Weekend North East non-league round-up (October 1): Gateshead equalise, Blyth Spartans progress, South Shields at ease + more
SportsByte takes a look at a thrilling weekend of non-league scores across the North East, including Gateshead’s equaliser at Eastleigh as well as results from South Shields, Blyth Spartans and more.
National League: Gateshead
Gateshead moved to 16th in the National League standings with a 1-1 draw against Eastleigh in front of a crowd of 1,162 at the Gateshead International Stadium, thanks to a strike by debutant Dan Jaivis,
It was an impressive strike from outside the box and it gave Heed fans something to cheer about: it could be argued they lacked a cutting edge before that, in particular during the disruptive first half.
Mike Williamson believed it was “a hard earned point” in spite of a “naivety that was quite clear” to the Heed.
Eastleigh sit 12th in the standings after 11 matches played.
Northern Premier League: Morpeth Town
Morpeth saw off their visit to Stalybridge Celtic in style coming away 3-0 winners thanks to goals by Connor Thomson, Sam Fishburn and Callum Morris.
The result puts them into the play-off spots on 18th points, with goal difference separating themselves, Warrington Rylands and Radcliffe.
Morpeth do have a game advantage on the other sides, and although it is early in the season, manager Craig Lynch must be optimistic moving forwards.
Northern Premier League – East: Hebburn Town, North Shields, Dunston
Early promotion hopefuls Hebburn Town played out a 2-2 draw against Grantham Town on Saturday, as Liam Henderson’s brace was cancelled out in the dying moments of the match.
A crowd of 210 at the Green Energy Sports Ground witnessed a performance manager Daniel “Bobby” Moore deemed “disappointing”, adding that he felt “they deserved to win, to be brutally honest.”
Looking elsewhere in the division, North Shields fired blanks versus Brighouse Town as they came to a 0-0 result at the Daren Persson Stadium.
Meanwhile Dunston saw off Long Eaton United 3-2 away from home to take them eighth in the table, which will no doubt be a welcoming result for the consolidated outfit.
FA Cup third qualifying round: South Shields, Ashington AFC
South Shields cruised to a 5-2 victory at home to Marske United in the FA Cup third qualifying round.
Dylan Mottley-Henry’s hat-trick stole the show, while they led from the very first minute because of a Mackenzie Heaney goal. An Adam Wheatley own goal sealed the result for the Mariners.
Ashington AFC, meanwhile, came back all square having played to a 2-2 draw away to Stocksbridge Park Steels in front of a crowd of 429.
Elsewhere in the North East this weekend…
The Northern Leagues 1 and 2 saw plenty of action, including the following scores:
Heaton Stannington 0-2 Bishop Auckland
Seaham Red Star 1-2 Pickering Town
Sunderland RCA 0-3 Thornaby
Tow Law Town 2-3 West Allotment Celtic
Boldon CA 5-2 Billingham Synthonia
Esh Winning 1-2 Ryton & Crawcrook Albion
Newcastle University 2-1 Jarrow
Sunderland West End 0-4 Brandon United
Newcastle Benfield 3-3 Whitley Bay (Friday)
Chester-le-Street Town 5-1 Birtley Town (Friday)
