HEDDON 3,  PONTELAND 4

TWO goals at the death earned Ponteland United their first Clayton Charity Cup.

With extra time looming, they pushed on to edge a close encounter with Hexham and District Sunday League newcomers Heddon St Andrews 4-3.

A battling Heddon side had the scores level at 2-2 with just over a minute of normal remaining, but their valiant efforts went unrewarded when they were shattered by the late strikes.

United’s lone striker Connor Graham had cut a frustrated figure for most of the game as he was starved of possession, but he remained alert to stoop low to head home Jack L’Argent’s wicked delivery into the area.

The result was put beyond doubt in injury time, United counter-attacking from a Heddon corner which goalkeeper David Wadds went up for, Zac Bewley seeing his shot blocked by a covering defender only for substitute Andrew Davidson to tap home from close range.

Heddon did pull back a consolation with the last kick of the game, talented talisman Dan Walker making it five goals in three games in the competition by curling a sublime free kick from 25 yards into the far corner.

While favourites Ponteland enjoyed the most possession throughout, Heddon fired a warning shot to their Sunday League rivals by showing they can play some excellent football as well as throwing themselves in to tackles.

Their high pressing caused all sorts of problems early on for Ponteland on a carpet like Haydon Bridge pitch, the opening exchanges littered with Heddon corner kicks.

United keeper Darren Bowey-Tyler was then rushed into an attempted pass to Ryan Potts, hard working Heddon midfielder Mark Murtagh intercepting but unable to capitalise on the error.

Ponteland first threatened on six minutes, a well struck free kick from Stephen Freeney met with a similarly impressive save from Wadds.

At the other end, opposite number Bowey-Tyler was penalised for picking up a back pass from Rory Spencer even if it looked like the ball reached him courtesy of a slide tackle. Walker’s shot from the indirect free kick was tame and easily blocked by the line of men in the wall.

Ponteland got on top of things midway through the half and, moments after a strong penalty appeal for a foul on Zac Bewley was waved away by Malcolm Hogarth, Potts stung the palms of Wadds with a fierce drive from 25 yards.

Potts was causing problems down the right and his dangerous cross was missed by Graham who lost his footing, but was met by Billy Holden at the back post but the effort was blazed well over the top.

It was somewhat against the run of play that Heddon gained the lead on the half hour, defender Connor Ballantyne attacking Walker’s corner to head home at the back post.

Yet they turned around trailing at the break, two goals in three minutes putting the wind in Ponteland’s sails.

Levelling things, Graham’s corner was half cleared to the edge of the area where Freeney ran onto it and drilled a left footed effort through a sea of bodies.

They went ahead with the last action of the half, Graham’s harmless ball not dealt with by Phil Edmondson which allowed Toy Spratt to steal in and slide the ball past Wadds.

The teams snuffed each other out at the beginning of the second period, the first opening createc after 10 minutes when Graham fed Bewley through the middle.

The energetic midfielder nearly capped off an impressive first full game back after being injured in the Combination Cup final in early April with a goal but his curled strike just cleared the crossbar.

Lanky defender Spencer was next to come knocking, his outstretched toe diverting the ball goalwards only to be kept out by a point blank save from Wadds.

Heddon had the ball in the back of the net just before the hour when Sean Hownam coolly finished off a swift counter, but his celebrations were cut short by the linesman’s offside flag.

But they did find the equaliser five minutes later, captain Dan Ramshaw pouncing to put the heat back on United.

Giant defender Michael Connolly powered a header on target but Potts was well placed on the post to block. Ramshaw, however, was on hand to prod the rebound home to make for a tense final 10 minutes.

Moments after Graham was denied with his first real chance of note, he adjusted his body to settle nerves.

There was no let up in injury time with two further goals.

But it was Ponteland United who were celebrating getting their hands on the coveted Clayton Charity Cup.

It was over to cup president Dent Oliver, who has enjoyed a 65-year plus love affair with the competition, to present the trophy to United and the Dow Storey man of the match prize to Murtagh.

The energetic midfielder nearly capped off an impressive first full game back after being injured in the Combination Cup final in early April with a goal but his curled strike just cleared the crossbar.

Lanky defender Spencer was next to come knocking, his outstretched toe diverting the ball goalwards only to be kept out by a point blank save from Wadds.

Heddon had the ball in the back of the net just before the hour when Sean Hownam coolly finished off a swift counter, but his celebrations were cut short by the linesman's offside flag.

But they did find the equaliser five minutes later, captain Dan Ramshaw pouncing to put the heat back on United.

Giant defender Michael Connolly powered a header on target but Potts was well placed on the post to block. Ramshaw, however, was on hand to prod the rebound home to make for a tense final 10 minutes.

Moments after Graham was denied with his first real chance of note, he adjusted his body to settle nerves.

There was no let up in injury time with two further goals, but it was Ponteland United who were celebrating getting their hands on the coveted Clayton Charity Cup.

It was over to cup president Dent Oliver, who has enjoyed a 65 year plus love affair with the competition, to present the trophy to United and the Dow Storey man of the match prize to Murtagh.