Around the Alliance 30

I’ve finally completed the Northern Alliance grounds for this season, following a visit to Bedlington United yesterday. This post also includes a match at Bede Academy before Christmas,which Blyth Rangers regularly use, plus a bonus ground, as Stobswood Welfare used Hirst Welfare 3G, to get their fixture fulfilled last week.

Pictures and match facts:

Saturday 21st December 2024

947. Bede Academy (North)

Blyth Rangers 1 Blyth Town Reserves 7

Northern Alliance 2nd Division matchday 15v16

(14th v 8th)

2pm ko

Att.29hc

After taking an early lead, the hosts couldn’t hold out for their first win, with the away side dominating the second half.

 2’ 1-0 Jordan Hancock

15’ 1-1 Nathan Beesley

22’ 1-2 Reece Gilley 

50’ 1-3 Adam Gilley

57’ 1-4 Ross Gilchrist

77’ 1-5 Ross Gilchrist

88’ 1-6 Adam Gilley

90’ 1-7 Ross Gilchrist

Saturday 22nd February 2025

952.Hirst Welfare 3G

Stobswood Welfare 0 Percy Main Amateurs 1

Northern Alliance Premier Division matchday 20v22

(16th v 15th)

2pm ko

Att.30hc

A first half goal from Dalia was enough to give the away side the three points

having survived late pressure from Stobby. 

39’ 0-1 Marcio Dalia

Saturday 2nd March 2025

953.Blyth Sporting Club

Bedlington United 1 North Shields Athletic Reserves 9

Northern Alliance 3rd Division matchday 21v19

(9th v 4th)

2pm ko

Att.30hc

Two early goals set Shields on their way, then it was just a case of how many they would score. 

 6’ 0-1 Clinton Nzubechukwu

 7’ 0-2 Joel Green

14’ 0-3 Joel Green

44’ 0-4 Tom Close

56’ 0-5 James Spencer

70’ 1-5 Jack Dodd

72’ 1-6 Joel Green

74’ 1-7 Addy Grass

81’ 1-8 Joel Green

86’ 1-9 Addy Grass

✓951 Huntcliff School

Saltburn Athletic 1-4 New Marske

North Riding Football League Division 2

Saturday 15th February 2025

Saltburn-by-the-Sea is a seaside town in the civil parish of Saltburn, Marske and New Marske, in the Redcar and Cleveland district, in the historic boundaries of the North Riding of Yorkshire.

The original settlement, located in the Saltburn Gill was a centre for smugglers, and publican John Andrew is referred to as 'king of smugglers. In 1856, the hamlet consisted of the Ship Inn and a row of houses, occupied by farmers and fishermen.

The town had been founded by Quakers, which meant a ban on public houses. Alcohol was served in the hotels and the bars attached to them, and in the town’s many private members' clubs. Saltburn's first public house, which wasn’t within a hotel, was The Victoria, which opened in December 1982.

Saltburn Athletic formed in 1998 and cover all age groups from 7 - 17 years of age. The club now has a senior side playing in the North Riding Football League from the start of this season, and are based at Hobs Hill Field and the neighbouring Huntcliff School.

Huntcliff School

Marske Mill Lane

Saltburn-by-the-Sea

TS12 1HJ

Saltburn Athletic 1-4 New Marske

North Riding FL Division 2 matchday 16/10

2pm ko

Att.18hc

23’ 0-1 Issac Meehan

59’ 0-2 Leon Rhys

67’ 0-3 Leon Ryhs

79’ 1-3 Josh Allen

90+2 1-4 Richie Playforth

Two goals from substitute Leon Rhys set New Marske on their way to three points, while their hosts still remained pointless after 16 games.

#Heedhopper

52 miles door-to-door

Northern Rail trains: Heworth - Thornaby - Saltburn.

My only previous visit to Saltburn was for Honest Paul’s birthday five years ago. I enjoyed that visit so I’ve finally made a return, this time with “the breadknife” for a leisurely pub crawl. Pints were consumed in The Ship Inn, Saltburn Cricket, Bowls and Tennis Club, Brockley Hall, Guns Bar and the Pillar Box. Then onwards to Marske when we visited the Smugglers Den, Clarendon and finally the Lockdown Micropub, before heading back home on the Northern rattler.

✓950 Consett Leisure Centre

Consett Blackfyne 0-0 Crook Town Youth

Wearside League Division 2

Saturday 8th February 2025

I visited Consett Blackfyne earlier this season at their regular home at Consett Cricket Club, however they still occasionally play home matches at the Leisure Centre.

