Northern League: Cool Callen strike seals impressive RCA success at Bishop Auckland

Sunderland RCA completed a fine double with an excellent 2-1 First Division victory at sixth-placed Bishop Auckland on Saturday.
Seaham Red Star (red/white) take on Newcastle Benfield (green) at Seaham Town Park on Saturday. Picture by Kevin BradySeaham Red Star (red/white) take on Newcastle Benfield (green) at Seaham Town Park on Saturday. Picture by Kevin Brady
Seaham Red Star (red/white) take on Newcastle Benfield (green) at Seaham Town Park on Saturday. Picture by Kevin Brady

A sixth away win of the campaign lifted Martin Swales’ side to 11th.

They made the breakthrough, in a dour first half, on 38 minutes when a long ball over the top of the Bishops’ defence was taken down by John Butler, and clinically slammed home a low shot, against his former team.

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But the home side were level just six minutes later, with left-back Michael Hoganson feeding Andre Bennett to score, though goalkeeper Craig Hodgson got a touch on his strike.

RCA, though, deservedly regained the lead with what proved to be the winning goal nine minutes after the break.

Davis’s cross from the right caught out the home defence and Stephen Callen coolly finished with a sidefooted shot past keeper Thomas Dawson.

Seaham Red Star maintained 10th place in the table after a fine 2-1 home victory against Newcastle Benfield.

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They needed just seven minutes to make the breakthrough, with David Palmer capitalising on poor defensive work to slot home.

Tom Price headed an effort off the line to preserve the lead, and keeper Shaun Newbrook made two fine saves to deny Paul Brayson before Red Star had the better second-half chances.

Palmer rattled the bar and Craig Lynch had a brilliantly worked individual effort saved by Andrew Grainger before the lead was doubled on 79 minutes, Robbie Bird scoring from close range, following good wing play from Palmer.

Matthew Cornish hit a cracking, late consolation for Benfield in the last minute, but Red Star deserved the points.

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It’s looking grim for bottom club Chester-le-Street after they were beaten 4-2 at Jarrow Roofing, who continued their excellent form.

Roofing took the lead through Paul Chow in the 22nd minute, when he volleyed home from close range, but the visitors equalised five minutes later, Joe Hailes tucking the ball home from a rebound.

Roofing went ahead again, when Anthony Myers scored from close range and it was 3-1 on 72 minutes when Dennis Knight curled in a superb shot.

Calvin Smith made it 4-1 from close range, just four minutes later, before Dominic Laws headed home Chester’s second goal.

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North Shields moved 14 points clear of South Shields at the top, though the Mariners have four games in hand.

The Robins finished convincing 3-0 winners at home to defending champions Shildon.

They were ahead in the fourth minute, when Ryan Carr followed up to score after Dan Wilson hit the post from a clever free-kick routine.

Shildon battled gamely but were sunk by two goals in the final 24 minutes. Curtin Coppen headed home the second goal at the back post, from Michael McKeown’s free-kick.

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And Coppen added a late third, with another powerful header from a McKeown centre.

Washington were without a game, but they remain eight points clear of the drop zone.

West Allotment’s visit to Morpeth Town was postponed, while second-bottom Guisborough Town were beaten 5-2 at Dunston UTS.

Dale Burrell (2), Scott Heslop, Liam Thear and Steven Richardson did the damage, with Louis Goldsack and Ben Hugill responding.

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West Auckland are only one point above fourth-bottom Washington, after crashing 3-0 at home to Newton Aycliffe.

Aycliffe went ahead after just two minutes, when Jamie Owens scored at the second attempt.

In the 62nd minute, they doubled their lead, following goalkeeper Lewis Graham’s mistake, with the ball rebounding for Owens to score.

Josh Gray added a deflected third goal with 16 minutes left.

Marske United suffered a surprisee 4-3 defeat to Penrith.

Ashley Coffey, Danny Earl and Craig Gott struck for the Seasiders, but Martyn Coleman’s brace, backed by Bobby Atkinson and Shaun Gardner, saw the Cumbrians home in a thriller.