New signing Lee Gustard and man of the match winger Zack Bewley struck the deciding goals which presented Northern Alliance Premier Division hopefuls United the chance to retain the prize they won 12 months ago.

The result was never in doubt after an assured performance against the only team which could have toppled them going into Wednesday’s match-up, Ponteland the most threatening from the start. Prudhoe, who start their Wearside League season a week on Saturday, weren’t at the races in the opening half and could count themselves lucky they were only one goal behind by the break. Despite a much improved second half, United still had the edge on them.

After a scrappy opening 15 minutes, Ponteland sprung into life and slick passing movements cut open a Prudhoe side lacking shape, and seemingly enthusiasm.

Bewley was the orchestrator of Ponteland’s attack as he relentlessly looked to get passed his man, although Town full back Andy Gowens did do well to restrict his influence at times.

His quick passing and tricky feet created numerous chances, Pont with the ball in the back of the net on 16 minutes when Gustard reacted to the rebound after Liam Blair parried Reece Havelock-Brown’s drilled effort. However, the linesman’s flag ruled the goal out.

Blair was kept busy in the first half and, after denying Bewley, was forced into a good stop from Billy Holden from close range.

Bewley was inches away from breaking the deadlock after he skipped past Gowens, his effort flashing across the face of the goal.

It was only a matter of time before United took the lead against a disjointed Prudhoe side, a fluent, one touch passing move a pleasure to watch.

It culminated in Bewley delivering a great cross with the faintest of touches from Gary Cook taking it off the head of defender Kieran Russel, the ball landing at the feet of Gustard who clinically rifled it home.

Moments later, Cook had a glorious chance to double the lead but his attempt from two yards out on the stretch somehow flew over the crossbar.

Prudhoe manager Mattie Thompson didn’t hold back in his half team talk time after a dire opening spell, demanding a huge improvement from his men.

Mick Rankin dropped out of midfield and into defence, and Ste Forster moved from centre half to his more natural place on the wing, and Town were much more threatening as a result.

It was Forster’s direct running which brought about Prudhoe’s first real chance of the game three minutes after the break, bundled over by Brendon Fairns-Kennedy to earn a free kick.

Derek Waters’ free kick was attacked by Arron Fletcher but volleyed over the top.

There was excitement about the inclusion of Brandon Bromyard, a former English schoolboy international who netted at Wembley in an U15 fixture, in the Prudhoe team, but he had a quiet first half.

He, like his teammates, started to grow into the game and he pinched the ball to start another Prudhoe attack moving, Waters picking out Forster with a long ball with the striker trying an overhead kick which was gathered by Craig Whinham.

Waters was another who was unusually anonymous in the early stages, but he started spraying the ball to all parts of the park and he forced a great stop by Whinham as he shifted the ball on to his left before letting fly from outside the area.

Yet it was game over with 20 minutes remaining, Bewley coasting through the middle of the park to collect a return pass from Gustard and slotting past Blair to put Ponteland through. The game fizzled out but Prudhoe continued to ask questions, Waters again kept out and Dan Graham shooting wide.