Northallerton Town 5

Hebburn Town 1

NORTHALLERTON Town's recent impressive form continued with an emphatic home win over Hebburn Town last Saturday.

Town, who have now won their last five league games, are still fourth in division two. But they are now equal on points with Washington Nissan and West Allotment Celtic, although nine points behind leaders Prudhoe Town.

They got off to a great start against Hebburn as they raced into an early lead, Simon Colligan scoring in the fifth minute with a superb first-time volley from 12 yards following a right-wing cross from recent signing Ian Williams.

Town doubled their advantage two minutes later through Ross Foreman, who placed a perfect lob over keeper Gary Frater from ten yards after receiving a fine pass from Dominic Gamble.

Northallerton were denied an excellent scoring chance in the tenth minute when Ross Diamond was brought down from behind when clear through on goal.

The offence was just outside the area and Hebburn full back Dave Leonard could consider himself lucky to get away with just a caution.

But, to their credit, Hebburn came storming back to reduce the deficit in the 14th minute through Mark Diamond, whose volley from the right angle of the area looped over keeper Sam Dobbs.

Two minutes later a fierce 20-yard drive from Leonard just cleared the bar.

But, after absorbing this brief spell of pressure, Town soon regained control and went close to increasing their lead in the 26th minute when the impressive Williams was put clear by a through ball from Foreman, but his shot went just the wrong side of the post.

Gamble spurned a superb chance when he fired straight at Frater from a good position in the 29th minute, but it was now all Town and they went close again in the 36th minute when a Williams header from Diamond's right-wing cross went just wide of the upright.

Northallerton, who scored seven in their previous home game against Willington, made a great start to the second half and increased their lead in the 49th minute when Foreman forced the ball home from close range after a Colligan shot came back off the foot of the post.

Hebburn just had no answer as Town kept the pressure on. Craig Winter was just off target with a header following a Gamble right-wing corner in the 65th minute, then five minutes later Diamond made a great run into the area before slipping the ball to Foreman, whose well-hit drive was brilliantly tipped over the bar by Frater.

But Town went 4-1 up in the 74th minute through Diamond, who finished perfectly with a low drive after Foreman had headed on a Gamble cross.

Substitute David Onions added the fifth two minutes from time with a great individual effort, beating two defenders before blasting the ball home from 12 yards.

Northallerton travel to Norton & Stockton Ancients tomorrow, kick-off 3pm, and on Tuesday they are at home to first division side Thornaby in the North Riding Senior Cup, kick-off 7.30.