Sunderland Sunday League: Magnificent seven as Washington Arms rock Pennywell Comrades to lift Billy Pemberton Memorial Trophy

Lakeside (blue/black) take on Kings Arms (red) in last week's Jay McLaren Memorial Trophy final. Picture by Kevin Brady.

Washington raced into a 4-0 lead in the opening 20 minutes in Monday’s final at Wearmouth CW.

The opening goal was an excellent header by Lewis McGeoch, from 18 yards, after directing a searching free-kick into the top corner of the net.

McGeoch made it 2-0 soon after, when a scramble in the box fell kindly for him to smash home.

Man of the match Garry McCartney got in on the act as he ran Pennywell’s back four ragged to toepoke home Washington’s third goal.

The goal of the game came from the excellent McCartney as Comrades’ woes continued.

A long ball from the back wasn’t dealt with by the centre-half and, after a bounce, McCartney hit a dipping half-volley which effortlessly found the far top corner of the net to make it 4-0 to leave Pennywell shell-shocked.

Arms were not finished either.

It was soon five as Scott Danks finished another attack from the wing.

Pennywell needed a 5-0 deficit to kick-start themselves into playing and their first attack turned into a goal after Martin Kelly did well on the right and found Raeburn, who finished well inside the box, to pull a goal back.

It was a tighter second half, but Washington increased the lead when another dangerous attack forced an own goal from Carl Waters.

Washington’s attacking prowess saw Scott Smith nod home to make it 7-1.

Waters made amends for his own goal with a clinical penalty to reduce the deficit again, but Arms, already crowned as Fourth Division champions, finished convincing winners to complete a memorable double in a great debut season.

Ryhope Top House secured the First Division title in style, losing only one game.

They signed off for the season with a fine 2-0 victory away to Sunderland Railway Club, their 18th win in 22 league matches.

Harry Munday and Elliot Tench hit the Top House’s vital goals, with Richard Maughan outstanding in defence. Ricardo Cabezas stood out for Railway.

Redhouse Last Orders are gunning for the runners-up spot and they did their chances no harm with a dominant performance in a 7-2 rout of Washington Colliery.

Neil McNulty hit a clinical treble, followed by efforts from Anthony Mullen, Norman Newton, Gary Waddle and Paul Stokoe to win it for Redhouse.

Johnathan Roberts kept Washington interested with a brace, with Michael Davison their top performer.

In midweek, Sunderland Railway Club lost 1-0 at Port of Call and are now just a point ahead of Redhouse, though they have two games left to their rivals’ one.

The Second Division’s runners-up spot will be decided tomorrow when Pennywell Comrades take on The Park at the King George V playing fields.

The sides are level on points, but The Park have a superior goal difference, so Pennywell need to win to move above their visitors.

Washington New Tavern will seal a third-place finish in Division Three if they win their final match at home to Kings Arms tomorrow.

Victory would lift them above Ryhope, who have completed their programme. Kings Arms will seal a fifth-place finish if they win either of their final two games.

The Fourth Division concludes tomorrow, with Washington Arms hosting Washington Juniors Teal Farm, who are three points behind but have a hugely inferior goal difference.