Town give themselves a boost with first win of the season

Town had lost their previous six league games, but this victory lifts them out of the bottom two above Dunston and Newton Aycliffe .

Manager Carl Jarrett said: “I’m relieved to get our first win, because now the players can believe in themselves again. They’ve given themselves a boost with this performance.”

Town took the lead with an early Craig Norman goal when he pounced on a poor throw back to Guisborough keeper Dan Dixon, and it was quickly followed by another from Nicky Martin, who capitalised on a poor back pass. Nathan Evans pulled one back, but Town went 4-1 up at half time through further goals by Glenn Butterworth and Jamie Owens.

Guisborough had more possession in the second half, but all they had to show for their efforts was a goal by Lee Bythway from a free kick ten minutes from the end.

Guisborough manager Chris Hardy said: “On another day we could well have won this game by 2 or 3, given the amount of chances we created, but that wasn't to be and credit must go to Billingham Town for their first league win.”

Darlington are now sic points clear after they beat Dunston 3-0 at the UTS Stadium.

Craig Stoddart has a full match report in the Darlington section of the website.

Darlington manager Martin Gray said: “I’m pleased to get six points out of Dunston this season, because they’re a vey good side.”

Dunston manager Billy Irwin said; “Our penalty miss at 0-0 was crucial.”

Newton Aycliffe dropped to the bottom of the table after they lost 1-0 at Newcastle Benfield. Aycliffe were below their best, and after their keeper Scott Pocklington pulled off a couple of good saves, they went behind after 53 minutes when Dan Taggart scored with a left foot shot. Benfield keeper Andrew Grainger made a good late save from Danny Earl, but Benfield were always on top.

Newcastle Benfield manager Perry Briggs said: “I was pleased with the lads’ reaction after last Saturday’s defeat. It was a great debut by Dan Taggart, he’ll be a very good player in the future. “ Norton are now in the bottom five after they were beaten 1-0 at Celtic Nation, for whom Craig Wilson scored from the spot in the first half.

Norton manager Andy Campbell said: “We were much better than in midweek. We were unlucky not to be in front in the first half, some good goalkeeping and goalline stops kept us out. We gave away a sloppy penalty just after the break but still unlucky to get an equaliser after last minute one on one.”

Bedlington jumped into third place after they trounced Billingham Synthonia 6-0, scoring four times in the first half. Phil Bannister put Bedlington in front with a header on 24 minutes, then Kris Gate scored from a left wing cross. Bedlington striker Paul Brayson converted a penalty for a foul by David Abel on 34 minutes, and just before the break Steve Bowey fired the fourth. Brayson ran through and scored his ninth league goal for this season, and in the dying minutes he played in Bannister for the sixth.

Billingham Synthonia manager Lee Tucker said: “We were just beaten by a far better team today. No excuses, they just utilised their quality really well.”

Durham City had a good 2-2 away draw at Whitley Bay. After Whitley had most of the early stages, Durham took the lead with a good shot by Gary Shaw, but Whitley levelled when Bran Smith forced the ball home after Paul Chow headed against the bar. Whitley took the lead on when Chow scored from a Paul Robinson pass, but Durham levelled with a 25 yarder by Scott Fenwick.

Durham manager Dickie Ord said: “I’m proud of them. It was a great game to watch.”

Whitley Bay manager Ian Chandler said; “It was the same old story. We should have won by 5 or 6, we missed so many chances in both halves. We got in front at 2-1, then switched off for 20 seconds, and that cost us their equaliser.”

Sunderland RCA beat Penrith 2-0 at Welfare Park to go into the top half of the table. Recent signing Gavin Barton gave them the lead from an Andy Hudson corner, and Aristote Guerian-Lokonga set up Andy Appleby for the second.

Sunderland RCA manager Neil Hixon said: “It was a tough game, a good win and a good three points.”

Ashington are now sixth after a 2-0 home win over Team Northumbria, both goals coming in the second half from Paul Antony and Andrew Johnson.

Team Northumbria manager Paul Johnson said: “We played well in the first half and after dominating possession had three good chances and a penalty turned down. But in the second half we allowed them to get better ball into Marc Walton who caused problems in front of goal and after a cross was misjudged by our keeper went in, they got as boost. The second half was again from one of our mistakes where we didn’t screen a simple throw in and they capitalised from it. We barely posed a threat on their goal in the second half.”

South Shields moved away from the bottom three by winning 4-0 at Hebburn, Peter Kane scoring a hat trick. He scored his first midway through the first half from a Barrie Smith cross, then a few minutes later Glenn Ford got the second from a Paul Talbot corner. Kane headed the third from a Chris Feasey cross, and got his hat trick with a left foot shot on 54 minutes.

Hebburn manager Paul Bennett said: “A shocking performance from start to finish. 4-0 flattered us, and in all honesty we couldn’t have complained if it was 7 or 8, The same group of players get praise when they do well, but they must take collective responsibility for an atrocious 90 minutes.”

Consett leapfrogged over Marske United with a 2-1 win at Mount Pleasant, their first ever win on that ground. Michael Mackay scored his third league goal of the season after 17 minutes from a Luke Sullivan pass, and Michael Pearson got the second from corner just before half time . Chris McGill pulled a goal back for Marske with a looping header near the end.

Consett manager Kenny Lindoe said: “It was an excellent team performance, and we deserved a more realistic scoreline. Too many chances missed and then we were made to sweat on the result when they got a late goal.”

