Northern League: Ryton 5 Northallerton Town 2

NEW manager Mark Fanning got his Northallerton Town career off to a flying start with a superb 2-1 away victory over Morpeth Town in midweek.

And what a spirited, determined, positive performance it was. Town were unrecognisable from the shambolic Ashington performance when they lost 5- 1 at home in their previous game.

Fanning has brought in eight new players, but only Ian Smirthwaite started at Morpeth.

This gritty display was down to player attitude and application along with a higher level of organisation.

Following a goalless first half, Town took the lead in the 49th minute through Scott McNicol who made a superb run through the home defence and, after beating three defenders, slotted the ball under the advancing keeper.

Carl Chillingsworth made it two on the hour when he headed home from a McNicol cross.

Morpeth applied late pressure and, with five minutes to go, they pulled one back through Anderson, but Town held out to come away with three valuable and deserved points.

On Saturday Town played their 1,000th career Northern League game when they travelled to Tyneside to face midtable Ryton.

Before the game Northern League secretary Tony Golightly presented Town vice-chairman Les Hood, who has been at the club since before the start of their Northern League days, a silver salver to commemorate the occasion.

Manager Fanning gave starts to new signings Chris Barker, Martin Butterworth and Stephen Allinson while on the bench he included Phillip Caley, Andy Ramsbottom and Ed Craven.

Although the 5-2 scoreline suggests an easy win for the home side, this wasn’t the case, the game was spoilt and became a lottery by the gale force wind that contributed to at least two of the Ryton goals.

Ryton got off to great start as they took the lead in just the fourth minute when Dale Burrell fired home from eight yards following a break down the left flank.

And it got worse for Town as they conceded a second in the 17th minute when a right wing cross hung in the wind and the unfortunate Chris Walker could only direct the ball into his own net. However Town hit back and they reduced the deficit in the 20th minute through Martin O’Riordan, who with the wind at his back and spotting the keeper off his line, scored with a great lob from the edge of the area.

Town were unlucky not to get an equaliser in the 47th minute when a ball in from the right from McNicol beat keeper Jonathan Hands, but unfortunately smacked against the bar.

Ryton increased their lead in the 80th minute when a great close range header from John Parker gave Town keeper Paul Clements no chance.

Three minutes later Ryton made the game safe when they added a fourth as a wind assisted 25-yard lob from Carl Patterson deceived Clements.

Clements was beaten again in the 86th minute when he failed to deal with a back pass and substitute David Smart took full advantage to fire home from the angle of the penalty area.

Town scored an 89th minute equaliser when a 25-yard drive from Martin Butterworth was dropped over the line by keeper Hands.

Town are at home tomorrow when Sunderland Nissan are the visitors, and on Easter Monday they are away to Penrith.

Both games are 3pm kick-off.