THERE have been some close encounters between Ponteland United and Wallington in recent years.

And when the two sides met at Ponteland High School on Saturday, the hosts had a score to settle after Wallington’s 2-1 victory at Scots Gap back in August. This time around United continued their recent good form to run out 2-0 winners.

On a blustery afternoon, Pont showed their teeth on 10 minutes, when captain Reece Havelock-Brown supplied Louis Calvert, who turned and fired a shot powerfully just over the crossbar from distance.

Havelock-Brown then released Ethan Bewley down the right and he thundered a shot to the near post which Wallington goalkeeper Aaron Carr tipped around the post. Shortly afterwards, the Greens’ Andy Bell had a shot deflected wide.

As the first half progressed, United, with the wind in their favour, mounted several attacks, with visiting defenders Josh Laverick and Justin Milligan leading by example.

Ponteland’s Shaun Kirkup volleyed high into the net from a Henry Rawlinson corner, but his effort was ruled out for pushing in the area.

Wallington almost made their hosts pay. Good passing saw the visitors exploit Ponteland’s high line and Jake Walton found himself through one-on-one with the keeper. But instead of going for goal, he tried to square the ball and the chance was lost.

Five minutes later, the hosts made a breakthrough when Dean Gallagher picked up the ball on the edge of the area, before dispatching it with precision.

On the hour mark, Wallington had a corner cleared off the goalline. Five minutes later, Ponteland’s Gary Cook and Chris Hibbitt interchanged passes down the left. Cook forced the keeper into a save, but Carr could only parry into the path of Bewley who scored to make it 2-0.

Ponteland were passing the ball with confidence in the second half, but Wallington continued to be a threat, with Bell and Kyle Reardon both going close.

Ponteland club secretary Alan Birkinshaw said the Black and Whites played some impressive football, and took their opportunities to score with aplomb, but he was full of praise for Wallington.

“Pont on this occasion overcoming their competitive and hardworking neighbours,” he said. “Spectators who braved the conditions can only have enjoyed such a fine game with credit to both teams.

Wallington’s Kyle Reardon said: “I’d say they deserved to win on the basis they took their chances and we didn’t. They have confidence and some goalscorers in their team which proved to be the difference.”