Over-40s League: Ryhope Foresters on the up with a cracking week's work

First up, they were only denied a brilliant win over leaders Marden by a last-gasp equaliser in a 2-2 draw.

Then, in midweek, Foresters enjoyed a comprehensive 3-0 victory at lacklustre Penshaw Catholic Club.

Jon Cullen made the breathrough, firing a fierce shot into the corner from the edge of the box.

The second goal came from an incisive right-wing attack, with Marcus Turnbull converting the cross.

Ryhope made it three from the penalty spot after a disputed award when a last-gasp tackle was adjudged to have been late and inside the box.

Redhouse WMC held title-chasing Hartlepool Workies to a 2-2 draw, coming from two down.

Mick Waller’s stunning 40-yarder gave Workies the lead. Redhouse got one back early in the second half, then levelled with a 25-yarder 10 minutes from time.

In midweek, Easington CIU won an entertaining game 4-2 at relegation-threatened Hylton CW, following a 0-0 draw with Wallsend Community.

Dormans won the first silverware of the season, beating South Shields 2-1 in the First Division’s Alan Spedding Cup final at Wearmouth CW.

The Teessiders broke to open the scoring, with Paul Leonard finishing well.

The Shields defence went AWOL as Dormans doubled the lead on another breakaway, as Neil Campbell tapped in.

Shields rallied late on and reduced the deficit with an excellent Scott Oliver goal.

Lee Adamson was man of the match.

Grindon Broadway were crushed 6-1 at Sherburn Village in Division One to slip to sixth place, while Seaham Marlborough, in third, lost 3-0 to fifth-top Wallsend Boys Club.

Plains Farm Alldec suffered two defeats in Division Two to drop to 12th place in the 16-team division.

They went down 3-1 at Newcastle East End, then lost 3-0 to Coxhoe Red Lion.

They are in Ironside Cup final action at Wearmouth CW tomorrow, taking on South Shields Catholic Club (10.30am kick-off).

Third-bottom Peterlee Helford United maintained their late surge with a thrilling 6-4 defeat of Stanley, while Dubmire are eighth after edging out North Shields Pineapple 2-1.

Houghton Cricket Club won their relegation battle against The Philadelphia in Division Three.

After an even first half ended goalless, Forster scored in a goalmouth scramble to put Houghton in front, then doubled the lead five minutes later.

Daglish completed the deal for Houghton, who are now fifth-bottom, with Phili in second-bottom.

Willow Pond boosted their survival push with a hard-fought 2-1 success at Washington JFC Biddick Inn.

Les Goodliffe shot just wide as Biddick started well, then Willow’s Gary Golightly blazed over when he looked certain to score.

Willow forged ahead when David Kelly’s one-two with Kit Tipling set Matt Barton away and his cross was converted clinically by Golightly.

Barton hit the bar after great work from David ‘Boss’ Laws on the left wing, before a second goal came in the second half, against the run of play.

Golightly collected the ball and ran, dummying a square ball to Kit Tipling to hit a low shot from distance which wrongfooted Halliday to make it 2-0.

Ray Robson shot wide as Biddick responded, before they were awarded a penalty for a push in the box. Andy Liddell’s effort was saved by Tilbury, but encroachment forced a retake and Liddell this time sent the keeper the wrong way for 2-1.

Gary Barker, Paul Holly and Stuart Hope helped to stem the flow of Biddick attacks, with Norman slicing a clearance wide of his own goal before the final whistle went.

Ivy Legends maintained fourth place with a 4-1 derby triumph against Rolls-Royce, who also lost in midweek, 3-2 at home to Durham County Strollers.

Pennywell Comrades won 1-0 at Shildon in Division Four, while Pennywell Vets upset Hedworthfield Red Hackle 5-3 before losing 3-2 at Wearmouth Old Boys in midweek.

Doxy Lad climbed off the bottom after winning 2-0 at Trimdon Vets and drawing 0-0 with Gateshead Redheugh. Wearmouth beat Redheugh 1-0.