Dominant displays and a low-profile derby: five non-league matches from this weekend

Drawing attention away from the big three, we pick our top five lower-league matches in the North East, featuring an 11 goal thriller and an epic underdog tale.

Underdogs

Ryton and Crawcrook Albion handed Easington an emphatic 6-1 defeat via a brace from Aaron Costello along with goals from Rhys Mcleod, Scott Oldfield, Oliver Symons and Kristian Sands.

RACA will hope to use this as a springboard to ensure a strong finish to the campaign and leapfrog Thornaby and Yarm & Eaglescliffe who sit above them.

Shildon make a statement

County Durham’s Railwaymen brushed past Carlisle City 6-1  on Saturday with two goals from the long-serving Billy Greulich-Smith and the rest from: Leighton Harris, Joe Posthill, Alexander White and Bradley Hird. 

The win puts Shildon second and 8 points behind high-flying Bishop Auckland in the Northern League Division One standings and provides a strong reminder for The Bishops that they shouldn’t get too complacent.

Five on the road

National League North newbies South Shields travelled 263 miles to Gloucester on the weekend and put up an epic performance, beating the home side 5-0 via a Paul Blackett brace and goals from: Dylan Stephenson, Will Jenkins and Michael Woods.

The win puts The Mariners back into the playoff spots and firmly rooted in the top pack with only 4 points behind 3rd place Chester. Despite the greuling travel, the longest we will cover, this game sure provides the travelling South Shields faithfull with some excellent value for their money.

The ‘Auckland’ Derby

First place Bishop Auckland welcomed third place West Auckland Town. 700 fans packed into Heritage Park to watch the Bishops’ claim the bragging rights 2-1 via goals from Dean Thexton and Louis Johnson. 

The result cemented themselves in the top spot with less than a quarter of fixtures left to go in Division One.

11 Goals to the good!

Another top table team Division two’s Blyth Town decimated a struggling Washington team 11-0 via four goals from Max Cowburn, a brace from Adam Johnson, Daniel Wilson, Lucas Cooper, Brandon Slater, Harry Sawyer and Ben Fell. 

The league leaders are enjoying a very strong campaign, and in light of their 11 goal win any team would do well to leap from them and claim the league for themselves, only Newcastle Blue Star are within 12 points of them.