North-East Round-Up Week 3: All the results around the North-East
Welcome, to this weeks North-East round-up, where I will be looking back at last weekends impressive results across North-east football.
Newcastle United gave their Premier League survival hopes a massive boost with a 1-0 home victory over Manchester United.
After an open first half, Newcastle extended Jose Mourinho’s winless league run at St James’ Park after a Matt Ritchie winner in the 65th minute.
That result leaves Newcastle 13th entering the fortnight break but they remain two points above the drop zone.
Elsewhere in the Championship, it was a positive weekend for both Middlesbrough and Sunderland. Starting at the Riverside Stadium, Boro beat Reading 2-1 with an Adama Traore brace either side of the break.
Chris Martin then pulled one back 12 minutes from time but it wasn’t enough. With sides around them also picking up points, Middlesbrough are still ninth on 48 points.
Most importantly, they’re now just four points away from the final play-off spot occupied by Bristol City. Sunderland meanwhile were Boro’s saviors after they came from 3-0 down at half time to claim a 3-3 draw away at Bristol City.
Goals from Aden Flint and a Famara Diedhiou brace prompted Mackems’ fans to leave at half time, not realising that this match would go on to be known as ‘Bristanbul’ A Josh Brownhill own goal gave Sunderland some hope in the 70th minute, before Aiden McGeady then lashed the ball home from a set piece 11 minutes later.
The comeback was then completed in injury time when Joel Asoro’s cross into box could only be diverted by Marlon Pack into his own net.
The point wasn’t enough to lift them out of the bottom three.
Moving into the National League and Hartlepool’s away game at Barrow was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.
Gateshead’s trip to Guiseley meanwhile went ahead and The Heed ran out 1-0 winners, after Wes York struck in the sixth minute of the first half.
That was York’s first goal since scoring in the New Year’s Day 2-2 draw at Hartlepool and puts Gateshead up to 13th.
They however remain nine points outside the play offs.
Meanwhile in the National League North, Darlington made the trip to Bradford Park Avenue as they looked to extend their unbeaten run to five games.
Currently battling relegation, the Quakers slowly grew into the match before clinching a 1-0 winner in the 56th minute.
Stephen Thompson broke down the right and crossed for David Syers to fire home past Avenue keeper Steven Drench.
That win has seen Darlington rise up to 13th and six points clear of the drop.
Credit to The Chronicle, The Northern Echo and Darlington FC for the imagery used in this article.