Forrest blasts Shildon for having FA Cup on their minds as Bishops win derby clash

The Railwaymen are the last remaining Northern League club left in the FA Cup and are at Norton United next Saturday, and if there was a Norton United scout at the game, he would have gone away wondering how Shildon had managed to get to the last qualifying round stage. Similarly, Bishops didn't look like a team that had conceded only six the week previous, such is their improvement.

Maybe there was some residual fatigue arising out of the long journey on Tuesday to Stourbridge – the Railwaymen didn’t arrive home until 3 in the morning -- but regardless Forrest was furious at three dropped points.

“We were garbage and disgraced ourselves,” he blasted. “The players had the FA Cup on their minds. Bishops were more committed and had more passion and more desire than we had.

“Our players all turn up for a big game in the FA Cup, but some of them couldn’t be bothered on Saturday. Our top priority this season is the league, not the FA Cup. This defeat might be very costly for us.”

There weren’t many chances in a lack lustre first half. Ben Wood put a good opportunity over the top for Shildon, while Kieran Megran put an even better one over the bar at the other end.

The only goal came after 51 minutes, when a long header forward on the breeze caught the Shildon defence flat footed, and striker Johnny Butler got away from his man and slipped the ball past Shildon keeper Kyle Hayes.

Chris Emms hit the bar for Shildon with a lob from the edge of the box, while Scott Pocklington made a good save from Darren Craddock, who was red carded for a last man foul late in the game.

Bishop Auckland manager David Bayles said; “We have bounced back well from the 6-1 defeat at Ashington last Saturday. We beat Morpeth on Tuesday and now Shildon. It was an excellent performance against a very good side. When we got the chance to play, we caused them problems.”

Bishops, meanwhile, will be submitting an application to join the Evo-Stik League soon, and expect a ground inspection in the next few weeks.

Jarrow Roofing striker John Campbell was on top form as he scored all five of his side’s goals in their 5-0 home win over Consett.

Former Darlington striker Campbell opened the scoring in the opening minutes from a Shaun Vipond pass, then Lewis Teasdale set him up for the second. He completed his hat trick from the spot after Dan Kirkup was fouled, and a minute after half time he scored the fourth from a Wayne Phillips pass. His fifth was the pick of the bunch, a David-Beckham style effort from inside his own half that sailed over Consett keeper Chris Elliott.

Campbell now has 13 league goals for the season, just one behind the league’s top scorer, Michael Chilton of Morpeth.

Jarrow Roofing manager Richie McLoughlin said; “I’m delighted. The players were outstanding and I cannot be more happy. John Campbell was the star man with five, but Shaun Vipond was a good second for star man.”

Consett manager Kenny Lindoe said; “John Campbell took advantage of some woeful defending. We had some excellent opportunities to get back into the game but awful finishing put paid to that. All in all we had a really bad day on a really poor pitch.”

West Auckland are still top after easily winning 4-0 at bottom club Crook Town.

They took the lead with a 25 yarder by Mattie Moffat, and then Robbie Briggs hit the post. The Crook defence misjudged a through ball and Jordan Laidler scored the second , and after West missed several chances, they scored the third after half time when Moffat set up Briggs. Jake Fowler then pounced on a poor back to score the fourth and keep West at the top of the table.

Crook are now five points adrift of safety.

West Auckland manager Anth Smith said; “We created plenty of chances and grew into the game as it went on. Nice to keep a clean sheet as it was a target we set predominantly. I thought we controlled the game for long spells, and hopefully we can progress from here.”

Bedlington are a point behind the leaders after they beat Sunderland RCA with ten men.

The RCA hit the woodwork through Michael Charlton, then Bedlington had defender Stephen Little sent off for a foul on Gavin Barton, who then missed a penalty awarded for handball.

Lewis Wood hit the post for RCA, before Bedlington sub Stephen Young fired into the top corner from 30 yards. Jordan Nellis scored the second deep into stoppage time.

The RCA have signed striker Dan Smart from North Shields.

Bedlington manager Ian Skinner said; “It was a similar story to the Marske game last week. We were disappointing in the first half and didn’t play as well as we have been of late. 80 seconds into the second half we had a man sent off, RCA missed the penalty and from then on we took the game to RCA and win 2-0 with two well taken goals.

Sunderland RCA manager Marty Swales said; “I don’t know we didn’t manage to come out of the game without a point. We battered them but couldn’t score.”

Promoted North Shields are up to third after a good 5-2 away win at Penrith.

They took an early lead two goal lead through Dean Walker and Dean Holmes, then James Luccock headed the third.

Penrith hit back in the second half and pulled two goals back through Ryan Hall and Jamie Hope, but Shields regained their composure and Denver Morris scored twice to give him eight goals since he joined Shields from Aycliffe.

