skilltrainingltd Northern League
Division Two
Northallerton Town 0
Stokesley 4

STOKESLEY, who won promotion to the Northern League First Division in midweek when they defeated Marske United, celebrated in great style with this superb 4-0 away victory over mid-table Northallerton Town.

Town went into this game on the back of three successive league defeats, the latest coming at Whitehaven a week last Tuesday night when they went down 4-3 with their goals coming from Martin Butterworth, Steven Allinson and a Carl Chillingsworth penalty.

There was little to choose between the two sides during a goalless first half on Saturday, but once Stokesley broke the deadlock, a minute after the break, there was only going to be one winner as they produced a great display of attacking football.

Following a goalless first half, Stokesley, who have scored in every league game that they have played this season, broke the deadlock in the 46th minute through Richard Hore, who latched on to a forward pass by Jennings before firing home from a position just to the right of goal.

Then, in the 54th minute an overhead kick by Brian Close just cleared the Town bar.

It was all Stokesley, and they increased their lead in the 58th minute when a left-wing corner from Bryan Stewart was poorly defended by Town, and the unmarked Paul Crager had the simple task of heading home from close range.

Town briefly replied as Allinson beat the offside flag to run through unchallenged, but although he hit a well-struck shot, it was straight at keeper Robert Dean who easily saved.

Then, two minutes later, a James Bowman left-wing cross was headed over the bar by Carl Chillingsworth.

But the visitors were not to be denied, and they increased their lead in the 80th minute when substitute Simon O’Shea intercepted a weak backpass and beat Alex Kell with a low shot.

The league’s leading scorer, Andy Jennings, scored his 37th goal of the season when he added Stokesley’s fourth in the 82nd minute with a simple leftfoot flick which beat Kell as it rolled into the bottom corner.

Following the weekend results, the three promotion places are decided: Stokesley, Sunderland RCA and Jarrow Roofing .

Town are away to Jarrow Roofing tomorrow, their next home game is on Wednesday when they entertain Newton Aycliffe, and on Saturday May 1, and they play their last game of the season when Washington are the visitors.