Billingham Synthonia vs Newcastle Benfield

I haven’t been to many Northern League games this season that haven’t featured Easington Colliery. My first game back after being in Crete was between Ryhope CW and Dunston UTS but other than tonight, that was my only other Northern League game not featuring Easington. Mind, in November, we at Easington have a spell where we don’t have a game for three weeks so I’m sure to be going to some other games then! I was going to go to Seaham Red Star vs Consett last night but that was postponed at the weekend due to a problem at the ground. This game was meant to be played tomorrow night at Newcastle Benfield but a problem to their ground too meant that it was reversed with Synners being at home and brought forward by 24 hours. I was travelling down the A19 tonight without knowing which game to go to. It was either this game on Stockton Town vs Marske United but I went for this in the end. When Billingham Synthonia announced they’d be leaving Central Avenue at the end of last year, it came as a surprise to me. Playing at Norton is bound to be difficult for them.

Match report:

Synthonia and Benfield share the points in 2-2 draw

Billingham Synthonia and Newcastle Benfield were both forced to settle for a point in a 2-2 draw at Norton Sports Complex on Wednesday night.

Synthonia led twice through a Jordan Jewson brace, but goals from Oliver Leedham and Dan Taylor rescued a point for Newcastle Benfield.

Synthonia started with Callum Hassan and Jewson leading the line, while Paul Brayson and Mark Donninger led the Newcastle Benfield attack.

The visitors started brightly and a Brayson free-kick was deflected not too far wide within the opening seven minutes.

Soon after, the man fired not too far wide of the top corner from 18 yards while Billingham Synthonia looked to find Hassan in all of their attacks.

In the 12th minute, a through ball did find Hassan and he beat the last defender before rounding the ‘keeper. However, the former Hartlepool United man was slightly off balance and by the time he managed to get a shot away, a defender was on hand to block his effort.

However, the Synners were to take the lead halfway through the first half. Good work down the right wing from Jewson found a bit of room and his low cross-cum-shot found a way through a host of bodies to hit the inside of the post and nestle into the net.

Hassan could have doubled the Teessiders lead four minutes later. Beating the offside trap with a perfectly timed run, the forward found himself in a race with the goalkeeper to reach the ball. Getting to the ball first, Hassan stabbed the ball beyond Benfield goalkeeper Andrew Grainger but it trickled agonisingly wide.

Synthonia’s David Hillerby tried his luck from long-range in the 37th minute and Grainger was forced to punch the moving effort before Hassan rounded the ‘keeper again but couldn’t find the target from a very tight angle.

It was a level first half on the whole, but Synthonia were definitely seeing the better of the chances.

Four minutes before the break though, Newcastle Benfield almost pulled level when a 20-yard effort crashed back off the post with Synthonia new signing Adrian Beblowski beaten.

Following the break, Newcastle Benfield pulled level with the first real chance less than four minutes in. An extended spell of pressure ended with Synthonia failing to clear their lines and the ball fell to Leedham who picked out the bottom corner.

Despite plenty of effort from both sides, there wasn’t a great deal of action early in the second half.

Kieran Edwards squandered a half chance while Donninger failed to find the target at the other end.

Synthonia’s first goal came halfway through the first half, and their second goal came exactly halfway through the second half too. Chris Salmon’s clever ball played Jewson in and the former Hartlepool United youngster made no mistake in slotting past Grainger.

With just shy of 10 minutes to play, Brayson looked as though he was pull Benfield level. The 40-year-old was played in and he attempted to dink the ball over Beblowski who had committed himself. However, the former Thornaby goalkeeper did very well to get a hand on it and his defence cleared.

But, Billingham Synthonia couldn’t hold out as Benfield did pull level in the 83rd minute. Captain Mark Turnbull drilled a low ball towards the back post where the slightest of touches from Taylor helped it on its way into the far corner.

Brayson took responsibility of two long-range free-kicks for Benfield in additional time but failed to find the target with either and the points were shared.

Full-time: Billingham Synthonia 2-2 Newcastle Benfield

Next up for me is Easington Colliery vs Ryton & Crawcrook Albion on Saturday.

