PONTELAND United disposed of Northern Alliance rivals Prudhoe YC Seniors to make the final four of the Northumberland FA Minor Cup.

A 4-2 victory saw the Division One side progress past the quarter-finals stage at the expense of the side from the division below, United facing a wait to find out their opponents who stand in the way of a final appearance as no other quarters tie has been able to be played yet.

Saturday‘s game was switched the 3G pitch at Prudhoe High School to enable it went ahead, and it was Prudhoe who gained the upper hand when Adam Greenwood blocked an attempted pass by Ponteland goalkeeper Darren Bowey-Tyler and watched the ball roll over the line.

Ponteland had been on top until that point, Steve Satterthwaite unable to direct an early header on goal and Reece Havelock-Brown forcing a great stop from Prudhoe goalkeeper Mark Clark.

Prudhoe’s first real chance of note came when in-form striker Greenwood showed Glenn Ford a clean pair of heels but fired his effort well over the top of the bar.

Zack Bewley was a constant thorn in Prudhoe‘s side and he was inches away from finding the target, his attempt through a crowd of players hitting the foot of the post. Jack L’Argent skied the rebound with the goal at his mercy.

Liam McIvor then tried his hand when he opted to shoot from a tight angle, his effort blocked when there were better options available.

Despite all their attacking efforts, they found themselves a goal down when Greenwood‘s interception saw the ball bounce into the empty net.

Ponteland had a great chance to equalise soon after as Satterthwaite was brought down in the area after being played in by L’Argent, but the impressive Clark came to the fore when he palmed Bewley‘s spot kick over the top.

Not to be undeterred by the miss, Bewley kept at it and created his own opportunity as he broke into the box but his powerful shot went over the top.

Pont were finally on level terms two minutes before the break as Satterthwaite chested the ball down into the path of Gary Cook who got beyond his marker and fired well past Clark.

They nearly grabbed the lead a minute later when Bewley’s cross was driven towards goal on the half volley by Ford, but Clark somehow pulled off an incredible instinctive save to keep it level at the break.

Ponteland remained on the front foot after the restart and went ahead 10 minutes in as Chris Hibbitt drilled the ball across goal where Satterthwaite was on hand to head past Clark.

It looked to be game over two minutes later when Satterthwaite dummied Bewley‘s ball, L’Argent making amends for his earlier howler as he ran onto the ball and slammed it past Clark.

With the two-goal cushion, manager McIvor turned to the bench and introduced Stevie Rae and Ethan Bewley, and he was forced into his third and final substitution before the hour when Andrew Davidson replaced the injured L‘Argent.

Prudhoe started to grow into the game but were still unable to test Bowey-Tyler, until they threatened a comeback with a second goal with 10 minutes remaining.

Indecision at the back for United was capitalised on as Phil Murray picked up the loose ball and found a way past Bowey-Tyler.

The goal followed a moment of contention when Greenwood was cyncially hauled down by McIvor just outside the area as the striker looked to break through. As last man, the defender could count himself lucky to have only be shown a yellow card.

They enjoyed the same good fortune not long after the goal as a skirmirsh out of keeping with the spirit of the game resulted in hands being raised by a United player, again the red card not to be seen.

United continued to create chances at the other end and Rory Spencer, who made an impressive return from injury, headed an effort against the bar from man of the match Zack Bewley’s free kick.

The game was put to bed with Bewley again shining, pinching a ball in the middle of the park and playing a precise through ball to Rae who showed composure to round Clark and slide the ball into the empty net.