Sunderland West End keep up Wearside League momentum with comfortable victory

The Ford Quarry men needed just six minutes to make the breakthrough, when Lee Smith drove home a long-range shot.

Shields stayed in the game until West End doubled their lead on 64 minutes, when prolific marksman Anthony Ross pounced from close range.

Keiron Martin capped off a great evening for the visitors, scrambling home a third goal in the 89th minute to complete their 10th league victory of the season.

Shields ended the game with nine men after Ali Aleagha and Jake McDermott were both sent off late on.

West End are now nine points behind leaders Hebburn Town Reserves, with three matches in hand.

Crook Town succumbed to a 4-1 defeat at home to Blyth in their Ernest Armstrong Memorial Cup first round tie.

A tight first half ended with Blyth in front, thanks to Sam Norris’s 39th-minute strike.

John Parker slid in a second on 53 minutes, and Ryan McGorrigan slotted home for 3-0. Kyle Oliver added a fourth in the 79th minute before Chris Emms scored a late penalty consolation for Crook.

Shildon moved third in the Ebac Northern League First Division thanks to a convincing 4-0 win at Penrith.

The Railwaymen started brightly, and it was no surprise when Adam Burnicle fired a fifth-minute opener. Two minutes later, Billy Greulich-Smith doubled the lead.

Jack Blackford’s first goal for the club had Penrith three behind by the 20th minute, with Dan Grover hitting a fourth on 60 minutes.

Thornaby moved fifth in Division Two, after thumping Whickham 5-0.

Kyran Clark fired under keeper John Mordey for a first-minute opener, and he added a second, with Stephen Morrison, Matthew Robinson (penalty) and Kurtis Howes also on target.