Billingham Synthonia: Beblowski, Hillerby, Gavin, Seaton (c), Rowe, Nelson, Salmon, Edwards, Hassan, Jewson, Hume

Subs (all unused): Garton, Priestley, Breslin, Gibbs

Newcastle Benfield: Grainger, Turnbull (c), Novak, Nisbet (Convery, 83′), Scorgie, Dummett, Leedham (Taylor, 77’), McEvoy, Brayson, Donninger, Hailes

Unused subs: Nimmons, Bowey

Admission: £6 adults, £3 concessions

Programme: £1

Attendance: 71

Chips: £1.50

Can of Pepsi Max: 80p

Referee: Michael Andrews

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Sunderland Ladies vs Doncaster Rovers Belles

I expressed my disappointment in what is happening with Sunderland Ladies in my match report for Sunderland vs Nottingham Forest during the week but I really can’t see many good points to it. Firstly, the idea of having to train in Newcastle as they “can’t be accommodated” is absurd to me. Yes, there may not be room in the indoor pitches at Sunderland but surely a club at the level that Sunderland are at can afford to put some floodlights up so players can train! Training in Newcastle totally defies the point of being Sunderland really! As for the ground, why exactly can’t they play at Eppleton? How many games are going to be played on that pitch this season? Sunderland U23s will play 15 if that, Durham County will play two or three and Sunderland U18s may play one or two. Sunderland Ladies would play probably about 15 too. Surely, a football pitch managed by a Championship club is capable of holding 40 games a season! Mariners Park will be used a lot more. South Shields have a busy campaign in the Evo-Stik North and their under-19 team will be using it too. Putting Sunderland Ladies on top, surely Eppleton CW is the better option! What Sunderland are doing to their ladies team amazes me. International players such as Jill Scott, Demi Stokes, Lucy Bronze, Jordan Nobbs, Steph Houghton and Carly Telford along with many more have come through Sunderland Ladies and gone on to have very successful careers. Now, lets look at the men’s side. Yes, they do all right in the under-23 league but where are their players now. Jordan Henderson is really the only one to go on at the very top level. You’ve got players who came through Sunderland a few years ago who don’t even cut it in the Northern League. The way Sunderland AFC are treating Sunderland AFC Ladies is disgusting for me. I will watch the girls as often as I can, but I won’t be traveling to South Shields every home game.

To the game and it was a forgettable affair. Jess Sigsworth looked dangerous throughout the first half without creating any real chances for Doncaster Rovers Belles. Abbey Joice fired over after good work in the 20th minute for Sunderland while a couple of powerful efforts tested Anke Preuss at the other end.

Lucy Staniforth went close with two free-kick but failed to find the target while the Doncaster stopper was forced into a good save to prevent Dominique Bruinenberg from long-range with 10 minutes of the first half to play.

Sunderland could, and maybe should have taken the lead just before half-time when a defense-splitting pass played Anna Young in but she couldn’t find the target.

The game was played in more or less constant rain, with heavy downpours happening every so often.

With Rachael Laws now in goal for Sunderland, Doncaster Belles tested the former Durham stopper a couple of times early in the second half but she was equal to them.

Sunderland hit the crossbar as the second half wore on and despite still not creating a great lot, the Lady Black Cats did edge the game.

It looked to be a goalless draw until the referee awarded Sunderland a penalty in the 86th minute. Why, I’ve not a clue. Neither did anyone in the ground really! But, Lucy Staniforth stepped up and converted.

And, Staniforth would collect her second two minutes later when a perfectly weighted through ball played her in and she rounded the ‘keeper to slot home.

Full-time: Sunderland Ladies 2-0 Doncaster Rovers Belles

Next up for me is Seaham Red Star vs Consett on Tuesday.

Admission: Free

Programme: No

Attendance: 150

Bottle of Pepsi: £1

Heaton Stannington vs Easington Colliery

Paul hat-trick helps Colliers claim point in 10 goal thriller

David Paul scored a hat-trick as Easington Colliery came from behind to claim a point in a 5-5 thriller at Heaton Stannington on Saturday afternoon.

In a thrilling contest, Heaton Stannington led 3-1, 4-2 and 5-3 but Paul’s 91st minute penalty ensured the Colliers pinched a point.

Ethan Tait put the hosts in command with a brace inside the opening half hour. After his 14th minute strike, Tait doubled Heaton Stannington’s lead in the 30th minute only for a fine individual effort from Michael Cooke to half the deficit.

Lee Johnson regained the Stan’s lead in the 37th minute but Paul pulled Easington back to within one 13 minutes into the second half.

Seconds after conceding, Josh Holland regained Heaton Stannington’s two goal lead but Paul was on hand again to head home in the 66th minute.

