Northern League

Division 1

Division 2

2001-2002

Week ending 25/05/2002

Brandon United and Crook Town have both been deducted three points for fielding ineligible players.

Week ending 11/05/2002

The final week of the of the Northern League season for 2001-02 was a Final's week. Three games, three finals. Two of which were under the League’s jurisdiction, the third under the FA’s for a certain game at Villa Park.

The first was the League Cup Final, played at Durham City’s New Ferens Park ground on Bank Holiday Monday. A large crowd assembled to see the Final between Durham City, and newly crowned Second Division champions, Shildon. Shildon had agreed to play the game at the home of their opponents, although some supporters felt that it gave the home side an edge.

Whether or not it did is immaterial, as once the game started, a very keen contest ensued. Overall, not many scoring chances came, but once the game began to open up in the second half, the chances and goals began to happen. Steve Walklate opened the scoring just before half time with a cracking shot, and certainly a way to open your goal scoring record at the club. The goal gave Durham a slight edge and Shildon then had to try and break down a very solid Durham defence. They eventually broke through when people were thinking about getting away early to avoid the rush. If they did, they would have missed a very dramatic end. Les Langley equalised for Shildon with ten minutes remaining. Lee Ludlow then put Durham ahead again, on the 88^th minute that should have surely sealed the tie. But Shildon had another sting in the tail, as they levelled at 2-2 in the 90^th minute through Danny Richmond, to take the tie to extra time.

The League Cup now operates the golden goal rule for extra time, and supporters and dissenters of the rule alike must have some sympathy with a team that loses a cup final with a simple slip in defence, with no chance of recovery. And that was the way that this tie was settled. Extra time was only three minutes old, when there appeared to be panic in the Shildon goal, as the goal area was a mass of bodies and legs. Somewhere in the melee, Micky Dunwell, poked the ball home to seal the tie and the League Cup for Durham City.

It was a little tough on Shildon, as they had acquitted themselves well, but they still had the chance of further silverware to add to their championship trophy, as they were also in the Final of the Division Two League Cup, the Craven Cup. The League Cup Final was also covered by BBC Radio 5 Live, as part of their Challenge Lawro competition. The former Liverpool and Eire defender had predicted a 1-0 win for Durham City. Right winner, wrong score.

The Craven Cup was played on the Thursday at Esh Winning’s picturesque Waterhouses ground, between the sides who had also finished in the top two positions in the League, Shildon and Prudhoe Town. This was a really entertaining Final, with the game being reminiscent of the two League games played between them this season. A real end-to-end affair which surprisingly only had one goal, and that was scored by Prudhoe’s Stephen Hamil, after four minutes of the game, following an intercepted clearance from the goalkeeper. It was a tough way for Shildon to end their season, and no doubt that they will feel disappointed to have reached two cup finals, and lost both. However, they still achieved their goal of promotion to Division One, and claimed the championship along the way.

Saturday was the final of the FA Vase, between Whitley Bay and Tiptree United, held at Villa Park. The weather was perfect (although I’ve no doubt a little warm for the players), and for those that travelled, I’m sure they had a wonderful day. Many were feeling pre-match nerves that although Whitley were going into the game with confidence, Tiptree have been written off so many times in earlier rounds of having little chance of success, you begin to wonder if they were destined to win it.

The game was hardly a classic, as both appeared to play rather a cagey, safe game, rather than risk losing possession and conceding a chance or goal to the opponents. It was hardly surprising that the game ended goalless at the end of normal time. Extra time is when limbs begin to tire, and space and mistakes appear. Whitley had a golden opportunity to take the lead when they were awarded a penalty, but Andy Bowes’ tame shot was eagerly collected by keeper Michael Bavester. Incidents like that can work one of two ways. The side that conceded it can take heart from being let off the hook, or the side who missed it can resolve to do better with the next chance. Thankfully for Whitley, it was the latter. As the game wore on legs were becoming more tired, and cramp was affecting quite a few. It was a defensive slip that let in Whitley for the vital goal, Steve Cuggy providing Ian Chandler to send a rocket of a header into the goal.

As Tiptree were now forced to abandon some of their earlier caution, chances began to appear at both ends, and Whitley could claim to have scored another two. In a game like this, the amount of goals doesn’t matter, just that you win, and 1-0 to Whitley was round about right. Gary Middleton collected the Vase, the first NL captain to do so since 1997, it was good to see the Vase return to the North East. What a way to bring the curtain down on the season!

FA Vase Winners: Whitley Bay

League Division One Champions: Bedlington Terriers

Runners Up: Tow Law Town

Relegated: Ashington, Thornaby, Seaham Red Star

Division Two Champions: Shildon

Promoted: Prudhoe Town, Esh Winning

League Cup Winners: Durham City

Finalists: Shildon

Craven Cup Winners: Prudhoe Town

Finalists: Shildon