Win at Shields could be the most crucial, says Forrest

A second half winner by Billy Greulich-Smith put the Railwaymen into seventh place in the table, nine points off the leaders with five games in hand.

“That victory could be crucial, because if we win our games in hand, then we’ll go top,” said Forrest.

“It was a brilliant performance, and we’re delighted with the points. We’ve won six in a row now, all of them against teams who are in good form. North Shields isn’t an easy place to go to, it was a hard fought win. I would have taken a draw, because we had three of our regular back four missing for various reasons and a couple of others as well.

“But the players must keep producing these sort of performances, they can’t afford to relax, as there are still plenty of tough games to go.

Both teams went close in the first half, with Paul Connor almost scoring for Shildon, but his shot was cleared off the line, while Gareth Bainbridge went close at the other end.

After Shildon keeper Kyle Hayes pulled off a good save, they went in front when Billy Greulich-Smith outjumped the Shields defence to a Mark Hudson corner and headed in.

Shields nearly levelled when Bainbridge got through, but Hayes again pulled off a good save, and right at the end Liam Atkin cleared off the line.

West Auckland are back on top of the table after beating Celtic Nation 2-1 at the Seagrave Stadium, their first win under new manager Steve Skinner against one of his old clubs.

West took the lead after 13 minutes when Matty Moffat knocked the ball down for Steve Richardson to beat the Nation keeper, then Richardson headed his second on the half hour mark from an Alex Francis free kick.

West nearly got a third just on half time, but Andy Casson saved well from Francis after the midfielder broke through.

But Nation improved in the second half, and gave West some anxious moments when Kyle May pulled one back. However, the visitors had Jonny Allen dismissed for his second yellow, and Richardson nearly completed his hat trick near the end.

West Auckland manager Steve Skinner said; “The performance was a lot better than last week’s, and it has restored some of the players’ confidence. We could have scored a couple more goals in the first half.

“The most pleasing thing is, that we’re top of the table.”

Guisborough are now unbeaten in ten matches after they came from behind to win 2-1 at Jarrow Roofing.

Lewis Teasdale put Roofing into the lead with a free kick from just outside the area, but Guisborough levelled on 18 minutes when Connor Smith turned in a low cross from Liam McPhillips.

Guisborough missed a few chances to add to their score, and after Roofing keeper Andy Hunter went off injured to be replaced by Alan Greenan, Peter Bulmer turned quickly and fired the winner.

Guisborough manager Chris Hardy said; “Having conceded a early goal that we seemed to be the creator of, we then went on to control the game with a very impressive midfield four proving to be unplayable at times.

“In the first half only some poor finishing proved to be the reason for us not being out of sight in a half where we created 18 goalscoring opportunities.

“Second half however proved to be a tighter affair and it was only a wonder strike by Bulmer which proved to be enough to secure all three points.

“The result was a excellent group effort and result, against opposition that were very competitive and a playing surface that deteriorated badly as the game went on potentially making for a tough afternoons work which we dealt with in a professional manner.”

Jarrow Roofing manager Richie McLoughlin said; “We didn’t play well today but maybe we could have got a point on another day.”

Marske United are five points behind the leaders after easily beating Newton Aycliffe 4-0 at Mount Pleasant.

Both sides had chances before Marske took the lead after 29 minutes when Craig Gott scored with a deflected free kick, then Aycliffe keeper James Winter saved well from Gott.

Marske went 2-0 up just after half time when a poor clearance by Winter went straight to Danny Brunskill, who set up sub Cameron Park for an easy goal.

It was 3-0 just on the hour when Brunskill fired home as the Aycliffe defence dallied, and it was all over when Jamie Owens played a 1-2 and fired his 18th league goal of the season. He nearly got another, but was denied by the crossbar.

Marske have now passed their points tally for the whole of last season.

Marske manager Carl Jarrett said; “It was a great result for the lads. They showed great character after Tuesday’s defeat in the cup. The score could have been a lot more and the pleasing thing was a clean sheet.”

Newton Aycliffe manager Peter Dixon said; “We were second best all over the pitch in the second half, we didn’t match Marske enough. We could have applied ourselves better.”