In the second division, Ryhope CW’s great start continued when they thumped fellow promotion challengers Whitehaven 5-2. Phil Hall and Richie Jordan put Ryhope 2-0 up by the 15th minute, but Whitehaven battled back and levelled by the hour mark through Matty Tymon and Kevin Connelly. But then Ryhope’s deadly striking duo took over, and Chris Winn, who is being watched by several clubs from higher up the ladder, put his side back in the lead on 61 minutes, with his partner, Johnny Butler, scoring another four minutes later. Winn then scored his 13th league goal of the season with a few minutes left. Butler has now scored 19 for the season.

Second placed Northallerton also beat Seaham Red Star by the same scoreline at Ainderby Road. Seaham took an early lead through Alan Pegram, but Northallerton came storming back through Carl Chillingsworth (2), Adam Emson, Gavin Parkin and Steve Butterworth before Pegram scored a late consolation in the last minute.

Northallerton manager Mark Fanning said: “Happy just to get back to winning ways. We struggled for the first twenty minutes but once we got going we did enough to win the game. We played better Wednesday and lost, but that's football.”

Seaham manager Mark Collingwood said: “We had 22 shots, they had 6 and scored 5. That’s the Northern League for you. You make mistakes and you get punished at this level. We must learn quickly if we are to climb the table.”

Darlington RA stay third after winning 2-0 at Alnwick, player manager Nick Harrison and Fred Huscroft scoring the goals.

Darlington RA manager Nick Harrison said: “It wasn’t very pleasing on the eye, and Alnwick deserved a draw. Shall we say that the wine and cheese was good on the way home!”

Esh Winning’s good run ended when they were beaten 1-0 at Horden, who had conceded 12 goals in their previous two games. Paul Johnson scored the goal for Horden near the end.

Horden manager Peter Mulcaster said: “We made a few changes, and as a result we got a good performance. The new players made a massive difference to us.”

Stokesley stunned Tow Law with a 5-2 win at Ironworks Road. Ben Bonner scored a hat trick for Stokesley, with Sam Vernalls and Michael Lee scoring their goals, with Matty Scott and Dan Wilson replying. However, Stokesley had keeper Graeme Willey to thank for some excellent saves.

Stokesley assistant manager Chris Lax said; “It was a very good performance all round. We dug deep when Tow Law got back to 2-1and scored three in between Tow Law having some great chances. It was a great hat trick from ben Bonner.”

Crook also scored five, beating Birtley 5-1. They took the lead in the opening minutes through Warren Byrne from a Robbie Bird cross, but Birtley levelled on 26 minutes through Luke Wilson. But Byrne hit back to put his side in the lead again on 36 minutes, and then he set up Craig Hughes for the third a few minutes after half time. Kevin Devine headed the fourth, and Craig Price added another with a free kick.

Keeper Barry Poskett played in goal for Crook after making his peace following his walkout in midweek.

Crook manager Gary Pearson said: “This week has been a real soap opera. Hopefully, we can now find some consistency.”

Birtley manager Scott Oliver said; “It was never a 5-1 game. I’m delighted with the way my lads played. There were some great stuff and created chances all game. Their front two were a handful.”

Chester-le-Street and West Allotment drew 1-1. Dean Lee went close for Allotment before he finished off a good move to put them in the lead, but Chester came more into the game in the second half and levelled through Marc Nixon who fired into the bottom corner.

Chester-le-Street manager Colin Wake said: “I thought it was a fair result. In the first half Allotment deserved their half time lead and in the second half we played much better and deservedly equalised. It was the first point the club had gained against Allotment since they came into the league.”

West Allotment manager Paul Stoneman said: “I couldn’t have asked any more of the lads after last week’s defeat. We were excellent in the first half and battled really hard in the second half. We almost nicked it right at the end but to be honest we should have had the game sewn up before half time.”

Morpeth are the only second division club with an unbeaten record following their goalless draw with Whickham, for whom keeper Scott Cresswell pulled off several good saves.

Whickham manager Robin Falcus said: “It was a good competitive game. We started brightly and Morpeth finished the first half stronger. We defended brilliantly in the second half, and a special mention to Scott Cresswell who got us the point. He was outstanding.”

Washington leapfrogged over Thornaby with a 4-2 win at Teesdale Park. Dean Walker scored a hat trick for Washington, with Mark Covell getting the other. Richie Walker and Gary Mitchell replied for Thornaby.

Washington manager Richie Latimer said: “It wasn’t the best of games, but we pulled together and got the job done. It was nice to get an away win, and hopefully our season has kick started.”

Ryton and Crawcrook are still bottom after they lost 2-1 at home to Jarrow Roofing. New signing Dan Smart put Roofing ahead, with Paul King equalising. Josh Allen scored the winner late in the game.

Brandon won 4-2 at Gateshead Leam Rangers to go through to the first round of the Durham Challenge Cup, new signing from Ryhope CW Stephen Moody scoring a hat trick.

The first round draw of the Durham Challenge Cup, to be played on or before November 3rd is: Stockton Town or Bishop Auckland v South Shields, Norton v Hartlepool United, Billingham Town v Sunderland RCA, Boldon CA v Crook Town, Sunderland Ryhope CW v Seaton Carew, Newton Aycliffe v Spennymoor , Brandon v Jarrow Roofing, Esh Winning v Billingham Synthonia, Hartlepool (Wearside League) v Seaham Red Star, West Auckland v Birtley, Jarrow v Durham City, Willington v Gateshead, Whickham v Dunston, Chester-le-Street v Hebburn, Shildon v Darlington CB, Consett v Sunderland West End.