Penalty clincher

Pont made one change from the team that performed so heroically at Harraby with Max Turner replacing Andrew Davidson in the starting line up.

The match was evenly balanced in the first half with few clear cut chances. Craig Johnson had an early opportunity coming in from the left but his low left foot drive went by the post.

Glenn Ford, for the hosts, saw his downward header well saved by the keeper from Turners freekick after Holden had been clinically scythed down by the Delaval rearguard when in full flight. Another deep cross from Turner found Sean Willis at the back post but the Delaval defence bravely blocked his goalbound volley. Half time came with Pont just about shading the game having had the better chances but neither side had really tested the opposing keepers.

The second half welcomed the return of Pont's Paul Hodgson after a lengthy suspension carried over from last season when at Heaton Stannington. Hodgson looked keen to get back into the action after a two month absence and with Brown in the holding role he started to drive Ponteland forward. The pace of Willis and Holden was causing Delaval some problems and as the weather deteriorated with a torrential downpour Pont looked for a way through.

Holden had the best chance of the game when Willis's goalbound effort was well saved by keeper Nairns but the ball fell to Holden some eight yards from goal but he volleyed the ball high over the bar with the goal at his mercy. McIvor was unlucky to see a deliberate curling left foot shot float just past the angle of the post and crossbar. Delaval however remained in determined mood and their best chance in the second half fell to Stephen Anderson but his header from Stephen's Torre's excellent cross just cleared the bar.

With ten minutes remaining Willis got clear down the right and cut into the penalty area before having his feet taken from under him. Up he got to calmly side foot the spot kick past Nairn to give Pont the advantage. The penalty was unfortunately Willis' last kick of the game as he pulled his groin in the process! Jeff Fuller came on as a substitute for Delaval but his time on the field was short lived for within minutes he received his marching orders for head butting in the chest. Although five minutes additional time was played Pont saw out the game safely with Ford and Anzevui commanding at the back.

Final Score Ponteland United 1 Seaton Delaval 0.