Around The Alliance 29

Prior to the start of the 2024-25 Northern Alliance season, Amble, Cullercoats, Newcastle Blue Star U-23s, Whitley Bay Sporting Club 'A' and Walkergate all resigned from the league. 

Newcomers this season are AFC Newbiggin Reserves, Bedlington United, Killingworth Reserves and Ovingham, who all move from the NE Combination League, plus a new club - Wrekenton Blue Star. Wreka are a local team to me, who play down the Longbank at Black Lane, a ground I visited when Birtley St Joseph played one season there in the Alliance. 

I checked them out pre-season and they look good for a decent season in the 3rd Division. 

As far as new grounds to visit are concerned, there's just the three to do, which are…



930. St Peter's Sports Hub

Benton 3-4 Ellington

Saturday 24th August 2024

The Northumberland FA have relocated their headquarters from Whitley Park to St Peter's Playing Fields, just off the Coast Road at the top end of Wallsend. The 4G pitch has two 50 seater covered stands and team benches on the Coast Road side. The rest of the site is a work in progress, as the main building and car park are still not finished. 

Northern Alliance sides Willington Quay Saints and Benton are both using St Peter's as their home ground from this season. 


Benton 3-4 Ellington

Northern Alliance Division 2 matchday 6/5

(10th v 11th)

2pm ko 

Att.22hc

A cracking second half saw Benton come from behind to take a 3-2 lead with a second strike from Cal Wilson on 84 minutes. With time running out the visitors pinched the points, with two great finishes from Tom Ward in the dying minutes. 


0-1 33' Ethan Foster

1-1 55" Cal Wilson 

1-2 64" Richard Burn 

2-2 75' Dom Burnie 

3-2 84' Cal Wilson 

3-3 89" Tom Ward

3-4 90' Tom Ward 



931.Ovingham Playing Fields

Ovingham 5-1 Killingworth U-23

Wednesday 28th August 2024

Ovingham is a village and civil parish in the Tyne Valley of south Northumberland. It lies on the north bank of the Tyne, just over the river from Prudhoe.The club have been around since 1902, playing at the village playing fields, which is now tucked inside a housing estate off Ovingham Road. 


Ovingham 5-1 Killingworth U-23

Northern Alliance Division 3 matchday 7/6

(10th v 9th)

6.15pm ko 

Att.37hc 


A brace from Archie Leonard set up a good win for the Swans, although the score should have been much closer as the visitors missed several easy chances. 


1-0   3' Archie Leonard 

2-0 26' Keiran Harrison

3-0 55' Archie Leonard 

4-0 64' Ben Robinson

5-0 81' Billy Murphy 

5-1 87' Harvey Hutchinson


The other Alliance ground to do is Bedlington United. This will be added to this post in due course.

 

✔929 South Moor Sports Club

South Moor 0-3 Durham FC Corinthians
Wearside League Premier Division
Wednesday 14th August 2024

Another Wearside League club to relocate this season are Stanley based South Moor AFC. The club has made the short move just up the road from Greenland to the Sports Club, where they played their opening fixture last week, beating Bishop Auckland Reserves 3-2. 


South Moor Sports Club

Greenhills, 

Stanley 

DH9 7HP


South Moor 0-3 Durham FC Corinthians 

Wearside League Premier Division matchday 5v4

6.45pm ko 

Admission £3

Att.107hc 


A first half brace from Max Stoker set Corinthians on their way to a comfortable win. 

O-1 24’ Max Stoker

0-2 39’ Max Stoker 

0-3 76’ Yaya Jammeh 


#Heedhopper 

10 mile drive door-to-door 

Current Wearside League grounds visited 32/37 

My visit to Greenland CP (August 2020)

✔928. Eppleton Academy

Hetton Juniors Seniors 0-4 Easington Lane Reserves
Wearside League Division 2
Wednesday 7th August 2024

Hetton Juniors senior side have relocated to Eppleton Academy, where they started their Wearside League Division 2 campaign with an opening day win over Crook Town Youth, last Saturday. 

The ground is found at the back of the school, next door to Eppleton Cricket Club in Hetton-le-Hole.


Eppleton Academy 

Church Rd, 

Hetton-le-Hole, 

DH5 9AJ

Hetton Juniors 0-4 Easington Lane Reserves 

Wearside League Division 2 matchday 2 (7pm ko)

Att.60hc 


After a close opening period, the Lane took control with two goals in quick succession in the second half and ended the match strongly. 


0-1 32’ #8

O-2 69’ #16 

0-3 70’ #16

0-4 89” Jordan Southern 

(awaiting confirmation of goalscorers)


#Heedhopper 

Again, met up with Lee & Katie at the match.

Current Wearside League grounds visited 31/37

✔927. Glebe Park

        Washington Athletic 2-3 Wynyard Village

Wearside League Division 1

Saturday 3rd August 2024



Wearside League Division 1 club Hilda Park have relocated to Washington. The club are playing home matches at Glebe Park just outside the old Washington Village.


Glebe Park

Emmerson Terrace,

Washington




NE38 7LN


The ground address is listed as being on Emmerson Terrace, but there's no entrance to the pitch for there. Its around the corner on The Avenue, through the neighbouring park pitch. 


After a goalless first half, Washington took a two goal lead and looked set for an opening day win. However, the visitors hit back with three goals in the last 17 minutes, the winner coming with just seconds remaining.


Washington Athletic 2-3 Wynyard Village

                                              #11 Michael 55’ 1-0

                                        James McAlpine 66’ 2-0

                                           2-1 Callum Poole 73’

                                        2-2 Thomas Lavender 82’

                                2-3 Daniel Wray 90’

Att.48hc


#Heedhopper 

Met up with Lee & Katie for the first time this season. 

Current Wearside League grounds visited 30/37