Defeat condemns Penrith to relegation – or has it?

Frenchfield Park, home of Penrith AFC. Picture: Karl Collinson

A dismal 4-1 home defeat to Seaham Red Star condemned Penrith to relegation from Division One of the Northern League – or has it?

Chairman Billy Williams was clinging to a faint hope that his club could be saved from the drop to Division Two.

“I was only told about it yesterday and I still can’t find out if it’s just a rumour or there is something in it. There is a suggestion that other leagues will come into the equation over goals scored when it comes to sorting out relegated clubs.

“It’s a bad weekend to contact people in the know but I hope to find out definitely by Tuesday what is happening one way or the other,” he said.

Williams will be chairing a meeting on Tuesday when the club’s fate should be clearer and the position of manager Chris Humphrey will be under discussion.

Two surprise back-to-back victories against leaders Consett and Whickham had given Penrith a chance of avoiding the drop but a 1-0 defeat at West Auckland and yesterday’s 4-1 home loss to Seaham confirmed they will finish next to bottom.

Well actually they are level on points with Bishop Auckland who still have one game left to play at home to Guisborough on Tuesday but the goal difference is heavily against the Cumbrians.

Bishops would need to lose 15-0 against Guisborough for Penrith to go above them in the table.

Seaham had started on the front foot at Frenchfields, taking the lead on six minutes through Louis Anderson. Joseph Hailes doubled their lead after 33 minutes.

In the second half Adam Lennox (62) and Anderson (70) pushed Seaham clear before the manager Humphrey pulled one back for his side on 72 minutes.

A miserable day for the Bonny Blues was compounded on 78 minutes when long-serving skipper Grant Davidson was sent off.