Four games without a loss for Alnwick Town

Action from Stobswood v Burradon in the League Cup. Picture by Steve Miller.

After winning their first Premier Division game and a win in the League Cup the previous week, and a 0-0 home League draw against New Fordley in midweek, the St James’ Park side travelled to Gateshead Rutherford on Saturday where they won 1-0 in the Challenge Cup.

The winning goal was scored by Brendan Balmbra in the 71st minute when his header from a Jake Lowes free kick found the net off the underside of the crossbar.

Misplaced passes let Gateshead in for a couple of early chances, although the hosts’ best chance fell to Joe Turnbull, whose header struck a post following a cross on the left from McEvoy.

Gateshead also hit the woodwork early in the second half through Lee Watson.

But Alnwick weathered the storm and the only goal came after Thomas Forster was fouled and Balmbra got on the end of Lowes’ set piece.

On Saturday (September 28) Alnwick will hope to continue their upturn in form when they travel to take on Winlaton Vulcans in the Premier Division.

Also in the Challenge Cup, Wallington won 4-2 away to Shankhouse.

In the Comination Cup Red Row went down 2-1 away to Cramlington United and in the Amateur Cup Stobswood Welfare beat Burradon 2-0.

In the Development League Cowey Cup Wooler, North Sunderland and Lowick were all in action in the first round.

Wooler won 3-2 at home to Red House Farm after coming from 0-2 down at half-time. Goals from Tom Allan and Connor Conan’s got the Glendale side back on level terms in the second half before Allan popped up to net the winner seven minutes from time following a corner.

On Saturday Wooler are home to Newcastle Chemfica Amateurs in the League.

North Sunderland lost 3-1 at home to Newcastle East End Reserves. On Saturday the Seahouses side find themselves without a game, their next fixture being home to West Jesmond in the NFA Minor Cup on October 5.

Lowick lost 1-0 at home to Newcastle Chemfica Amateurs, and after a run of five successive defeats they will be hoping to get back to winning ways this weekend when they take on Red House.