Ray Simpson`s Northern League Review...

It’s a Darlington double, with both clubs from the town at the top of their respective divisions in the Ebac Northern League.

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Published 26th August 2012

The Quakers are top of the First Division with nine points from three games after a 3-0 away win at Consett , Amar Purewal, Shaun Reay and local lad Steve Johnson scoring the goals.

Manager Martin Gray said: “I’ve got to be pleased with three points. We started the game really well, and controlled it from then on.”

Consett manager Ken Lindoe said: “We were second best, and we couldn’t keep our momentum going from the win in midweek. Both of Darlington’s wide men were very effective.”

Meanwhile, Darlington RA are top of the Second Division after they beat relegated Tow Law Town 3-0 at Brinkburn Road – but manager Nick Harrison says that any talk of promotion is very premature.

The RA have picked up seven points from their first three games to give them a point advantage over everybody else, but there’s no chance of them getting carried away, especially with a tough local derby against Northallerton Town at Brinkburn Road on Monday.

Harrison said: “Three points, three goals and a clean sheet, I can’t really grumble. We’re top of the table, but we’re not getting carried away. We’ll have a good idea after fifteen games.”

The RA took the lead when David Webster scored from a Graham Whitehead cross, and then Steve Allison scored from another Whitehead assist. Allison made sure with the third from a Lee Johnston pass in the dying minutes.

Tow Law manager Gary Anderson said: “We were still in the changing rooms for the first 15 minutes. We came back into the game, but overall a bad day against a team that we made look good.”

In the First Division, Newton Aycliffe’s wretched start to the season continued when they were beaten 3-0 at Team Northumbria, leaving them at the bottom of the table.

TN took the lead with a goal by former Darlington midfielder Dan Riley after 21 minute. Tom Davies fired into the bottom corner on the hour, and Ben Sayer completed the scoring near the end.

Team Northumbria manager Paul Johnson said: “We built well on last Monday night’s result. We were very good in possession, but pressed well and forced Aycliffe into mistakes. It’s pleasing that we are making a good start and with strong players still to return, the feeling about the club is very positive.”

Newton Aycliffe manager Allan Oliver said: “Two of their goals were freakish. We’re having a bad time at the moment, and we have to dig in.”

Billingham Synthonia are also without a point after they lost 4-3 at home to Newcastle Benfield.

Stephen Young gave Benfield an early lead, but Nathan Jameson headed the equaliser from a corner. David Pounder restored Benfield’s lead from a free-kick and then John Alexander got the third from the spot.

Nathan Jameson pulled a goal back, but Ian Graham virtually made sure at the other end. Jamie Blyth scored a very late third for Synners.

Newcastle Benfield manager Perry Briggs said: “It was a good reaction from our defeat in midweek, and now our season has kickstarted.”

Billingham Synthonia assistant-manager Lee Tucker said: “We were terrible in the first half and made mistakes that were deservedly punished. We were better in the second half, but ultimately we beat ourselves.”

In the other Second Division matches, previous leaders Ryhope CW lost 3-1 at home to North Shields.

Shields took the lead with a James Harmison header, but Mark Catcheside equalised direct from a free-kick. Femi Akinbolu put Shields back into the lead from a pass by Adam Forster, and Keith Douglas wrapped up the points from the penalty spot after Dean Holmes was fouled.

Ryhope Cw manager Martin Swales said: “North Shields were very well organised and very tough to break down. We gave them three goals. We hit the woodwork three times in the second half, but they broke very well and hit us on the counter.”

Chester-le-Street are up to fourth, thanks to their first win of the season by 2-0 over Ryton.

Scott Donaldson and Marc Nixon scored at the start of each half, while Chester had Nicky Doyle dismissed for two yellows, and had to play the last 30 minutes with ten men.

Chester-le-Street manager Colin Wake said: “It was a good win against a well-organised Ryton side who try to play football the right way. We scored in the first 5 minutes of each half, and then defended well for the last half hour after we had a man sent off.”

Northallerton’s unbeaten start came to an end when they were beaten 2-0 at home by Morpeth Town.

The visitors took the lead through Andrew Keenan after just 6 minutes, but Town nearly levelled through Ian Smurthwaite, who was denied by the post. However, Morpeth got the winner when Mark Grant’s effort was blocked, and Micky Chilton scored from the rebound.

Northallerton manager Mark Fanning said: “The lack of passion and desire was not acceptable. Too many thought that all they had to do was turn up and the game was won. Rude awakening and I expect a vast improvement on Monday. Fair play to Morpeth wanted it more than us.”

Seaham Red Star won their first game under new boss Mark Collingwood with a 2-0 away win at Thornaby - Michael McKeown and Daniel Gray scoring the goals.

Seaham manager Mark Collingwood said: “We had seven players missing, but the lads who came in did very well. We were comfortable and could have scored five and Thornaby would have had no complaints.”

Thornaby assistant-manager Ray Morton said: “Seaham had three shots in the game and scored two goals. That just about sums up the game in which we had enough chances and possession to pick up the points.”

Brandon United won their first game of the season by 4-0 at home to Alnwick Town.

Scott Hine and Liam Bowes scored in the first half, with Ged Wraith and Owen Lancaster scoring after half-time. Alnwick have yet to score a goal this season.

Whickham have conceded nine goals in their last two games after they lost 4-1 at Whitehaven.

Kevin Connelly and Darren Donald scored in 3 minutes before half-time, then Greg Quayle and Stuart Shaw scored in the second half. Whickham scored their consolation through Andrew Snaith right at the end.

Whickham manager Robin Falcus said: “The first half was pretty even, but two mistakes in the last two minutes of the first half cost us dearly. It was a similar story again in the second half, shooting ourselves in the foot.”

The games at Sunderland RCA and Washington were both postponed because of waterlogged pitches.

[Source: Ray Simpson]