Last updated at 09:20, Friday, 09 January 2009

PONTELAND United began the New Year in style with a 6-0 demolition of Peterlee to lift themselves out of the Northern Alliance Premier Division bottom three.

Peterlee Town 0, Ponteland United 6.

With Andy Rendall unavailable, and James Hall absent with a dislocated shoulder, Craig Daglish came into the centre of defence, with young Scott Fenwick replacing Hall.

The match was evenly contested in the first 15 minutes with Davidson for Pont having a shot blocked after a good cross from Fenwick, whilst Peterlee had a header from a free kick comfortably saved by Havelock.

Gary Tough was nearly put through on goal, but Havelock was alert to the through ball and cleared the danger.

A free kick by Dummett on the left fell to McIvor but his right foot shot just slipped by the far upright.

On 20 minutes Davidson took a short corner to Gate and when the ball was played back to him, he crossed into the box where Fenwick managed to touch it over the line to put Ponteland in front.

Davidson was in the thick of the action and had a powerful shot well saved by keeper Hubery.

Pont were now creating several opportunities and a good break down the right resulted in Fenwick's cross being cleared but only to Gate, who blasted high over the bar.

This miss wasn't to prove costly for after 33 minutes Pont doubled their lead when Davidson coolly finished excellent passing between McIvor and Redhead.

Two minutes later it was game over when the lively Dawson headed into the path of McIvor, who went clear of the defence before striking firmly past Hubery.

On the stroke of half time Pont got a fourth with another flowing move.

Gate in midfield found McIvor who in turn fed Dummett down the left, and his dangerous cross was hit into the roof of the net from close range by Gate who had kept going forward after starting the move.

Peterlee made two substitutions at half time but this made little difference as Ponteland were at their free flowing best.

McIvor played in Dawson who just tapped the ball past the post and Gate tried his luck from 22 yards but this again went wide.

At the other end Doyle decided to follow suit but his shot from 25 yards went high and wide without troubling Havelock.

On 65 minutes McIvor played in Dawson and on this occasion he advanced confidently before placing the ball past keeper Hubery for number five.

There was still sufficient time for McIvor to score his second and Pont's sixth in what was the best move of the game.

The move actually started in Pont's own goal area with Daglish playing the ball wide to Willis, who advanced over the half way line before releasing Fenwick down the line and his high cross to the back stick was headed clinically home by McIvor.

Peterlee nearly obtained a consolation goal but a freekick given 25 yards out following Ford's lunge was tipped onto the bar by a back-pedalling Havelock.

This was a good all round performance and a welcome three points for Ponteland to lift them out of the bottom three against a Peterlee side which is currently in transition.

First published at 13:12, Thursday, 08 January 2009
Published by http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk