FA VASE holders Spennymoor breathed a huge sigh of relief when they came back from Winsford with a goalless draw on a “horrendous pitch” in the opening game of their trophy defence on Saturday.

Moors can deal with the vast majority of opponents, but they had problems dealing with Winsford on a pitch that resembled a ploughed field after being used for a league game last Tuesday night.

Manager Jason Ainsley said; “The pitch was horrendous and not conducive to good football, so it was a game in which we had to do the ugly side well.

“We could have played better, but we had enough chances. We hit the bar three times and had 20 shots, but before extra time started I would have settled for a replay.”

Moors also had two shots cleared off the opposition line.

The replay will take place at the Brewery Field tomorrow night.

It couldn’t have been a better day for the Northern League, with only two clubs going out, and they were in all ENL clashes.

West Auckland beat their neighbours and rivals Shildon by a single goal at the Seagraves Stadium in a game that failed to live up to expectations, partly because both clubs knew plenty about each other.

There were very few chances in the game with Dennis Knight twice going close for West, and Craig Ruddy with a header for Shildon.

The only goal was after 67 minutes when sub Paul Garthwaite picked the ball up in midfield and hit a 25-yarder into the top corner past Shildon keeper Lewis Graham.

Shildon only had one chance to equalise after that, Mark Hudson firing straight at West keeper Jordan Nixon, while at the other end Mattie Moffat lobbed Graham, but a defender cleared off the line.

West manager Peter Dixon said; “Ironically, Paul was only on the field because of an injury to Shaun Vipond. I thought we controlled the game from the first minute to the last, we put a lot of work into the game. Knowing our luck now, we’ll be drawn against the highest possible team.”

Shildon manager Gary Forrest, who thought that the West management and players were disrespectful after the game said: “We’re very disappointed, we just couldn’t get going on that bobbly pitch.

I hope West are drawn against the worst team and get knocked out.”

Dixon responded; “Maybe Gary heard the celebrations from inside our dressing room.”

The away win of the day was by Billingham Synthonia, by 3-2 at Maine Road the leaders of the North West Counties League.

David Alderson gave Synners the lead after 21 minutes with a deflected shot, but the NWCL side quickly equalised.

Synners went 2-1 up with a Nathan Porritt penalty for a foul on Kris Hughes, but again Maine Road levelled before half time.

But when Synners took the lead for a third time through Shaun Clarke’s 25 yarder on 64 minutes, they held on to it, although the home side hit the post in stoppage time.

Synners assistant manager Lee Tucker said; “We were excellent offensively for the first half hour, but gave away two goals which made them pretty pleased to go in level at half time. The second half was pretty even but we scored a well worked goal for the winner and survived a few scares after that.”

2012 winners Dunston UTS won their all Northern League game against Crook Town by 2-1.

Dale Burrell put UTS into the lead with an effort from a Lee McAndrew assist, and they went 2-0 up just after half time when Nicky Kane scored.

Crook pulled a goal back with a Richard Hodgson penalty and they missed a couple of chances for an equaliser.

Crook manager Gary Pearson said: “I thought we did enough to earn a replay. We conceded easy goals and we need to tighten that up as it puts a load of pressure on our forwards to score more than one each game. It was a day of missed chances and costly defensive errors.”

Four times winners Whitley Bay beat Runcorn Town 3-0 at Hillheads.

Leon Ryan, who has won the Vase with Whitley Bay and Spennymoor, scored twice inside the first ten minutes with headers from corners and midway through the second half youngster Tony Kempster then made sure with a third from the edge of the box.

Whitley Bay manager Ian Chandler said; “I’m absolutely delighted with a real top performance against another very good team. We hit Runcorn hard in the first half with two headed goals from Leon.”

Newcastle Benfield comfortably beat Cheadle 6-2 at Sam Smiths Park. Steven Baptist headed Benfield into an early lead, then a defender deflected a cross from Baptist into his own goal. Tony Stephenson set up Paul Brayson to score from a few yards for 3-0, and after the visitors pulled a goal back, Brayson chipped the fourth.

Cheadle made it 4-2, before player manager Steve Bowey headed the fifth, and Baptist completed his hat trick.

Whickham reached the third round for the first time in 20 years when they beat Parkgate 3-0 at the Glebe.

Stephen Aiston gave them the lead just on half time, then he and Sam McIntosh added two goals in as many minutes in the second half.

Morpeth beat home side Cleethorpes 6-1, after taking an early lead through Michael Chilton. Cleethorpes levelled, and didn’t help themselves by missing two penalties and having a man sent off. Morpeth took advantage by scoring more goals through Chris Jewell, Andrew Keenan, Sean Taylor (2) and Michael Hall.

Ashington beat Worksop Parramore 3-1. They took the lead when Andrew Johnson scored from a Kyle Oliver pass, then Worksop had a man sent off following an off-theball incident. James Taylor made it 2-0 early in the second half, then Worksop had another man red carded. The visitor pulled one back, but Oliver made the game safe. Glen Taylor also missed a penalty for Ashington.

Jarrow Roofing completed a great day for the league by winning 3-1 at AFC Emley.

The NCEL side took the lead through Alex Hallam after five minutes, but Roofing levelled with a Dean Nicholson penalty on 25 minutes.

Five minutes before the break Roofing were in the lead, when Stephen Young scored from a Dan Kirkup assist, and the same pair combined again when Young scored the third from a Kirkup long ball.

Jarrow Roofing manager Richie McLoughlin said; “We conceded early, but after slight adjustments we took control and once we went 3-1 up we looked to contain and see the game out.”

  • Today’s third round draw is regionalised, and there is the strong possibility of at least one tie involving the top clubs in the ENL.