Marske United drop a place into fourth after drawing 3-3 at Newcastle Benfield.

The home side took the lead after 21 minutes through a Dan Taylor strike, then before half time Taylor broke clean through and beat Robbie Dean in the Marske goal.

But Jamie Owens pulled a goal back when he lifted the ball over a defender and volleyed home, and on the hour Craig Gott equalised from the penalty spot after Owens was tripped.

Benfield went in front again through Carl Paterson, but Liam O’Sullivan levelled in a goalmouth scramble right at the end.

Marske expect to complete the signing of striker Danny Brunskill from Bishop Auckland today.

Marske manager Carl Jarrett said; “It was another hard game today. We conceded some sloppy goals in the first half, but we never stopped fighting to get back into the game. We had a good second half and got back into it. I was pleased with a point in the end.”

Newcastle Benfield manager Steve Bowey said; “We were 2-0 up at half time and could have been 3-0 or 4-0, but credit to Marske, they started the second half really well and deserved to get back into the game. Then when we scored, I thought we’d won it, but their third should never have counted. I would have taken a draw before the game but we should have won it.”

Dixon beat Dixon as Dunston UTS beat Newton Aycliffe 1-0 at Moore Lane.

New Aycliffe manager Peter Dixon has strengthened his team in the last fortnight, and they were beaten by a 25 yard screamer from Dunston striker Micky Dixon after 75 minutes. New keeper James Winter pulled off a good save in the first half , while Aycliffe’s best chance fell to Martin Young in the first half. Dunston have now kept six clean sheets this season.

Dunston UTS manager Billy Irwin said; “It was a great goal from Dicka, but our performance was poor though. Newton Aycliffe worked very hard as we knew they would, we need to be better.”

Newton Aycliffe manager Peter Dixon said; “We deserved at least a point against a team that will be in the top three at the end of the season. I don’t feel as if we got beat, there were plenty of positives in the game. “ Aycliffe are now third bottom, swopping places with West Allotment who beat Ashington 2-0.

Both sides had penalty appeals turned down in a goalless first half, before Allotment took the lead when Kallum McGlen ran through and scored from a Sean Reid pass, then Reid scored the second with a powerful shot.

Ashington assistant manager Perry Briggs said; “It was another poor display. We lacked guts after they scored first.”

West Allotment manager Paul Stoneman said; “I was really pleased with the lads. The performances have been there in the last few weeks without the results. Today we got both and it was comfortable. Hopefully we can bat on now.”

Guisborough had a good 1-0 away win at Celtic Nation, the only going coming just before half time when Nathan Mulligan scored with a header which the CN keeper fumbled over the line.

The home side had player-manager Mark Boyd sent off for an off the ball incident near the end. Guisborough are now up to sixth.

Guisborough manager Chris Hardy said; “It was a hard fought victory in a scrappy game.”

Whitley Bay lost 3-2 at home to Morpeth. Peter Watling put Whitley into the lead, but Michael Chilton headed the equaliser from a Sean Taylor cross.

Whitley took the lead through Paul Robinson, but then had defender Chris Reid dismissed for a foul on Chilton, who equalised early in the second half. David Hiftle was red carded for Morpeth, but nevertheless Jordan Fry hit the winner for Morpeth.

Morpeth manager Nick Gray said; “The lads worked very hard, it as a great reaction after Tuesday. I’m delighted for the players to get the three points.”

Billingham Synthonia, under caretaker manager Micky Watson, drew 1-1 with Durham City at Central Avenue.

Synners took the lead after 18 minutes when Theo Furness scored from a Nathan Porritt through ball and they missed three good chances to increase their lead. However, Synners were reduced to ten men when Thomas Bott was shown red for a foul, and they were further annoyed when Scott Matthewman was penalised for a foul on the assistant’s flag, and Callum Hope scored from the spot.

Durham manager Ian Chandler said; “I’m happy with a point. We weren’t very good, but worked hard in the second half and got a deserved equaliser. Credit to Synners.”

In the second division, leaders Norton had to come from behind to beat Stokesley 3-2 at Station Road. Harrison Davies put them in front on 8 minutes, but battling Stokesley came back to lead 2-1 with goals by Dave Edwards and Greg Peel. But sub Nicky Martin came on the field for the second half, and scored twice on 49 and 65 minutes.

Norton manager Andy Campbell said; “We were poor in the first half, but excellent in the second. I was very happy with the result against a very good Stokesley side. I told the players that they need to improve those halves and they will dominate games from the first minute.”

Stokesley manager Nicky Ward said; “I’m totally gutted we didn’t get a point. We were superb in the first half and coming out sloppy cost us. Another great performance without getting the result we deserved, but we if we keep working hard, it will come.”

