Sunderland Sunday League: Southwick pip title rivals Victoria Gardens in semi-final shoot-out

Gardens had the final spot in their sights after overturning an early setback as Southwick came out all guns blazing.

Vics defended well, but Michael Coghlan broke the deadlock, finishing a fine Southwick move.

In the second half, Vics dominated in spells and replied when Callum Hope’s deft free-kick found Paul Wardle, who nodded the equaliser.

Vics pressed and got a deserved second goal from the spot, after Hope was fouled. The impressive Kevin Humble calmly stroked home to silence the home fans.

Late on, though, Southwick legend Anth Ross picked the ball up on the left and, after beating his man, his shot nestled nicely in the top corner of Ryan Graham’s net.

The game ended 2-2, with the Suddickers progressing 6-5 in sudden death in the shoot-out. Hope and Alan Golighty missed for Vics, Brad Forster for Southwick.

Sunderland Railway Club and Ashbrooke Hendon battled it out in an entertaining 3-3 draw in Division One.

Railway are up to second spot, wit games in hand, in the fight to claim a Premier place next season.

Jake Baker, hot shot Dean Smith and Connor Glendenning notched for Railway, but Ashbrooke were equal to them and responded with efforts from star man Davey Newby and Keith Reay (2). Curtis Forster stood out for Railway.,

Washington Colliery were on the wrong end of a devastating 12-1 thrashing from youthful New Town.

Colliery’s solitary strike came from Michael Davison, while New Town had two hat-trick heroes, in Mark Mhlanga and Lewis Jopling.

Braces from Alex Dobinson and David Laidler added to the tally, with Lewis Holland and Elliott Salicki also notching.

Port of Call signed off their season with another win, 3-1 against Oddies, who can’t wait for the season to end.

Daz Green hit his usual strike for Oddies but it was in vain as Port had Shaun Fletcher, Michael Hackett and Jordan Dagg to thank for the win. Kyran Whitehead starred, with keeper Keiran Fleming best for Oddies.

Neal Bussey was in fine form between the sticks for Jolly Potters.

But he could not stop Neil McNulty scoring an absolute peach to win the game 1-0, lifting Redhouse Last Orders into third place. David Hicks shone for Redhouse.

In midweek, champions Ryhope Top House won 3-2 at Jolly Potters, thanks to Elliot Tench, Harry Monday and Ryan March, with Paul Werbster and Ryan Bussey replying.

Railway Club won 4-2 at Oddies before losing 1-0 to Redhouse Last Orders, when David Hicks struck.

Whitburn Panthers can’t wait for their Fourth Division season to be over, after shipping another hatful of goals to The Grange.

It finished 14-2 and Panthers were happy to hit the net twice, courtesy of Conor Wadey’s brace.

Grange found the net for fun, though. There were hat-tricks galore as Adam Glendenning, Jamie Perry and Mark Wright all bagged trebles, with Mark Atchison (2), Mark Sanderson (2) and Jamie Hounslow also netting.

Mark Smith and Dylan Phipps tried their best to upset Washington Juniors Teal Farm with their goals for Washington Juniors Blue Bell, but the self-proclaimed “best team in Washington” swept them aside to finish as 5-2 winners.

Teal Farm also won 3-2 at Witherwack on Thursday.