Only three NNL sides progress in Minor Cup

Only three of the League’s representatives progressed through to the next round with Shilbottle, Highfields United and Amble St Cuthberts making the step.

Shilbottle just came out on top in an evenly matched encounter at the Welfare Ground that required extra time to determine the winner.

An uneventful first half produced little by way of good chances and it was no surprise that the interval arrived without a goal.

It was the North Shields side that broke the deadlock after 50 minutes when Connor Higgins headed in at the back post. This set back stung the Colliers into life and they were unlucky not to draw level when a header from Kenny Collins struck the crossbar and the visiting keeper made good saves from Will Farmer and Alex Makin.

A good save from Shilbottle’s stand-in keeper Tony Athey kept his side in the game before a cracking drive from Kenny Collins into the corner of the net after 75 minutes drew the Colliers level.

With no further goals before the end of regulation time the match went into extra time and was finally settled in the second period when Judd Donohoe headed home from close range to put the Colliers through to the next round.

The game was sponsored by Lee Temple (Alnwick).

In a all league tie Highfields had Ryan Wedderburn and Kurt Yule on target as they beat Craster Rovers.

Reece and Liam Ramsay both netted hat-tricks for Amble, along with single strikes from Joe Henderson and Ethan Iredale as they beat Ashington Town Miners.

Martin Tait also netted a hat-trick for Tweedmouth Harrow, but was on the losing side as Jimmy Gilbert netted four times for Willow Farm.

Wooler lost out at Newbiggin Hall while Belford had Max Clark and Dan Tully scoring against New York but the home team went through after extra time.

Ryan Thompson and Johnny Moffet were North Sunderland’s scorers as they lost out at Wallsend Labour while Embleton WR went down to a heavy defeat against Hazelrigg Victory .

Springhill and Ashington West End both suffered heavy defeats at Seghill and Killingworth YPC respectively while Lowick United had Aaron Hope, Andrew Metcalf and Jack Young scoring against Cramlington United, but the visitors also netted three times and made progress following extra-time and a penalty shoot out.

Full results were:

Rothbury 0, Heaton Stannington B 5; Newbiggin Hall 4, Wooler 0; New York 3, Belford 2 (after extra time); Shilbottle 2, North Shields CC 1;

North Sunderland 2, Wallsend Labour Club 6; Hazelrigg Victory 9, Embleton WR 1; Highfields United 2, Craster Rovers 1; Tweedmouth Harrow 3, Willington Farm, Cramlington 4;

Seghill 9, Springhill 1; Ashington West End 1, Killingworth YPC 12; Amble St Cuthbert 8, Ashington Town Miners 0; Lowick United 3, Cramlington United 3 (AET Cramlington won 4-3 on penalties).

* Fixtures for Saturday, October 8 are:

Division 1 - Tweedmouth Harrow v Amble St Cuthbert; Lowick United v Belford; Rothbury v Shilbottle.

Division 2 - Craster Rovers v Wooler; Embleton WR v Highfields United; Springhill v Ashington West End.