UNABLE to find the back of the net for most of the first half, the floodgates opened for Prudhoe YC Seniors as they breezed into the last 16 of the Northumberland FA Minor Cup.

The hosts thumped seven second half goals past Tyneside Amateur League opponents Newbiggin Hall as they finished as convincing 8-0 victors.

The deadlock was broken a minute before the break, Scott Brown feeding teenager Sam Beedle 30 yards out for the youngster to fire a long range effort into the top corner for the opener.

As the visitors tired, Prudhoe ran riot and some great football saw them carve open Newbiggin as James Watson, Paddy Finnerty and Jordan Phillips all netted. Beedle completed his double with a fine 20 yard effort, with Danny Driver, man of the match Phil Murray and then Adam Greenwood completing the rout.

Prudhoe are joined by Ponteland United in the fourth round as they too made light of lower league opposition, putting five without reply past North Shields Community Christians.

They were only one goal to the good at the break when Zack Bewley used his pace and skill for a fine individual goal on 20 minutes.

Gary Cook inspired United after the break and he netted his side’s second five minutes after the break, before putting one on a plate for Steve Satterthwaite just five minutes later. Satterthwaite got his second soon after Bewley and Cook both had shots blocked, and it was over to Cook to end the scoring as he ran onto a great cross from Jack L’Argent and volleyed a rocket into the top corner.

United now harbour hopes of making the quarter-finals, as do Ponteland United Reserves who caused a shock by beating Northern Alliance outfit Cramlington United 4-2. Hexham are aiming to make it a clean sweep in progressing past round three, and travel to Longbenton on Saturday after the tie was postponed last weekend.

It was doubles all round for Wallington in the Alliance Premier Division as braces from Ash McAlpine, John Paxton and Dan Thompson helped them to a 6-0 victory over Shankhouse.

McAlpine started and finished the scoring from the penalty spot, keeping his cool from 12 yards on 15 and 55 minutes. In between, man of the match Paxton and Thompson got two each as Wallington took a five goal advantage into half time.

Prudhoe Town’s fight back in the Wearside League against Cleator Moor Celtic fell just short as they lost by the odd goal in nine.

They were unlucky not to earn a point their performance deserved, clawing back two goals in the final seven minutes before going close with a free kick in the dying moments.

Derek Waters and Arron Fletcher and substitutes Josh Brooks and Michael Rankin all netted for Town, who had been in the game throughout before conceding three goals in seven minutes with 20 remaining.

Alston Moor Sports Club returned to winning ways, making the quarter-finals of the Weardale Cup by defeating 10-man Crook Town Wanderers.

They took an early lead when Jamie Ellwood lashed home from 15 yards out, and their dominance continued with Ellwood getting his second in between a brace from Callum James. The hard working Crook pulled a goal back after the break, but the four goal margin was restored with 20 minutes remaining when young Thomas Athey scored his first of the season by hammering a loose ball high into the net.

An ever improving Prudhoe Town Women‘s side claimed a point against second placed Birtley YPC with an excellent first half display. Ruth Lewis and Kelly Loughhead scored as the teams were tied 2-2 at the break, and that is how it finished in the North East Women‘s Northern Division. Catherine Johnston was again named player of the match for Town.

Tynedale Ladies trailed Whitley Bay Women by just one goal at half time in the Premier Division, but endured a torrid second half as they ended up conceding seven further strikes.