IT was an Easter to forget for Ponteland United .

Last Thursday saw them gunning for the first silverware of the season, taking on Seaton Delaval in the final of the Challenge Cup.

But it was Delaval who celebrated, with a comfortable 4-0 won at Grounsell Park.

Michael Baxter opened and closed the scoring with a goal in each half for Delaval, they scoring twice inside the first twenty minutes, Liam Easton adding the second.

After the break Ponteland tried to get back into the game, but to no avail. And their hopes were dashed when Matty Hayton added the third 10 minutes after the restart.

Man of the match Baxter went on to add his second, and Delaval’s fourth with 20 minutes remaining, much to the delight of their fans.

Back in league action on Saturday, things got worse for Ponteland when they entertained high-flying Birtley Town.

In one of only a handful of games played, they conceded 10 goals, and failed to score themselves.

Wallington fared only a little better when they travelled to Birtley for a midweek game.

Second-placed Birtley went ahead through Simon Hay’s early effort with Aaron McEwen putting away number two just after the half hour.

John Paxton pulled a goal back for the visitors five minutes before the interval, but it was scant reward as the title hopefuls went straight up the other end to restore their two goal advantage less then a minute later.

Jack Honour helped himself to number four on the stroke of half-time.

The second half would be best remembered for cards than goals; five yellows being handed out, whilst the only goal arrived through Justin Millican as time ticked down. Birtley, though, held firm for a 4-2 win.