Ray Simpson`s Northern League Review...

A last-minute winner gave Dickie Ord’s Durham City their first league win of the season against Consett in the.....

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Published 28th August 2012

....Ebac Northern League First Division on Bank Holiday Monday.

Former Hartlepool striker Michael Mackay put Consett into the lead from the penalty spot just before half-time, but Durham equalised with a Steve Thompson header.

David Scorer put Consett back into the lead with a close range header, but Scott Fenwick levelled with another header, almost from the edge of the box.

And inspired Durham got the winner in stoppage time when sub Jack Pounder scored from a few yards.

Durham manager Dickie Ord said: "It's great to get off the mark in the league following two cup wins. We played really well."

Consett manager Ken Lindoe said: "We should be winning games at 2-1 up with 15 minutes to go, but we are conceding goals too easily. They scored twice with goals that should have been prevented."

Lindoe has revealed that defender Carl Piecha has agreed to sign a two-year contract, beating off interest from Whitley Bay and Celtic Nation.

Bishop Auckland made it a dozen goals from two weekend matches when they thumped Newton Aycliffe 5-1 at Moore Lane.

Bishops took the lead when Aycliffe keeper Scott Pocklington didn’t hold a right wing cross, and Craig Hodgson scored from a few yards, and it was 2-0 when Andy Johnson got through, and even though he was denied by Pocklington, Kieran Megran scored from the rebound.

Aycliffe gave themselves brief hope at the second half when Sam Vernalls glanced in a left wing corner, but Johnson took advantage of another Pocklington error and tapped in.

Johnson cleverly controlled a ball through from Matthew Weir to make it 4-1, and Dan Parker got the fifth with a powerful header from a Sonny Andrews corner.

Bishops manager Colin Myers said: "We always looked dangerous, and could have scored a lot more. Twelve goals from two weekend matches isn't bad."

Billingham Synthonia and Norton & Stockton Ancients both picked up their first points of the season in their 2-2 draw at Central Avenue.

Steve Huggins put Synners into the lead from a Nathan Jameson pass on 28 minutes, but Norton levelled when Synners’ defender Danny McWilliams headed into his own net just on half-time.

Andy Jennings restored Synners’ lead from a Karl Richards cross, but former Synners` player Andy Harbron equalised for Norton after 74 minutes.

Norton manager Andy Campbell said: "I'm pleased we've picked up our first point, but we're still giving sloppy goals away."

Bedlington are top of the table on goal difference after beating Ashington 4-0.

Former Darlington player Stuart Elliott fired them into the lead from the edge of the box after 20 minutes, and Paul Brayson dribbled past two defenders to make it 2-0 just before half-time.

Brayson broke away and set up Steven Baptiste to score from a few yards, then Brayson completed the scoring from the spot late in the game.

Hebburn had a good 2-0 away win at Team Northumbria. The visitors took the lead on 53 minutes when Scott Robson fired into the bottom corner from the edge of the box, and 5 minutes from the end Stephen Forster ran from the half way line and scored the second.

Hebburn manager Paul Bennett said: "It was a very pleasing performance. We were never under any threat for the entire 90 minutes. I was pleased for Scott Robson to score his first goal for the club."

TN manager Paul Johnson said: "I was massively disappointed as it was a game we should ahve won. We controlled the possession well in the game but weren't bright enough on the final pass at times. We missed five opportunities and should have done better."

Penrith easily crushed Celtic Nation 5-1 , with Steven Rigg scoring four of them, and David Nugent the other. CN manager Steve Skinner said: "That was the worst game I have been involved in. We were poor from start to finish. We had most of the ball, but no end product."

In the Second Division, the morning’s leaders Darlington RA were beaten 2-1 at home by Northallerton Town.

The visitors took the lead after 7 minutes through Adam Emson from ten yards out, but the RA equalised after 70 minutes through David Webster from the edge of the area. But with just two minutes remaining, Craig Winter headed the winner.

Northallerton manager Mark Fanning said: "We're pleased with the result as it's a difficult place to go and get the three points. We had to work hard defensively as they had most of the possession but I did feel that we posed a threat from set pieces and so it proved."

Darlington RA manager Nick Harrison said "I'm gutted. In 90 minutes we switched off twice and they scored. Apart from that, I couldn't ask for any more."

Ryhope CW discovered their shooting boots again to go top of the table when they won 5-0 at Seaham Red Star, although they had the benefit of two own goals, Chris Winn with two and John Butler got the others.

Ryhope Cw manager Martin Swales said: "I thought we played very well, and caused them all sorts of problems."

Whitehaven striker Matty Tymon did a one man demolition job of Ryton, scoring five of Whitehaven’s goals in their 6-4 win. Ryton were 4-2 up at one point.

Seaham Red Star manager Mark Collingwood said: "I am lost for words. We threw the towel in, and that's unacceptable. We need to ship a few out and bring in a couple of new faces."

Esh Winning won their first league game of the season when they defeated Brandon 2-0 at Waterhouses. Chris Smith scored on the half hour after Gary Turton’s shot was blocked, and a few minutes later Turton broke through and chipped the keeper.

Esh Winning manager Andrew Soppitt said: "We could have scored more, but we didn't capitalise on opportunities in their final third."

Thornaby won their first game of the season by 3-1 at Stokesley SC, who are still bottom.

Danny Lofts scored two of the goals for Thornaby, whose manager ray Morton said: "The wind spoiled the game. It was a hard battle, and they didn't give in until near the end."

Jarrow Roofing won 3-0 at Horden CW, Josh Allen (2) and Calvin McMahon scoring. Horden manager Peter Mulcaster said: "Another iffy performance, we need to change things a bit."

Roofing boss Richie McLoughlin said: "I'm happy with the result as we had three regulars away."

Morpeth Town won 4-0 at Alnwick Town, who haven’t scored yet in four league games this season.

[Source: Ray Simpson]