Northallerton still in the mix (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

Northallerton still in the mix

1:05pm Friday 8th March 2013 in Sport

NORTHALLERTON TOWN remain on course to become the first club to retain the Ernest Armstrong Cup as they came from behind to see off the brave challenge of ten-man Ryhope CW on Wednesday of last week.

In a cup tie that had literally everything, Town set up a quarter finaltriptoChester-leStreet thanks to a brace from Mickey Dunwell and further efforts from Adam Emson, Carl Chillingsworth and an own goal, after Ryhope had defenderGregSwansbury sent off in the first half.

“It was a great end-to-end game thatflowed one way and then the other,” said a delighted Fanning at the whistle.

“Credit to Ryhope who dug in after they were reduced to ten men, but I thought we just about deserved the win.”

A much-changed Town side were then held to a 1-1 draw by visitors Ryton and Crawcrook Albion in the league last Saturday. In a flat performance, Chillingsworth appeared to have given Fanning’s side threepoints intheir promotion push with a neat finish midway through the second half, but Paul King equalised for Albion soon after and that was the way it finished.

“We never really got going,”

said the Town boss. “The tempo and will to win were missing. Our passing was terrible and our decision making even worse.We made changes after the tough cup tie against Ryhope but this now looks like being a bad decision.”

The draw sees Town drop down to fifth in Division Two although they will look to bounce back with a trip to struggling Chester-le-Street tomorrow afternoon. Kick off at Moor Park is 3pm.