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Report - Bedlington Terriers 4-0 West Auckland
A poor display saw West Auckland comfortably beaten at Bedlington Terriers as their wretched League form continues.
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Bedlington took control after this - Anthony Shandran had two quick off target efforts, the first curled over the second firing wide. Chris Phillipson had an easy shot held before Shandran again shot off target. The lively forward though deserved a goal and was duly rewarded with the game opener in the 26th minute when he was given too much time to go past Adam Laidlaw, look up and then shoot through the legs of Nick Thomas.
Shandran came close to setting up number 2 not long afterwards but Anthony Chapman shot over the bar. In a rare West break, Jardine wasn't too far away with a first time effort on the turn from 25 yards after the ball bounced to him (34).
Last season's Newcastle Blue Star player manager Steven Bowey, now plying his trade Bedlington, showed his quality when he found space, received a pass but saw Thomas do well to strongly palm his shot over the bar. However the West shot stopper could do nothing to deny Bowey in the 38th minute when a David Southern cross found a Bedlington forward and Jonathan Gibson both slide at the ball, the Bedlington player got quickly back up rolled the ball back to Bowey and he fired into the corner of the net.
Michael Heckley could not turn Dale Jardine's flick header on target following a free kick at the other end before Phillipson saw his shot bounce up of the greasy surface but Thomas pushed the ball wide.
The rain began to fall heavier in the second half and the West Auckland players will perhaps have wished they had stayed in the dressing room after another difficult 45 minutes.
In the 48th minute Bowey had an off target effort. West tried to changes things with a double change shortly followed by Kevin Bromley hobbling off after being caught. Adam Laidlaw had a shot on the turn from a free kick held, whilst Stuart Irvine pulled a free kick wide as West tried to reduce the deficit.
But the hosts dominated after this - Anthony Shandran's good run and deflected shot brought a good low stop from Nick Thomas who then got up quickly to pounce on the loose ball. The three points were then sealed when Gareth McAlindon picked up the ball and skimmed a shot off the slippy surface that flew through Thomas from 30 yards.
Bowey put another shot just wide before Mark Sheeran headed against the post with one of his first touches on as sub (76). Sheeran had a shot well blocked by Thomas' legs after West twice failed to clear. Bedlington were enjoying the game and were creating several openings. The next saw some good play finished by a bullet shot from David Southern thankfully off target.
Michael Heckley came close to turning sub Jamie Poole's dangerous close range cross into his own net. Lee Johnson flashed his late effort just wide before Bedlington finally added a deserved fourth 2 minutes from time. The ball was crossed to Poole who with his back to goal, 6 yards out and with Jonathan Gibson behind him, he turned and fired in off the post.
West sub Stephen Manson had an injury time effort saved by Paul Newton but it was Bedlington who took the win and three points.