keeper was only tested in the last five minutes. It was nice to get a clean sheet, and a great hat trick from Jon Wright.”

Thornaby beat Willington 3-2 at Teesdale Park.

Willington started well and took the lead through Marc Bell, but Kieron Edwards levelled with an effort from the edge of the box just before half time. Clayton McDonald fired through a crowd of players to put Thornaby into the lead on the hour, then Richie Walker made it 3-1 with his first touch after coming on as sub. Stephen Howe pulled a late goal back for Willington, who included 16 year old keeper Declan Middleton.

Thornaby manager Paul Edwards said; “It was a great three points. I thought Willington were the better side in the first half but we deserved the three points overall and scored three very good individual goals.”

Willington manager Rob Lee said; “I thought we did very well, especially young Declan in goal. He wasn’t nervous at all. A draw would have been a fair result.”

Birtley lost 2-1 at home to Alnwick, for whom Jonathan Colley scored twice. Kai Hewitson replied for Birtley.

Birtley manager Tony Boakes said; “We’re really disappointed not have got at least a point from the game. Kai Hewitson should have had a hat trick at least before scoring our equaliser but we were poor defensively.”

In the EvoStik League premier division, Whitby drew 1-1 with Trafford, Liam Shepherd scoring their goal in the second half.