Brown's hat trick too much for black & whites

With several players either injured or unavailable Ponteland gave a debut to seventeen year old Jack L'Argent after consistent displays for the clubs Reserves side and the teenager put in an accomplished performance. Another teenager Liam Blair returned in goal after injury and just got the nod ahead of Ryan Carter.

The first twenty minutes was quite open without any side creating any clear goal scoring opportunities. Simon Cunningham for the visitors shot from distance but the ball went high and wide and David Brown headed Shaun Gibson's cross from the left hard down into the ground and the ball bounced over the crossbar. United lost Wood in the first period with a foot injury and was replaced by McGorie. On 25 minutes the Colliers took the lead when normally reliable keeper Blair failed to punch a high cross and Glen Bolton headed home. Ten minutes later United were level when a cross from Robinson on the right was headed out to Holden and the in form striker showed great composure to cut inside before firing low and true into the net. Flynn had a similar opportunity minutes later this time from McGorie's cross but his firmly struck shot sailed high over the bar.

Half time was approaching and finished in dramatic fashion. Into first half injury time the dangerous David Brown swivelled in the box and rifled a right foot shot into the goal and a minute later Holden did the same. Half time 2 - 2.

In the second half the visitors gradually got more on top particularly in midfield despite the tireless efforts of United's Stephenson and Dunn. Neverthess goalscoring opportunities remained far and few between. On 63 minutes the Colliers got their noses in front again when David Brown got on the end of a freekick and found his header misjudged by Blair as it crept into the net off the post. Holden tried his best up front but despite the efforts of the team was too often the only real threat going forward. He nearly got his hat trick after a typical mazy run but saw his effort slip past the post. A hat trick did in fact come but it was the Colliers David Brown who scored it. He had an excellent afternoon holding up the ball and was involved in most of Ashington's play and put the game beyond Pont's reach with a well taken goal.

Manager Havelock could not fault his young team for its hardworking performance but once Wood had left the field they lacked any physical presence until another teenage debutant, substitute Liam Warren, entered the fray.

With Walker producing a shock 4 - 0 victory at home to Killingworth the defeat pushed United back into the bottom two.