Johnson collected his second and Heaton Stan’s fifth 12 minutes from time and the hosts must have thought they had the points.

But, in the 88th minute, David Vincent made it 5-4 and Paul’s 91st minute penalty ensured the Colliers pinched a point.

With Reece Kenney and Kyle Donaldson missing through suspension, Ethan Anderson started in goal and with Cooke on the wing.

It was a very youthful starting XI for the Colliers. David Paul was the only senior player in the squad and with the exception of Robbie Thompson who is 21, the rest of the team are only 20-year-old or younger.

Easington started well and there was a half chance for Paul inside the opening two minutes but it was the hosts who would have the first real say as they took the lead inside the opening quarter of an hour. Robson and Holland linked up down the wing and the ball was played across the face of goal where Tait fired home from close-range.

Jay Redman tried his luck twice without success as Easington looked for a response, while Cooke dragged wide after promising play in the 27th minute.

Just before the half hour mark, Heaton Stannington doubled their lead. A free-kick was whipped into the penalty area and Tait lost his marker to volley home from a matter of four yards.

However, the Colliers were to respond. With a fine individual effort, Cooke wriggled his way from the corner flag past numerous players and into the penalty area. Weaving past another defender, the winger looked up and drilled a low effort through the legs of Matthew Smith to finish a fine individual move.

Back in the game and with their noses up, Easington were hit by a real sucker-punch when Heaton Stannington regained their two goal cushion three minutes later. Adam Laidler, Tait and Shane Jones all linked up to find Johnson and he finished well at the back post.

Paul had an effort blocked and a header over the bar as the first half came to an end but the Colliers went into the break two goals down.

The Green Army started the second half well and half chances fell the way of Cooke and Paul before the 55 minute mark.

In the 58th minute, Paul managed to get on the scoresheet as he made it 3-2. The former Seaham Red Star man superbly took down a long ball and beat two men before cutting in and curling an effort into the far corner from 20 yards.

Less than 60 seconds later, Heaton Stannington’s two goal cushion was regained for a third time. Straight from kick-off, Holland danced a way through before finishing a move which was all too easy for the home side’s winger.

Twenty minutes into the second half, Vincent went close with a moving long-range effort which the ‘keeper did well to palm and Redman couldn’t find the target with his rebound.

A couple of chances fell the way of Heaton Stannington before Paul reduced the deficit once again in the 67th minute. Liam Adamson’s pinpoint ball picked out the forward and his header rolled over the line after Smith’s touch and clipping the post.

Cameron Old headed over for the Colliers in the 72nd minute before Heaton Stan made it 5-3 at the other end. Abu Salim crossed to find Johnson and his header beat Ethan Anderson.

James Appleby cleared a Salim effort off the line in the last 10 minutes before Easington mustered a fine comeback.

In the 88th minute, Paul’s cross picked out Vincent whose fine header pulled the Colliers within one.

And, in the first minute of additional time, the Colliers won a penalty. Paul took responsibility and although Smith got a hand on it, he was unable to prevent Paul’s hat-trick a the Colliers snatched a point.

Full-time: Heaton Stannington 5-5 Easington Colliery

Next up for me is possibly Sunderland Ladies vs Doncaster Rovers Belles tomorrow.

Easington Colliery: Anderson, Ball, Metcalf (Mitchell, 62′), Vincent, Hailes, Appleby, Cooke (Old, 62′), Redman, Paul (c), Adamson (Robson, 80′), Thompson

Unused sub: Bulmer

Heaton Stannington: Smith, Trodd, Laidler, Wear (c), Stoddart, Imray, Holland, Johnson, Robinson, Jones (Chapman, 68′), Tait (Salim, 58’)

Unused subs: McCarthy, Deagle, Bailey

Admission: £5 adults, £2 concessions

Programme: £1

Chips and curry sauce: £1.80

Attendance: 95

Sunderland U23s vs Annfield Plain

I was pleased when I saw that Sunderland had entered this season’s Durham Challenge Cup. It gives the tournament a bit extra and it gives them a great chance of winning a cup! When I saw this draw, it was always going to be a game I got to. It’s been quite a while since I last watched Annfield Plain. In fact, it’s over a year since I last watched Annfield Plain. I watched them at home to Horden CW on the 20th of August last year. Just five days previous to that, the reverse fixture had been played with Horden CW at ‘home’ (Hartlepool FC’s Grayfields Enclosure). Annfield Plain won both of them games but I wasn’t convinced they were going to win tonight.

Match report:

Sunderland U23s hit Annfield Plain for 11 in Durham Challenge Cup

A rampant Sunderland U23s defeated Annfield Plain 11-0 in the Durham Challenge Cup on Wednesday night.

Luke Molyneux collected a hat-trick while Jack Diamond and Jean Yves-Poame both collected a brace each. Williams Kokolo, Chris Allan, Josh Robson and Lee Connelly all also managed to get on the scoresheet.

With Sunderland entering the competition for the first time in numerous years, tonight’s young side made a real statement of intent on the rest of the tournament.

A mix of under-23 and under-18 players saw Michael Woud start in goal with Molyneux, Kokolo and Dan Wright leading the line.

Tommy and Josh Robson were both included in the starting XI as was New Zealand international Sam Brotherton.

Less than 40 seconds were on the clock when Sunderland broke the deadlock. Molyneux’s good work down the wing beat two Annfield Plain men before passing to Kokolo. The 17-year-old former AS Monaco man weaved his way into a shooting position where he beat Annfield Plain goalkeeper David Statt.

Despite conceding 11, Statt can be pleased with his night’s work as it could well have been 20 without his saves. Still within the opening five minutes, he prevented Diamond’s low drive while Kokolo’s follow up was saved by the Annfield Plain stopper too.

However, a second Sunderland goal came in only the eighth minute. Allan found room in the penalty area and Statt couldn’t prevent the 18-year-old from making it 2-0.

Five minutes later, Allan almost collected his second but his powerful 25-yard drive clipped the crossbar on its way over.

It was three as Josh Robson got in on the act in the 26th minute. The full-back was played in by Molyneux and his clever finish ensured it would be a long way back for the Wearside League outfit.

Cutting Annfield Plain open down the right wing led to Molyneux grabbing Sunderland’s fourth in the 38th minute and Kokolo fired a long-range drive narrowly over before the first half was out.

Jake Hall, introduced at half-time, had a glorious chance to pull a goal back for Annfield Plain only two minutes into the second half. After a sharp attack had caught Sunderland off guard, a ball across goal found the former Prudhoe Town man but he could only slice well wide with only Woud to beat.

Ten minutes into the second half, fine individual work from Molyneux gave him room to shoot and his finish matched his build up.

And, four minutes later, the same man collected his hat-trick. His original effort was saved, but it bounced back off Molyneux and then off an Annfield Plain defender before trickling into the net.

On the hour mark, Sunderland introduced Poame to the fray and the former Corduff man made an immediate impact. The Irishman collected his first only four minutes after coming on and Diamond added Sunderland’s eighth in the 67th minute.

Poame went on to make it a brace within eight minutes of coming on as his cool finish made it 9-0 in the 69th minute.

In the 72nd minute, Woud was forced into a fine save to preserve his clean sheet. An Annfield Plain corner was swung into the penalty area where Carl Malpass lost his marker to head towards goal but a fine save from Woud prevented the former Consett striker.

It was double figures for Sunderland as Connelly added a 10th in the 78th minute. A quick spin gave the substitute room to shoot and he picked out the far bottom corner.

Possibly the pick of the goals came with the last kick off the game. Good football from Sunderland played Diamond in and his cheeky chip dinked over Statt to roll into the net.

The referee had seen enough after the 11th went in and blew for full-time 30 seconds early.

Full-time: Sunderland U23s 11-0 Annfield Plain

Next up for me is Heaton Stannington vs Easington Colliery on Saturday.

Sunderland U23s:  Woud, Josh Robson, Tommy Robson, Allan, Storey, Brotherton, Diamond, Hackett (Hickey, 60′), Molyneux (Poame, 60′), Wright, Kokolo (Connelly, 45′)

Unused subs: Patterson, Young

Annfield Plain: Statt, Burrows (Glendinning, 65′), Cumpson (Dunn, 46′), Coulson, Sam Hodgson, Gohery, Mackay, Pearce (Hall, 46′), Allison, Malpass, Sean Hodgson

Unused subs: Jackson, Donnelly

Admission: £3 adults, £1 concessions

Programme: No

Team sheet: Didn’t see any

Attendance: 148

Referee: Graeme Hopper

 

 

 

 

