Northern League round-up: Guisborough batter Bishops to stay second as Marske and Synners suffer setbacks

Guisborough kept the heat on West Auckland at the top of the Northern League as they stayed second with a thumping 5-0 win at Bishop Auckland, but fellow title hopefuls Marske lost 1-0 at Jarrow Roofing and Billingham Synthonia suffered a 2-1 defeat to Bedlington.

Second tier high flyers Norton still have the only unbeaten home record in both divisions, but the Ancients had to settle for a goalless draw against Whickham and finished with 10 men as they remained third.

Thornaby put their North Riding Senior Cup battering by Scarborough Athletic behind them as they thrashed rock-bottom Brandon 4-0 on their travels, despite having Stephen Morrison sent off.

But Billingham Town suffered a lacklustre 1-0 reverse at Ryton and Stokesley lost 3-1 at Broughton Road to Heaton Stannington.

Guisborough made it nine wins in as many matches in 2015 as they bashed Bishops, with Nathan Steel netting the man of the match award.

Three slickly-worked first half goals from Callum Martin (17 minutes), Steel (28) and James Risbrough (41) laid the foundation for another impressive Priorymen victory.

Bishops’ cause became a lost one soon after the interval when Kyle Davis was sent off after an ugly incident with blameless Guisborough midfielder Chay Liddle.

The visitors assumed complete control and added further late goals from Curtis Round and Andrew May in the closing five minutes to cap an excellent all-round performance.

Marske still have games in hand on their fellow title contenders but have now lost two in a row and drop a spot to fifth following their single-goal defeat at Jarrow.

Kick-off was delayed for 18 minutes after one of the referee’s assistants arrived at the ground late, and the Jamie Owens-less Seasiders missed a great chance to go in front when Glen Butterworth sliced wide.

Roofing scored their winner on the counter attack following a Marske free-kick as Lewis Teasdale nodded in a right-wing cross on 36 minutes.

Marske gave it their best shot after the break but a Josh MacDonald shot that was tipped onto the post was the closest they came to scoring.

Billingham Synthonia fell to fourth-bottom after Stephen Young’s brace gave Bedlington victory at Central Avenue.

Dan Dillon was sent off in Billingham Synthonia's defeat to Bedlington

Synners started without Michael Sweet after the top scorer turned his ankle in their midweek League Cup defeat at Shildon.

Sweet's injury meant John Alexander made a second start up front, but it was the Terriers who took a 10th minute lead when Young controlled a first-time cross from the right and rounded Peter Burke in the home goal.

Bedlington should have doubled their lead on the stroke of half time through Dylan Williamson, but the winger scuffed his shot straight at Burke after holding off Matty Osmond.

Young added his and Bedlington’s second three minutes after half-time when he rolled the ball into an empty net from the left-hand side of the penalty area.

Synners did much more pressing after Sweet came off the bench to replace Alexander, but midfielder Dan Dillon did them no favours when he was shown a straight red card for a needless kick on Williamson right in front of the referee.

Synners had to make an injury-enforced change when right-back Chris Dodds was stretchered off with ankle ligament damage.

Sweet pulled a goal back with a belting volley following a Kris Hughes corner, but only three minutes of added time were played despite a lengthy delay while Dodds was being tended to.

Norton were below their best for a second week in a row in a scrappy game of few chances against Whickham.

Ancients shot-stopper David Knight kept out a Chad Collins effort and opposite number John Mordey denied Tom Bligh after he was set up by John Seaton.

Further chances were limited and Ancients defender Luke Johnson received a second yellow card five minutes from time. Elsewhere in Division Two, Thornaby got over their 11-1 North Riding Senior Cup mauling by Scarborough Athletic as they blitzed Brandon, with their substitutes playing starring roles.

Ged Livingstone converted Morrison’s 19th minute cross to give them the lead, but the central defender was sent off five minutes into the second half for a stray elbow.

New signing from Synners Theo Furness came off the bench to make his Thornaby debut after Morrison walked and was involved in the build-up which led to fellow sub Richie Walker heading in the second.

Curtis Edwards supplied the assist for Danny Lofts to score Thornaby’s third and Walker turned provided for Joe Melvin - another sub - to complete the scoring with a tap-in. Thornaby are seventh.

Billingham Town were poor in their defeat at Ryton and failed to manage a shot on target until the 92nd minute when Gary Redman saw his effort saved.

Ryan Burnyeat bobbled in Ryton's scruffy winner following a first half corner.

David Edwards equalised with a header on the stroke of half time after Stokesley had fallen behind at home against Heaton Stannington.

Richard Hoggins scored his second of the afternoon to put The Stan back in front and Ben Telford added their third.