First wins for Wooler, Lowick and ’Sunderland

The Northern Alliance finnally kicked off in earnest last week after a stuttering start the week before due to the weather.

In the new Development League, Lowick, North Sunderland and Wooler have all registered their first wins.On Wednesday, Lowick lost a highly entertaining game 5-4 away to Morpeth Town Reserves, the game only being decided in the last minute when Lowick conceded a penalty.But on Saturday they bounced back and beat Whitley Bay Sporting Club 4-1 with two goals from Jordan Briggs, and one each from Steven Fairbairn and A Deans.On Saturday they are home to Newcastle Chemfica Amateurs, and next Wednesday it is another local derby away to Wooler.North Sunderland won their opening fixture 1-0 at home against Wooler last Wednesday with Adam Weightman scoring the only goal of the game. They followed this up with another 1-0 home win over Wideopen A on Saturday, Weightman again scoring the only goal of the game to make it two wins out of two.After Wednesday’s game at Lowick, the Seahouses side face Ashington Reserves at home on Saturday and Morpeth FC away next Wednesday.Wooler, following on from their defeat to North Sunderland, bounced back with a hard-earned 5-4 home win over Newcastle East End Reserves on Saturday.Wooler came from 0-1 down to lead 3-2 at half-time. In the second half it was 4-4 with ten minutes to go, but the Glendale side took the win with a late penalty from Tom Allen after a hand ball on the goal line. Allen scored twice for Wooler with their other goals coming from Crombie, Strangeways and Spencer.On Saturday Wooler are home to Swalwell and next Wednesday it is home to Lowick.

Alnwick Town started their season in the Premier Division with a 5-1away defeat at Percy Main last Wednesday. Phil Airey gave Alnwick a first half lead, but by the break they were 4-1 down. Town made four substitutions at half-time in an attempt to stem the flow, and in the second half they fared better, although the home side scored a fifth to give them a comprehensive win.

On Saturday they are home to Shankhouse and next Wednesday they are home to Blyth Town.