Marske had to settle for a point in a wind-affected match against Billingham Town after their club record 7-1 defeat at Consett
Norton's John Seaton (white), on the ball, pictured with Stokesley's Andrew Lambert (yellow)
Marske boss Ted Watts is still sure the big-spending Seasiders will finish in mid-table in the Northern League first division despite being held to a goalless draw at home by relegation-bound Billingham Town.
Marske were looking for a tonic at the end of a trying week which featured a club record 7-1 defeat at Consett, but had to settle for a point in a wind-affected derby featuring few chances.
Andy Jennings brought a point-blank save out of Town keeper Joe Williamson in the first half and the on-loan Darlington shot stopper tipped Craig Gott’s inswinging corner onto his crossbar after the break.
Leggy winger Daniel Ballantyne was denied twice by Robert Dean in the Marske goal after being sent racing clear for the well-organised visitors’ two best chances, but neither side could muster a winner.
There have been growing rumblings of discontent at the GER Stadium with ambitious Marske now down in 16th place in the table following a blistering start to the season.
But Watts is sure he can mastermind a strong finish to the campaign and said success in football does not just happen overnight.
“I’m not naive enough to think it was a good result against Billingham Town, because it wasn’t,” Watts said. “We should be beating them.
“But I’m still totally confident that we will finish in mid-table, which was the target at the start of the season, and we have just got to be positive and stick together.
“I’m not low at all. I had lower points when I was at Stokesley. It took 12 years and four teams to get us from the bottom of the Teesside League to the NL First Division.
“I’ve only been here just over a year and if we finish above 13th - which I’m still confident of doing - it will be Marske’s best finish for over a decade.
“We had a great start to the season, but lost key players for months on end. I came here as part of a three-year project and will give it my all in the time I’m here.”
The mood in the away dressing room was much more upbeat as Town’s mix-and-match side picked up only their fifth point of the season and second clean sheet in what was only new manager Darren Trotter’s second league game in charge. Former Marske boss Trotter said: “What I’m pleased about more than anything is the lads stuck to a game plan, did what was asked of them and showed grit and determination like they have in all the other games. It bodes well for us, but it’s a work in progress. If we can continue like we have been in the last couple of games, we’ve got a chance to do something going forward. Let’s hope that the club has hit rock-bottom and now we are bouncing up.”
Norton won the other Teesside derby in the second division as John Seaton scored a late winner in their 3-2 home victory against Stokesley.
Nicky Martin had headed the Ancients in front, but Harry Taylor equalised with a header from a corner. Kristian Kamara made it 2-1 to Stokesley from the penalty spot before Karl Charlton scored his first Norton goal for 2-2 and Seaton got his second goal in two games.
Billingham Synthonia striker Michael Sweet scored his 24th goal of the season but it was in vain as Synners suffered their second 3-1 defeat in a row, at Ashington.
Thornaby turned on the style at Teesdale Park, demolishing Esh Winning 3-0 with goals from Chris Burton, Ged Livingstone and David Wells.
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