Darlington RA dropped points in a 2-2 draw with Thornaby at Brinkburn Road but stay third. Richie Walker put Thornaby into the lead, but then Freddie Huscroft levelled with a powerful header. Matthew Robinson restored Thornaby’s lead, but Jim Wilson levelled again with a 25 yarder.

Thornaby manager Paul Edwards said; “Thornaby led twice, and overall I thought we deserved to take the three points. It was a very good performance.”

Darlington RA manager Paul Bowman said; “I’m pleased with a point after a performance that was well below our standards. The team showed great character going behind twice but not giving up. We conceded two poor gaols when we gave the ball away cheaply. Our two goals were top quality. An even game with Thornaby getting the better of the first half, and us the second. “ Ryhope CW had a good 3-1 home win over fourth placed Hebburn. Jack Pounder headed Ryhope into the lead, then Richard Hodgson turned in a mishit shot by Mattie Weirs. Hebburn hit back with a goal by Craig Malley, but Pounder made sure of the points with a good volley.

Ryhope CW manager Gary Pearson said; “We started the game very sharp and deserved our first half lead, and we could have had more if the ref had given two penalty claims. We weathered a difficult 15 minute storm when we sat off and Hebburn pulled a goal back, but we replied superbly on the counter. Defensively we were very resilient and the lads attitude was spot on for the whole 90 minutes.”

Hebburn manager Scott Oliver said; “We had key players missing, but no complaints today. We were outfought in the first 20 minutes and left ourselves with too much to do.”

Seaham Red Star are level on points with Hebburn thanks to a 4-0 home win over South Shields. Sonny Andrews scored his team’s first goal to give him 14 league goals for the season, and after half time David Palmer, Lewis Wing and Josh Home-Jackson scored the others. It was the first time this season that Shields had failed to score in a league game.

Seaham manager Mark Collingwood said; “It was a great response after a poor midweek performance. We still need to improve and I think we will, we should have had today’s game wrapped up after 25 minutes.”

Heaton Stannington are sixth after they won 3-0 at Tow Law, scoring all their goals in the first half. Dan Taggart, making his league debut for Heaton, scored twice, with Gary Dixon scoring the other. Lawyers have now lost five times at home this season.

Heaton Stannington assistant manager Geoff Walker said; “It was a great first half performance. We went in 3-0 up, controlled the second half and saw the game out. It was a great to get another win and a clean sheet at a tricky place to get a result.”

Tow Law manager Gary Anderson said; “It was a very poor performance and a lack of effort throughout the game. We looked to have turned a corner last week, but we have gone back to square one yet again this season.”

Willington lost to second placed Team Northumbria. They were ahead for three minutes after Reece Marshall put them in front on 20 minutes, but Josh Draycott equalised. Luke Hannant put TN ahead on 48 minutes, but new signing Adam Burnicle appeared to give Willington a point with a goal on 80 minutes. However, Kane White scored the winner with five minutes left.

Willington manager Rob Lee said; “A draw would have been a fair result, we played well.”

Ryton and Crawcrook had their best away win for eight years when they won 6-0 at Alnwick. Dan Robinson scored four, with Jack Stoddart and Will Forsyth scoring the others. Ryton’s previous best away win was by 8-1 at Alnwick in 2006.

Chester-le-Street easily won 3-0 at second bottom Esh Winning. Scott Heslop gave them the lead early in, then just before half time Ben Johnson got the second. Michael Hepplewhite scored the third midway through the second half. Esh have now conceded 59 goals in the league this season.

Chester-le-Street manager Colin Wake said; “It was a very comfortable win, and really should have been by a bigger scoreline. But it’s three points and a clean sheet.”

Birtley won their local derby by 4-1 at Whickham. Dan Quine put them ahead with a 25 yarder, and then got another with a free kick. Kai Hewitson then converted a penalty on 65 minutes, and he got a fourth with five minutes left. Mark Fitzpatrick scored for Whickham.

Birtley manager Tony Boakes said; “We stopped the rot with what was still a scratch side. It was a great win against a hard working Whickham side.”

Brandon are still rock bottom after they were beaten 4-1 at home by Washington. Chris Winn (2), Paul Wardle and Mark Davison scored for Washington, with David Rush replying.

Northallerton are looking for a new manager following the resignation of Peter Mulcaster following their 2-1 home defeat by Billingham Town on Friday night.

In the EvoStik League, Blyth lost 2-1 at Barwell, while Whitby had an excellent 5-1 away win at Rushall Olympic. Liam Shepherd, Lee Mason, Steven Snaith (2) and Craig Farrell scored their goals after the home side had gone in front.