Consett Leisure Centre has two full sized football pitches and a large 4G pitch, which is used by Blackfyne. The centre is next door to Consett Rugby Club’s ground and beside the former site of the old Belle Vue Park ground.

Consett Leisure Centre, 

Medomsley Road, 

Consett, 

County Durham, 

DH8 5HU

Consett Blackfyne 0 Crook Town Youth 0

Wearside League Division 2 matchday 19v21

8th v 7th

1415 ko

Att.29hc

I can’t remember the last time I saw a team waste so many chances. Blackfyne had numerous attempts, including hitting the frame of the goal four times, but most of their efforts failed to trouble the goalkeeper. At the other end, Crook had their fair share of opportunities, but it turned out to be one of those matches that was destined to be goalless.

✓948.Christchurch Meadow

Belper Town 2-5 Dunston

Northern Premier League East Division

Saturday 25th January 2025

Belper is a town and civil parish in the local government district of Amber Valley in Derbyshire, located 7 miles north of Derby on the River Derwent. (population:over 21,000) Originally a centre for the nail-making industry since the Middle Ages, it expanded during the early Industrial Revolution to become one of the first mill towns, with several textile mills. Belper now forms part of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site.

Belper Town originally formed in 1883 and were founder members of the Derbyshire Senior League in 1890, finishing runners-up in 1895–96. By the following decade the club were playing in the Mid-Derbyshire League, becoming league champions in 1904–05. The league merged with the Notts & District League in 1908, to form the Notts & Derbyshire League, with Belper as founder members. Due to financial troubles, they resigned from the league during the 1911–12 season and eventually folded.

Belper reformed in 1951 and joined Division One of the Central Alliance, taking over the fixtures of Mansfield Town 'A', who had withdrawn from the league.

Central Alliance 1951-1961 Division One North Champions 1958-59

Midland League 1961-1982 Premier Division Champions 1979-80

Northern Counties East League 1982-1997 Premier Division Champions 1984-85

Northern Premier League 1997 - present

The Nailers have twice won promotion to the Premier Division via the play-offs in 2013-14 and 2021-22, but were relegated back to Division One East in 2022-23.

The Raygar Stadium, 

Christchurch Meadows, 

Bridge St, 

Belper 

DE56 1BA

Record attendance - 3,200 v Ilkeston Town in 1955

Current capacity 2,260

Current NPL East Division grounds visited 22/22

The club played at the Acorn Ground, before moving to Christchurch Meadow in 1951. The ground originally had a single stand on the northern side of the pitch, which was demolished in the 1960s and reused to build a new stand on the opposite side. The ground now has a 500 capacity covered stand, with the changing rooms and clubhouse behind it. There are covered enclosures on the opposite side and behind both goals. Overall a great ground, enhanced by the backdrop of the East Mill building and the Christ Church.

Belper Town v Dunston

Pitching In Northern Premier League East Division matchday 27/24

(1st v 4th)

3pm ko

Att.544

Admission £11

Pin badge £4

Coffee £1.50

Programmes available

Belper made a strong start to the game, taking an early lead before missing several decent chances. The match turned on its head once Dunston equalised and finished the half strongly to go in 3-1 ahead at half time. Sado Djalo completed his hat-trick after the break, plus O’Donnell grabbed his second and Dunston’s fifth to complete a fabulous away day and close the gap at the top of the table. 

12’ 1-0 Luke Rawdon

33’ 1-1 Sado Djalo

41’ 1-2 JJ O’Donnell

45+2’ 1-3 Sado Djalo

55’ 1-4 Sado Djalo

72’ 2-4 Luke Rawson

85’ 2-5 JJ O’Donnell 

#Heedhopper

156 miles stadium-to stadium

Departed UTS Stadium at 0930 on club coach.

Arrived at 1.30pm.

On arrival I hotfooted along to the town centre to visit the three GBG pubs - The Railway Inn, Arkwright’s Real Ale Bar and the Angel Micropub. After the match we had celebratory drinks(and a massive scotch egg) in the George & Dragon, before setting off for home at quarter-to-six. A cracking day out and it was great to spend the day with my former work colleague and fellow Toon Army traveller Shaz Wilson. I’m hoping Dunston can achieve promotion this season, so I can look forward to more club trips to uncharted grounds in the NPL Premier Division.