Last updated 11:56, Monday, 24 November 2008

Northern Alliance Premier Division: Gillford Park 2: Shankhouse 1: Gillford Park were very fortunate to hang onto their unbeaten tag after a lacklustre display against Northumberland based side, Shankhouse, and it was the visitors who snatched the opening goal within 10-seconds of the kick-off.

From the opening whistle and two back-pass balls that put home keeper Gavin Armstrong under pressure straight from the kick-off and the attempted fumbled clearance allow leading scorer Kevin Gustard to give the visitors an early lead.

Shankhouse dominated the majority of play for the remainder of the first half and it was no surprise that they scored a second in the 44th minute, and again it was a goal that was gifted by some poor defending when a misplaced header was snapped up by Gustard for his second of the game.

Gillford Park did come out for the second period in a more positive mood and eventually reduced the deficit on the hour mark when a cross from the right fell into the path of Matthew Wood who scored from close range.

The visitors seemed to be content to sit on their single goal lead in an attempt to seal their first away win for some time but they were punished with only two minutes remaining when some excellent build-up play through the home midfield ended with the ball landing at the feet of Chris Grainger who coasted past a defender before netting and claiming a share of the spoils after a disappointing performance from the home side.

Gillford Park: G. Armstrong, Thompson, D. Armstrong, M. Armstrong, Butler, Lang, M. Wood, Johnstone, I. Grainger, K. Armstrong & C. Grainger. Subs: Addison, J. Wood, Williams & Short.

LONGHORN HARDWARE LEAGUE CUP: Harraby CC 3 Ashington Colliers 1

Harraby Catholic Club claimed an early lead in this delayed Longhorn Hardware League Cup tie when an Aaron Rogers corner kick was headed towards goal by Lee Otway and although the visiting Ashington Colliers defence cleared the danger the ball fell to defender Jordan Coulthard who volleyed it back into the roof of the net from the edge of the area.

Guest keeper Aaron Taylor was nearly caught out in the 25th minute when the visitors Ritchie Brown spotted the home keeper off his line and the 45-yard chip just cleared the frame of goal to save the home sides blushes.

The game was held up for some considerable time just before the half hour mark when the visitors’ Daniel Taylor sustained a head injury.

And when the Paramedics arrived, the injury was serious enough for the injured player to be transported to the Cumberland Infirmary with his neck and spin immobilised.

The second half started with a flurry as an opening in the first minute was missed by Mike Swift and from the clearance Ashington snatched an equaliser.

Ross Dixon provided the chance for Anthony Wright to slot home the effort from close range and tie the scores.

The lead was restored in Harraby’s favour within two minutes when James earl released Rob Bainbridge and he crossed for Otway to volley home at the back post beyond the desperate attempt from visiting keeper Sean McCafferty.

A third goal was scored in the 52nd minute after Marc Shiel made some good progress down the left before crossing into the area, and when the visiting defence failed to clear the ball, Bainbridge headed into the path of Earl who scored from close range.

There were further chances at both ends as McCafferty pushed a 25-yard effort from Earl around the post, Dixon headed over for the visitors when well placed and substitute Roy Holliday and Otway went close without adding to the final score.

The win earned Harraby a home local derby in the next round against neighbours Northbank Carlisle.

Harraby Catholic Club: Taylor, Combe, B. Swift, Wallace, Coulthard, M. Swift, Rogers, Earl, Otway, Bainbridge & Shiel. Subs: Routledge, Holliday & Lamonby.