Published at 09:10, Monday, 06 August 2012

WALLINGTON will bid to defend their Clayton Charity Cup crown tonight when they face Ryton and Crawcrook Albion in tonight’s final.

The Northern Alliance Division One side are just 90 minutes away from lifting the trophy for the second successive year after an excellent 4-0 win over Prudhoe Town in the semi finals.

After thumping Ponteland United 5-1 in the quarters, Wallington, the current holders of the Northumberland FA Minor Cup, were expecting a tougher challenge from the Northumberland FA Senior Benevolent Bowl finalists in the semis.

And there was little between the teams in the opening period, Wallington going into the break with the slender advantage of a one-goal lead after Josh Gilmartin’s 28th minute strike.

It was to get worse for Prudhoe after the break though, an own goal three minutes in seeing Wallington double their lead and build in confidence.

On 65 minutes, Gilmartin got his second of the game from the penalty spot after John Paxton had been scythed down, and Wallington saved the best until last with Jackie Angus executing a sublime lob to round off the scoring.

Their opponents in tonight’s finals entered the competition as favourites due to their status as highest ranked team, but they needed penalties to get past a resilient Stocksfield side.

Ironically, it was a spotkick missed by the Griffins’ scorer of their two goals in the 2-2 draw who was the only one to miss in the shoot-out, to prevent a repeat of last year’s final.

New signing Chris Hall had ensured Stocksfield’s participation was not over after 90 minutes when his strikes overturned a 2-0 deficit, but he then saw his penalty saved by the Ryton keeper which sent his side home.

Ryton dominated the first half and were one goal to the good after just eight minutes, Paul Dunn finding the breakthrough to put Albion right on track.

When Steve Cramer netted a second for Ryton on 23 minutes, it seemed like it was game over for the Griffins from Stocksfield.

But striker Hall had different ideas, the tide turning in the Oranges’ favour with his goals on 52 and 79 minutes.

After his instinctive play through the game, all were shocked to see his penalty saved, and it proved decisive as Ryton went on to win the shootout 5-4.

Tonight’s final will be played at Haydon Bridge’s Low Hall Park, with a 6.45pm kick off.

Published by http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk