It was two out of three for the Northern League clubs in the FA Cup third qualifying round. Despite taking an early lead through ex-Shildon and Gateshead defender Jamie Harwood, Spennymoor went down 3-1 at Witton Albion, who play their football one level up the pyramid in Northern Premier League Division One. Ashington turned in a hugely creditable performance to see off Guiseley of the Blue Square North, thanks to a first half goal from Jamie Clarke in front of a crowd of over 700. Second Division Hebburn Town join the Colliers just 90 minutes from a place in the FA Cup proper after a 4-2 win at Radcliffe Borough, who play in the same division as Spennymoor’s conquerors.
Back in the Northern League, Whitley Bay’s slump continued with a 3-2 home defeat to leaders Sunderland RCA, while second placed West Auckland Town followed up their midweek victory at Dunston with a 2-1 over Bedlington Terriers. Dunston stay third after a goalless draw with fourth-placed Newton Aycliffe. Billingham Synthonia won 2-0 at Newcastle Benfield to move above Bay into sixth. At the wrong end of the table, South Shields – whose Filtrona Park ground has been put up for sale by ex-club owner John Rundle at a price of £300,000 went down 3-1 at Guisborough. Tow Law Town picked up their second three points of the season with a 1-0 win at Jarrow Roofing.
In Division Two, a Gavin Donoghue hat-trick gave Team Northumbria a 3-1 win at Horden and maintained their six point lead over Whickham, 3-1 winners themselves at home to Crook Town. West Allotment Celtic stay third despite a 2-1 home loss to Esh Winning.
Leaders Willington lost 2-1 at home to Gateshead Leam Rangers but stay top of the Wearside League with Redcar not playing and Ryhope busy thrashing Stockton 4-0 in the Monkwearmouth Cup. In the Alliance, Heaton Stannington beat Carlisle City 1-0 at Grounsell Park to go five points ahead at the top of the league.
The top three clubs in all four divisions:
Northern League Division One
Sunderland RCA P 14 Pts 33
West Auckland Town P 13 Pts 32
Dunston UTS P 14 Pts 29
Northern League Division Two
Team Northumbria P 14 Pts 32
Whickham P 15 Pts 26
West Allotment P 13 Pts 23
Wearside League
Willington P 15 Pts 34
Redcar Athletic P 14 Pts 32
Ryhope CW P 12 Pts 31
Northern Alliance Premier
Heaton Stannington P10 Pts 24
Carlisle City P9 Pts 19
Shankhouse P9 Pts 19
