Wearside League: Brilliant Belford pick up Christmas cracker of a win against title chasers

by Steve Clarke

Ashbrooke Belford House claimed a magnificent win, inflicting only a second defeat on championship-chasing visitors Jarrow.

Adam Campbell, who was making his debut, gave Ashbrooke the breakthrough on 65 minutes, and Callum Charlton made it 2-0, five minutes from time, when his shot found the bottom corner to seal a brilliant win.

Jarrow boss Dave Bell said: “It was a disappointing result and performance in a game where we never really got going in.

“That said, we had a lot of possession in the final third, but our quality was unusually lacking and the chances that did come our way we did not take and we got punished for it.

“That is two league games in a row we have lost and only the second game this season when we have not scored.

“But I am confident we will get ourselves back on track. We have a break now, where the lads with injuries will have a chance to reset and recover.”

Ashbrooke Belford are up to ninth place in the table, with 10 wins in 20 games, while Jarrow remain behind leaders Richmond Town on goal difference and have now played one match more than their rivals.

South Shields Reserves were hammered 5-1 at Leam Rangers, with a Liam McVicar hat-trick doing most of the damage.

Anthony Hubbard and Matthew Frost were also on the scoresheet for the Hilltop club, while Olly Martin bagged Shields Reserves’ consolation goal.

Coxhoe Athletic were comfortable 4-0 winners at home to Darlington 1883 Reserves, inspired by a fine first-half hat-trick from Ross Morrow. Kyle Morris completed the scoring just after half-time.

Redcar Athletic sit in third place after getting the better of hosts Cleator Moor Celtic by the odd goal in three in Cumbria.

Adam Preston’s early opener and a Lance Skelton goal were enough to see the Teessiders home, despite a 78th minute effort from Luke Close.

Wolviston won all three points in their relegation battle against Windscale, finishing good 3-1 victors as a Junior Masandi hat-trick proved too much for the visiting Cumbrians.

Sunderland West End saw their dreams of TWR Shipowners Charity Cup success ended by a 3-1 second round defeat away to Boldon CA.

Boldon stormed into a 3-0 lead with goals from Josh Horton, Adam Bell and Jordan Carroll, before Matthew Halliday hit West End’s consolation goal.

Boldon can now look forward to a semi-final spot in the new year as they chase a first victory in the competition since 1988-89.

Harton and Westoe shrugged off their league troubles – just one win all season – to make progress in to the quarter-finals of the Monkwearmouth Charity Cup.

The bottom club sprang a surprise to defeat Annfield Plain 4-2. Nathan Baker put Plain ahead, but goals from Brody Simpson, Corey Fenwick and Daniel Sirrell turned the tie around to steer Harton 3-1 up.

Brian Wood gave the Derwent Park side hope with a second goal, but Harton made sure of progress when Fenwick’s second goal made it four.

The league now takes a break until the New Year. The first matches of 2017 will be played on January 7.