Billingham Synthonia striker Michael Sweet destroyed Ashington on his own, scoring all five of his team’s goals in their 5-2 home victory, only the second player in the league to do so this season, and the first time for Synners since 1956.

Sweet scored his first after just 9 minutes when the Ashington defence lost the ball to Tommy Marron, who set him up to score from a few yards, and four minutes later Robbie Bettson crossed from the right for him to score.

Tony Stephenson pulled a goal back at the start of the second half, but Sweet completed his hat trick on 49 minutes from a Kris Hughes pass.

Sweet scored his fourth from the spot after Hughes was pulled down, and he went close twice more before he got his fifth from a loose ball after Hughes’ shot was blocked. Glen Taylor pulled a late goal back for Ashington.

Synners have now won three games in a row, and are now four points above the relegation zone, which is inhabited by Celtic Nation, Sunderland RCA and Crook Town.

Ashington assistant manager Perry Briggs said; “We were totally embarrassing today. We’re in a relegation battle and we need players to understand that. Some don’t, and no doubt about it they will be told or be shipped on!”

Dunston UTS won 1-0 at Bedlington to go fifth in the table, and are now unbeaten in seven league games. The goal came in just the fifth minute, when Dan Wilson scored from a Lee McAndrew cross.

UTS manager Billy Irwin missed the game to watch Vase opponents Glossop win 1-0 at Worksop.

Bedlington manager Ian Skinner said; “We conceded a poor goal early in the game but competed well from that point on. Second half we put Dunston under pressure but couldn’t get the goals required. It was a much improved performance compared to recent weeks, and we probably deserved a point.”

Dunston UTS assistant manager Tony Harrison said; “It was another excellent team performance on a gluepot of a pitch. We started well and scored early but had to defend well late in the game to hang on for the points.”

Newcastle Benfield went eighth bottom after they beat Durham City 4-1 at Sam Smiths, with Paul Brayson scoring a hat trick.

New signing Gilberto Chapim put Benfield into the lead from a few yards, but Ryan Noble quickly equalised for Durham.

Benfield went back into the lead when Brayson scored off a long clearance by keeper Andy Grainger, then he scored the third off a Steven Baptist assist. He completed his hat trick from another good move in the second half.

Brayson has now scored 26 league goals this season, the best in the division.

Newcastle Benfield manager Steve Bowey said; “The performance matched the result. I thought the lads as a team were first class. Durham have been flying of late but we showed our class. It was a job well done as we have worked our socks off in training all week. That’s the reward for working hard in training.”

Durham manager Ian Chandler said; “That was our worst performance of the season so far. Too many individuals played very poorly which contributed to a bad team display.”

Crook Town now have a goal difference of negative three figures after they were beaten 3-1 at home by Morpeth, but at least their performance was better than some of those in recent weeks.

Micky Chilton put Morpeth in front after 30 minutes, but John Alexander levelled from the spot after 65 minutes. Crook through their luck had turned when Ryan Graham saved a penalty from Sean Taylor, but Steven Anderson set up Chilton to put Morpeth into the lead, and with a few minutes left Anderson fired the third.

Crook manager Peter Mulcaster said; “For the first time since joining . I was disappointed we didn’t get something out of the game.”

Morpeth manager Nicky Gray said; “The only one positive today is the three points. I think the lads must have had this week’s Portugal trip on their minds. Well done to Crook for keeping going right to the end.”

In the second division, promotion chasing Norton and Team Northumbria drew 1-1 at Station Road.

Norton took the lead soon after half time when Harrison Davies made a good run and crossed for Nicky Martin to score, but Team North levelled late in the game through Ben Dibb-Fuller, although Norton claimed that they should have had a free kick.

Norton manager Andy Campbell said; “We’re very disappointed to lose a late goal, especially as well thought it should have been a free kick. Apart from that, we worked hard but lacked any real quality which isn’t like us.”

Washington made ground on the top two by beating Billingham Town 4-0. After a goalless first half, Mark Davison put Washington into the lead on 62 minutes, then James Fairley dribbled through and scored the second.

Chris Winn headed the third, and near the end he scored another.

