A BRACE for Simon Farrier fired Wallington to victory in Saturday’s derby encounter against Ponteland United in the Northern Alliance Premier Division.

The young striker struck early at Oakford Park, converting a low cross from the right.

Ponteland stalwart David Short equalised on the 30-minute mark, as the visitors carved out a foothold in the game. The versatile 32-year-old made a good run into the penalty area to convert a cross with a glancing header.

But in the second half, Wallington broke away down the left, and Farrier found the bottom left corner with a clinical finish.

The 2-1 victory saw Wallington get back to winning ways following a 3-1 defeat to Newcastle Blue Star during midweek. They have won three of their opening five league fixtures, and are currently seventh in the league table.

The Greens will travel to Alnwick Town in the league on Saturday.

Ponteland club secretary Alan Birkinshaw said: “Fair play to Wallington, and Farrier, who took his goals well. For his second goal, we got exposed to a certain extent but he still had to put the ball in the net.

“They have a good side at Wallington and you can see why they’ve had high finishes in the league in the past two seasons. As a group of players, they have stuck together for a few years and that has paid dividends.”

Ponteland are 10th in the league after a mixed start to the new campaign.

In midweek, before the Wallington defeat, they drew 1-1 at North Shields Athletic. Kane Gellateley advanced into the penalty area to fire Ponteland into the lead with just 10 minutes remaining. But North Shields equalised in the closing stages, when the ball was launched into the box from a free-kick, and bundled home.

Birkinshaw added: “We have a lot of good players at Ponteland and are a threat going forward.

“We’ve struggled to keep the ball out at the other end. It’s a shame because we really could have won comfortably at North Shields.

“We have missed some players due to injuries and holidays, but I’m sure we’ll get more settled as the season progresses.”