Ebac Northern League
West Auckland Town 2
Seaham Red Star 1
WEST'S busy end to the season continued with a hard fought home win against a battling Red Star side at the Wanted Stadium on Tuesday night.
The first 45 minutes will not live long in the memory. What is it they say on the big radio stations? Much endeavour but little end product.
The only incidents of note were an Adam Mitchell free kick which drifted wide and a Tommy Scott shot for the visitors which flew past Shane Bland's far post on the stroke of half time.
Things picked up in the second 45 minutes, which began with the introduction of Alex Francis for Arran Wearmouth.
West opened the scoring with the game's first real piece of quality football.
Ross Colqhoun and Anthony Bell combined well down the left. Bell stroked a fine cross which found Mitchell unmarked on the far post. He cut in and finished confidently from close range.
Seven minutes later, Red Star were level, Alex Ramshaw making the most of his chance after West failed to deal with a straightforward cross from the left.
The hosts restored their lead on 65 minutes when Dan Parker headed in Mitchell's corner after Jordan Harkess in the Red Star goal had come for the cross but missed the ball.
With Amar Purewal on for Bell and Mark Doninger replacing Nathan Fisher, West saw out the game, collected the points and consolidated third place in the table.
One final note – it was good to see Ben Wood among the 151-strong crowd and in good spirits after breaking his ankle in Saturday's game against Ashington.
There is little rest for his teammates, who are back in action on Thursday night at Jarrow Roofing before Saturday's trip to Wearside for the return fixture against Red Star.