Washington manager Stephen Hutchinson said; “It was a great result. Billingham are a well organised good side so to keep a clean sheet and score four means that I’m more than happy.”

Billingham Town manager Darren Trotter said; “It was a similar performance to last week. It was a tight first half, however this time when we conceded we chased the game and Washington picked us off. Hopefully we’ll learn from it and move on.”

Darlington RA are back into sixth after a good 5-2 away win at Birtley.

Steve Cheeseman scored from a Fred Huscroft pass, then Phil Caley headed the second. Birtley pulled a goal back through Dan Quine, but Huscroft made it 3-1 with a shot on the turn. Josh Bynoe finished off a good move for the fourth, and after Birtley pulled another goal back through Jak Mitchell, Caley scored his second goal near the end.

Darlington RA manager Warren Moncur said; “I thought we did very well, considering that we had a depleted squad due to illness and injuries. It was a great all round performance.”

Thornaby are now joint seventh after winning 1-0 at Alnwick, Jamie Clarke scoring the goal in the first half, his 16th league goal of the season.

Willington have now won five in a row after a good away win at Ryton and Crawcrook. Willington took the lead through Adam Burnicle on 23 minutes, then Marc Bell added the second on 34 minutes. Burnicle scored the third on 71 minutes, his 18th league goal of the season. Will Forsyth pulled a late goal back for Ryton.

At the bottom, Tow Law’s woes increased when they were beaten 4-1 at Northallerton. Aaron Ramsbottom and Ben Darville scored for Northallerton in the first half, and after Shaun Ryder pulled a goal back, Aaron’s brother Andrew and Craig Perry scored further goals.

Northallerton manager Danny Mellanby said; “It was a good solid three points on a heavy surface.”

Lawyers are now nine points adrift of safety because Esh Winning drew 2-2 at Stokesley, thanks to a last minute goal.

After a goalless first half, Jack Bradbury put Stokesley in front, but Liam Dempsey equalised. Bradbury scored his second to regain the lead just three minutes from the end, but in the dying seconds Lee Blades struck to give Esh a valuable point.

Stokesley manager Nicky Ward said; “It was a fair result. I thought we had snatched it until they scored with the last kick, but poor from us today. There were two well taken goals by Jack Bradbury.

Esh Winning manager Chris Blakelock said; “It was a scrappy game to start off, but then we settled down and created a lot of chances throughout the game but just couldn’t take them. Stokesley caught us twice on the break, and an excellent attitude from us to get a point with the last kick. But we should have won comfortably.”

Ryhope CW won for the first time in eight matches when they beat Heaton Stannington.

Nathan O’Neill gave Ryhope the lead with a first half penalty, but his second successful spot kick was hotly disputed by the Heaton Stannington defence.

The visitors pulled a late goal back through Gary Yates.

Ryhope CW manager Gary Pearson said; “I’d almost forgot what it was like to win, as we haven’t had many of late. It was a good solid performance throughout the team, reducing a decent visiting team to just two or three shots all game. We still need to be more clinical as a team in front of goal which looks on the cards very soon.”

Heaton Stannington assistant manager Geoff Walker said; “I can’t fault the effort of the team, they battled well against a physical route one side. In the second half we were getting on top and then were done by the worst refereeing decision I have seen in all my life in football. Their forward went through one on one with our keeper, and as he tries to go wound him our keeper clearly and cleanly took the ball off him with his hand. Unbelievably the ref pointed to the spot and red carded the keeper. The assistant shook his head, telling him it wasn’t a penalty so the red changed to yellow, but the penalty was scored. We kept going and pulled a goal back but absolutely disgusted that the referee has cost us. We had the same ref recently and he was just as bad.”

Five games were postponed – in the first division at Bishop Auckland, Consett and Sunderland RCA, and in the second division at Chester-le-Street and Whickham.

In the EvoStik League premier division, Blyth came from behind to beat Curzon Ashton 2-1 at Croft Park. Dan Maguire equalised, and in stoppage time Michael Richardson scored the winner.

Whitby were beaten 1-0 at home by Buxton, the goal coming from nine minutes from the end.