Sunderland vs Nottingham Forest

It’s about eight years since I last had a season ticket at Sunderland but it’s definitely fair to say that I haven’t missed it. Non-league football is where I lie and for me, everything about it is so much better than the professional game. Saying that, tonight was the last time I could use Rory Drake’s season ticket for a Sunderland first team game and so I used it. The new earlier about Sunderland Ladies didn’t go down well with me. Firstly, the excuse about the training is rather pathetic really. The reason given was that there isn’t enough room in the indoor barn and there aren’t any floodlights on the outdoor pitches for the Ladies to train in the evening. Surely a club the size of Sunderland can afford to put a few floodlights up! And, although it may attract some new people, there are going to be lots of people who don’t go to the games now they’re being played in South Shields. I for one won’t be renewing my season ticket as South Shields is too far away for me every other week. I’ll get to a couple of games but not many. It’s a real shame as Sunderland AFC are more or less destroying their ladies team who have produced some fine international players over the past few years.

Match report:

Murphy comes back to haunt Sunderland as Nottingham Forest snatch three points

Daryl Murphy came back to haunt his former club as his 86th minute strike sealed the three points for Nottingham Forest in a 1-0 win at Sunderland on Tuesday night.

It was a largely uneventful Championship clash on a miserable Wearside night as a crowd of 26,021 watched on.

Sunderland manager Simon Grayson made four changes from Saturday’s defeat to Sheffield United with Lee Cattermole, Callum McManaman, Bryan Oviedo and Adam Matthews coming into the starting XI.

Sunderland started brightly and within the opening 80 seconds, McManaman flashed a low cross across the face of goal but failed to pick out a team-mate and Forest cleared.

With the first shot of the game, Sunderland’s Lewis Grabban tried his luck from 25 yards and his powerful drive darted only narrowly wide.

McManaman then had a shot blocked, before a couple of Sunderland set pieces were comfortably dealt with by the visitors.

A midfield battle is one way to describe the game as both sides struggled to break each other down in the constant rain.

Greek international Andreas Bouchalakis tried his luck for the visitors only for his effort to be charged down, while McManaman’s effort at the other end fell to the same fate.

As a lacklustre first half came to an end, Bouchalakis and Kieran Dowell both fired over for the visitors.

McManaman was certainly one of Sunderland’s brightest players and he could have given Sunderland the lead in the 54th minute after wriggling through but his eventual shot was scuffed and Jordan Smith comfortably saved.

Matthews’ mazy run gave the former Celtic man room to cross in the 56th minute and the Sunderland full-back picked out George Honeyman but his effort was blocked.

Half of the crowd thought Sunderland had taken the lead just before the hour mark when Oviedo cut in from the wing but his effort from a tight angle could only find the side netting.

With time constantly ticking by, the visitors will have fancied their chances of pinching something despite creating very little. Forest manager Mark Warburton made a couple of substitutions as he looked to change the direction of the game.

However, the changes seemed to almost shun the game as a quiet spell followed. Twenty minutes of very little followed before Sunderland almost broke the deadlock.

Honeyman’s original effort was blocked and the ball bounced the way of Jonny Williams 25 yards from goal but his thunderbolt darted a matter of inches over the crossbar.

And, Sunderland would be left to rue on missed chances as a defensive error gifted Murphy what proved to be the winner in the 86th minute. Tyias Browning played a very loose pass across the back four and substitute Barrie McKay picked up possession. He passed to Murphy and his first touch gave him room to shoot where he beat Robbin Ruiter to the delight of the travelling support.

Sunderland had five or six set piece chances in injury time with goalkeeper Ruiter coming up for the final two chances. A goalmouth scramble almost saw Sunderland equalise in the third minute of added time but Nottingham Forest held firm and the three points lifts the Reds to eighth in the table.

Full-time: Sunderland 0-1 Nottingham Forest

Next up for me is Sunderland U23s vs Annfield Plain tomorrow.

Sunderland: Ruiter, Oviedo, Cattermole (c) (Jones, 90+1′), Williams, Grabban (Vaughan, 37′), McManaman (Gooch, 71′), Ndong, Browning, Matthews, Honeyman, Wilson

Unused subs: Steele, Rodwell, Love, Gibson

Nottingham Forest: Smith, Darikwa, Worrall, Mills (c), Traore, Bridcutt, Bouchalakis (McKay, 63′), Brereton (Cummings, 79′), Dowell (Clough, 69′), Osborn, Murphy

