FA Vase and cup ties shape a week of penalties and tribute

FA Vase weekend across the Northern League, with cup football giving the week its shape and a funeral giving it its heart.

Ryton & Crawcrook Albion moved to within a point and a place of the play-off places with a 2-0 win at Darlington Town, Rhys Hutchinson and Charlie Grieveson both scoring in the closing stages at the Eastbourne Sports Complex, watched by 68. The club described it as "a perfect tonic & confidence booster" after a midweek setback, and did not have long to enjoy it: Durham County FA Cup duties followed against Durham United, RACA winning 3-0 through Nathan Beesley, Glenn Caygill and a stoppage-time Evann Jardine goal, before Saturday's FA Vase visit of Billingham Town.

That tie went to penalties, with Billingham Town advancing 7-6 after a 1-1 draw, according to Ryton & Crawcrook Albion. Billingham Town had earlier seen off Willington AFC 2-0 in the Durham Cup, with Eddie Ormerod named man of the match, and their FA Vase travel was eased when Omni Funding covered every supporter's coach seat for the trip.

Elsewhere in the Vase, Jarrow beat Marske United 3-1, while Durham United won 4-2 on penalties against Easington Colliery following goals from Oliver Bell and Oskar Düenkel. Grangetown Boys Club lost at the death to a Step 5 side and headed to Pickering next, while Seaton Carew made the 238-mile round trip to Barrow to face Holker Old Boys in what the club called their first-ever FA Vase appearance, and Darlington Town took on Whitley Bay away in the second round qualifying, unveiling new home and away kits and sponsors from Radgie's Darlington, Morley Holdings and Meet n Marrow along the way.

Away from results, the week was marked by loss and tribute. Hartlepool observed a social media blackout to mark the funeral of coach Matt Blades, a "much-loved and highly respected" figure at the club, with thoughts also extended to the family of PC Tom Clough. The club's U10 side has been renamed FC Blades in his memory, winning their first game under the new name with goals from Lucas and Zain. Daragh, a friend of Blades, is running the Great North Run in his place to continue fundraising for Parkinson's UK that has already raised £5,617 plus Gift Aid.

Squad news came from several clubs: Boldon C.A. signed James Fairley from Chester Le Street Town ahead of Vase action at Campion, Billingham Synthonia added Alfie Turnbull, Prudhoe Youth Club brought in Jensen Guthrie from Melbourne, and Sunderland RCA confirmed Chris Trewick after his debut clean sheet, while bidding farewell to Chris Thompson, who joins Chester Le Street Town.