SHAUN Johnstone produced a late winner which sent Haltwhistle Jubilee into the final of the county cup.

The striker pounced with just two minutes of normal time remaining to edge out semi-finals opponents Lemington Social, guaranteeing a date in the final of the prestigious Northumberland FA Sunday Cup with Amble Tavern.

Having won all eight trophies played for in the Hexham and District Sunday League for the past two years, the team have harboured hopes of going all the way on a higher stage and now have a great opportunity to bring home the county’s biggest prize.

Johnstone‘s late goal sparked wild celebrations at Haltwhistle’s replacement pitch at Bardon Mill Cricket Club, going with earlier goals from teammates Mark Robson and defender Gavin Cox.

In league action, Prudhoe Social Club narrowed the gap at the top of Division One to two points as goals from James Curry, Shaun Stewart and James Watson helped them to a 3-0 win over town rivals Halfway House Prudhoe . Stefan Rainbow was Social‘s star man, with Danny Driver starring for Halfway.

A slender 2-1 win at bottom club Phoenix Chopwell moved Bardon Mill Bowes Lyon level on points with third placed Halfway, man of the match Rob Hayes scoring one and the other coming courtesy of an own goal.

Curtis Lucas netted for Chopwell, who had Stephen Smith impressing to earn the man of the match accolade.

Division Two leaders Heddon St Andrew’s went six points clear at the top as man of the match Mark Murtagh led the way in the 4-1 win over bottom club Adam and Eve Prudhoe .

Dan Walker maintained his excellent scoring form as he has now netted in each of his last 14 games, while Sean Hownam got the other. Man of the match Sam Calkin scored for Prudhoe.

Hexhamshire made it three wins for the season as they defeated Rose and Crown Bellingham 5-2, Lee Riley and Chris Hodges both helping themselves to doubles.

Dan Miller was also on target while Phil Tipple was man of the match, while Harry Davidson and Gary Shaw netted for Bellingham who were best served by Phil Suckling.

Ryton Social Club progressed into the quarter-finals of the President‘s Cup courtesy of a 3-0 win over Division Two rivals Haydon Bridge Anchor , Martin Smith with two and Nathan Reed with the other. Andrew Below was star man, with Darren Dobson named Haydon Bridge’s equivalent.

Fixtures for Sunday, February 14:

Beales of Hexham Division One: Hexham Phoenix v Phoenix Chopwell (ref tbc); Bardon Mill Bowes Lyon v Prudhoe Social Club (Kevin Piggford); Halfway House Prudhoe v Prudhoe Town (Peter Hudspith); Barrasford v Haltwhistle Jubilee (Rob Draper). The Phoenix Hexham Division Two: Haydon Bridge Anchor v Hexhamshire (Ellen Bailey); Rose and Crown Bellingham v Adam and Eve Prudhoe (Phil Sim); Heddon St Andrew‘s v Swinburne Arms Stamfordham (Mark Baston); Ryton Social Club v Haltwhistle Railway (Ian Gunn).