Unused subs: Henderson, Lichaj, Fox, Carayol

Admission: Season ticket for me

Attendance: 26,021

Programme: £3

Referee: Simon Hooper

Ashington vs Easington Colliery

The FA Vase is a big competition for every club at this level. We at Easington always want to do well in it but we knew this would be a tough game at Ashington. I’ve only ever been to Ashington once and that was when their new stand was being built. Arriving today, I was quite surprised. It is a very impressive stand with very nice changing rooms. The ground itself now could easily host football at a higher level than the Northern League. Behind the goal where the changing rooms and all the hospitality were before is just hard standing now. But, the older stands on the far side are still there too. They probably have 400 seats all in all. This would have been up a lot quicker if it was for Pitchero. It deleted a whole match report at the end of last season and did exactly the same today. So, I’ve had to write it twice!

Match report:

Colliers exit FA Vase with defeat at Ashington

Easington Colliery exited the FA Vase with a 3-0 defeat at First Division outfit Ashington on Saturday afternoon.

Former Durham and Kent cricketer Ben Harmison collected a brace for the Northumberland side while Victor Manquillo was also on the scoresheet with a fine strike only three minutes after coming on in his debut.

David Paul led the line for the Colliers, with Jay Redman and Liam Adamson working the wings. Reece Kenney, Jake Metcalf and David Vincent played in the centre of the park, and Shane O’Brien and Chris Pearson took the centre back spots. Jordan Hailes and Chris Freeman played as full-backs with Kyle Donaldson in goal.

Ashington edged possession in the opening 10 minutes but failed to trouble the Green Army who looked comfortable.

In the 11th minute, Easington created the first real chance. A pinpoint free-kick from Vincent found Paul at the back post and his header from 6 yards was narrowly too high.

However, with their first real chance, Ashington took the lead. The hosts won a corner and played it short to catch Easington asleep. With no pressure applied, the ball was allowed to be played across goal where Harmison tucked the ball into an empty net from a matter of two yards.

Having taken the lead, Ashington began to see more of the ball and went close through Ben Sampson who fired just over in the 18th minute.

At the other end, a clever ball from Redman played Paul in but he was adjudged to be offside in a tight call.

Halfway through the first half, Ashington’s Harmison sent a clever flick onto Callum Johnston but his first-time volley dipped narrowly wide.

When the Green Army won a free-kick in a dangerous position in the 25th minute, the traveling support expected Paul to shoot. But, looking to execute a planned routine, Paul passed the ball straight into the wall as the plan came crashing down.

A quick throw from Adamson found Vincent in the 28th minute and his good work beat a defender before his shot was saved by Conor Grant.

An Easington corner came to nothing before Redman’s powerful drive was blocked after Paul lad laid it off for the 18-year-old.

Easington were looking bright in the final third of the first half and Paul almost pulled the Green Army level in the 35th minute. The former Seaham Red Star forward turned on the penalty spot and managed to get a shot away but it crept just the wrong side of the post with Grant beaten.

An Easington corner came to nothing soon after before Johnston’s volley at the other end was just say too high.

Harmison’s first-time volley proved to be the final chance of the first half and despite worrying Donaldson, it failed to find the target.

Despite going into the break a goal down, there was something to be positive about with the Green Army.

The second half took some time to get going with an Ashington corner being the only piece of play worthy of note in the first 10 minutes but Easington easily cleared.

Adamson could have found room to shoot after a clever through ball from Redman in the 56th minute but he was outmuscled.

On the hour mark, a long ball gave Paul something to chase and he knocked the ball beyond the goalkeeper who clattered him in the process but the referee didn’t deem it to be a foul.

Dale Pearson shot harmlessly wide in the 62nd minute before Ashington doubled their lead in the 66th minute.

Victor Manquillo, brother of Newcastle United’s Javier Manquillo, collected possession only three minutes after coming on and he spotted Donaldson off his line. From 30+ yards, the former RSD Alcala man lobbed Donaldson to find the far corner. What a fine way to make your introduction!

An Easington free-kick was fired over 20 minutes from time before Ashington secured the game with a third and final goal 17 minutes from time. A ball over the top found Harmison who looked a good few yards offside. However, the assistant didn’t flag and Harmison was left to tuck home his brace.

Paul had a couple of efforts that were blocked as time wore on but Easington were unable to create any real chances and Ashington claimed the win.

We’d like to wish Ashington they very best of luck in the next round at either Padiham or Thackley.

Full-time: Ashington 3-0 Easington Colliery

Easington Colliery: Donaldson, Hailes, Metcalf, Pearson (c), O’Brien, Kenney, Freeman (Bulmer, 80′), Vincent, Paul, Adamson (Bell, 56′), Redman

Unused subs: Cooke, Ball, Appleby

Ashington: Grant, Christensen, Salmon, Downey, Scott (c), Buchanan, Sampson, Pearson, Johnston (Manquillo, 63′), Harmison (Stephenson, 73′), Hornsby (McAndrew, 73′)

Unused subs: Antony, Bell

Attendance: 224

Referee: Jim Halliday

Admission: £6 adults, £2 concessions

Programme: £1

Chips: £1.70

Can of Coke: £1

Easington Colliery vs Thornaby

Nine-man Easington soundly beaten by Thornaby

Nine-man Easington Colliery crashed to a 5-2 defeat to Thornaby on a miserable night at the Welfare Park on Thursday.

Kallum Hannah collected a brace for the visitors, while Lewis Murphy, Joe Hillerby and Kurtis Howes also got on the scoresheet.

Harry Wood and Liam Adamson managed to net for the visitors but it counted for very little as the visitors claimed the three points.

In a night to forget for the Colliers, Kyle Donaldson and Reece Kenney were both sent off.

Easington manager Paul Frame decided to go with a 3-5-2 formation with Wood and Adamson leading the line.

The wet conditions and the short grass meant there was an extra zip on each bounce and both sides were looking to adapt to that early on.

Donaldson was forced into a save in the fourth minute but other than that, it was a relatively quiet start.

In the 19th minute, Thornaby took the lead. Having worked the ball into the penalty area, the ball was played across goal where Murphy was able to slot home.

Behind, Easington had to respond, but they seemed to hit the self-destruction button instead as Thornaby’s lead was doubled a minute later.

A short back pass put Donaldson under pressure and his clearance crashed off Joe Hillerby. The former Billingham Synthonia man was fortunate that the ball bounced right in front of him and he was able to slot home for Thornaby’s second.

Other than the goals, there wasn’t a great deal of chances, especially at the end where Easington were attacking.

However, a third Thornaby goal came not too long before the half hour mark. With little pressure being applied, the Thornaby winger cut in from the wing and played a ball across to Howes who was able to beat Donaldson at his near post.

The Colliers haven’t seen a worse 10-minute spell all season and from this point onwards, it was always going to be an uphill task.

The home fans did have something to cheer about before the half was up though. The Green Army won a free-kick right on the edge of the penalty area and Kenney took responsibility. He drove a low effort through the wall and Guy Craggs fumbled. Wood was quickest to react and fired home from close-range.

The goal did give Easington a boost and they did look slightly better in the closing stages of the first half but they had left themselves with an awful lot of work to do.

Jake Metcalf and Michael Bulmer both whipped teasing balls into the penalty area but Craggs was able to take and the Colliers went into the break two goals down.

Upon kick-off in the second half, both Jay Redman and Jordan Hailes tried their luck from long-range to no avail.

Things went from bad to worse for the Colliers in the 58th minute as Donaldson was sent off. A defensive mistake played Thornaby in and Donaldson came rushing off his line but caught the striker as he attempted to round the Easington stopper. The referee awarded a penalty and despite the new triple jeopardy rule, the referee sent Donaldson off the amazement of most of the crowd.

With no substitute goalkeeper, Bulmer took his spot in goal but he couldn’t prevent Hannah’s penalty from making it 1-4.

And, two minutes later, it was five. Hannah was at it again as he took the ball round Bulmer before slotting home a quick-fire brace.

Five-one down, there was little hope for the Colliers and any slight hope was certainly taken from Easington when Kenney was sent off for a second bookable offense 20 minutes from time.

Four goals and two men down in the persistent rain, the Colliers’ night wasn’t going to plan.

Quarter of an hour from time, Adamson reduced the deficit. A deep free-kick was flicked on by the youngster and it found a way into the corner to the disgust of Thornaby’s manager.

However, it had no effect on the result and the Colliers will need a big dusting down before Saturday’s FA Vase clash at Ashington.

Full-time: Easington Colliery 2-5 Thornaby

Easington Colliery: Donaldson, Hailes (Mitchell, 70′), Appleby, Pearson (Ball, 70′) (c), Vincent (O’Brien, 70′), Kenney, Bulmer, Redman, Adamson, Wood, Metcalf

Unused subs: Freeman, Paul

Referee: Darren Wylam

Attendance: 112