Silksworth sunk in eight-goal Wearside League thriller

Fortunes ebbed and flowed during an exciting 90 minutes before Prudhoe edged home 5-3.

James Cook gave the Wearsiders an early lead, but, by the 21st minute, Prudhoe were ahead through Adam Knowles and Kieron Russell.

An own goal by David Wansell levelled the scores and, early in the second period, Silksworth went ahead for a second time as Rob Hall fired home a tremendous shot from 30 yards.

But the home side’s 3-2 lead was erased as Prudhoe produced a storming late rally.

Nicky Smith restored parity and further goals by Rick Waters and Aaron Fletcher saw the visitors finish 5-3 winners.

There was mixed news for Ryhope CW and Chester-le-Street who are competing with Billingham Synthonia and Team Northumbria for the two remaining promotion places in the Ebac Northern League Second Division.

Synners thrashed Stokesley SC 7-0 as the goals rained in from Sam Garvie, with a brace, James Taylor, Macaulay Langstaff, Tony Wood (own goal), Chris Dickinson and Jason Blackburn.

The Teessiders are now only a point behind the Cestrians and two adrift of Ryhope, but they have played more games than their rivals.

Team Northumbria, meanwhile, conceded two crucial points at Ryton and Crawcrook Albion, who led courtesy of Sam Moore before Liam McNamara levelled.

In the only other game to go ahead, Thornaby defeated Willington at Hall Lane with a second-half strike from Gary Mitchell, who finished clinically from a tight angle past goalkeeper Jack Patton.

Following their defeat, Stokesley SC, at the foot of the table for much of the season, will end in the bottom two and could be relegated.