Ponteland United got back into action today after a break of almost two months through bad weather and faced a difficult test against visitors Seaton Delaval in the Kicks Leisure Challenge Cup

United were at full strength with Liam McIvor returning upfront after a three match suspension back in December and welcomed newcomer Jeff Forsyth into the starting line up for his debut..

New manager Warren Fisher is still waiting for his first win in charge of Heddon, and they were beaten 3-2 by hosts Cramlington Town.

The two sides had drawn in an earlier encounter, but the Town forged ahead this time and were three goals to the good after 50 minutes thanks to Stuart Hepple (2) and Kevin Long.

There were two quick replies from Heddon's Ben Haddock and Mark McEwen but they could not save the game.

Heddon and Newcastle University seem certain to end the year propping up the rest - with the students only three points better off than their fellow strugglers.

Ponteland United match report »

Pictured: Cramlington Town's Stuart Hepple (yellow and blue) battles for the ball with a Heddon player. Photo by Steve Miller

A good allround team performance by Ponteland United secures all three points in an entertaining encounter with Carlisle City. After an early rush of goals Pont gradually assumed control to run out deserving winners.

In his first game in charge of Heddon, new manager Warren Fisher came close to seeing his players securing their first home win against fellow-strugglers Newcastle University but it finished all square at 3-3.

Heddon made a great start for their new team boss and were two goals up inside three minutes thanks to Daniel Robinson and John Pearson.

Michael Forrest opened the University's account after half an hour, but Daryl Lucas was on target to restore Heddon's two- goal lead just before the changeover. Will Deledicq then notched a second for the visitors to rekindle their hopes and struck again in the 89th minute to salvage a point.

Meanwhile, Heddon St Andrews Saints booked their place in the Churches Together Football League Cup final by triumphing 7-2 over Whitley Bay Dynamos.

They will meet St John's A in the final on March 27 next year.

Heddon's management team of Ian Thompson and Stephen Close have both resigned - and the club has acted quickly to appoint a replacement.

The vastly-experienced Warren Fisher, who has been helping out at Gateshead Rutherford, will be taking over the reins at Bullocksteads with immediate effect - and he hopes to bring in an assistant in the next fortnight.

Heddon are languishing at the foot of the table and were beaten 6-2 by hosts Wark in last Saturday's top-versus-bottom encounter.

Ponteland United travelled to second place Walker Central eager to avenge the 6 - 1 mauling they received at home in the third game of the season. With McIvor still suspended Gavin Wood retained his place to lead the attack and Richard Kent replaced Joe Dawson on the right of midfield.

Mark Rasmussen on the left for Walker was looking lively in the early stages and had one good long range effort saved by Havelock and cleared by Dummett. The early pressure remained with the hosts but they were stunned after 10 minutes when Ponteland broke down the left and a cross from Dummett was headed on by Wood to Kent who hit an unstoppable shot into the top corner from the right hand side of the goal area.

There is still no respite for Heddon, who are still seeking their first home win of the campaign.

The Northumberland side remain isolated at the bottom, equal on points with Newcastle University who have played six games less than the Bullocksteads outfit.

Entertaining an Alnwick Town side which had just lost three league games on the trot, Heddon were beaten 2-1 as their misery continued.

Late in the first half, two goals by Kevin Elliott and Tony Brown set Alnwick up for the kill - and they held on for the points after Daniel Robinson got their hosts off the mark.

Ponteland United match report »

Keeping it simple is paying dividends at Ponteland. Alan Moses told Nick Purewal the devil's in the uncomplicated detail

Rugby's easy when you stick to the basics, and at Ponteland that's what head coach Alan Moses has been at pains to drive home.

When the RFU Regional Development Officer took over as player-coach last season, Ponteland had just suffered relegation from Durham/Northumberland One. After a solid first year, the club now find themselves level top of DN2, and battling hard with Ryton for the chance to return from whence they came.

Ponteland made one enforced change from the cup victory at Wark last Saturday with Gavin Wood replacing the suspended Liam McIvor. The game got underway on a dark dismal and wet afternoon at the Leisure Centre and it was Wood who made his presence known after ten minutes when he collected a clever back heel from Holden and saw his left foot drive cannon off the post back into the arms of visiting keeper Adnitt.

Matfen Hall's John Harrison scored a last-round 67 to win the European Senior Tour Qualifying School by three shots in Portugal yesterday, with fierce rivals Slaley Hall now on his agenda.

Harrison, director of coaching at Matfen, set the lowest total in the event since 2001 as he finished on 14-under 270 at Pestana Golf Resort's Vale da Pinta course, breaking 70 in all four rounds. It was the lowest aggregate 72-hole score since Steve Stull's ten-shot victory eight years ago.

"It was fantastic. I'm really chuffed and I'm delighted to get my card," said Harrison, who becomes eligible for the Senior Tour when he turns 50 in May.