Wearside League: West End strike late against Hartlepool to maintain top spot

Sunderland West End hold a minute's applause in memory of honorary president Arthur Bond on Saturday.

Anthony Ross kept up his impressive goalscoring form by hitting the opener on 10 minutes, with a shot from outside the box.

The Ford Quarry men retained the lead at half-time. Ten minutes into the second half, though, Pool equalised when Dean Cope fired home.

West End showed their character to come on strong in the closing 15 minutes to secure all three points.

They regained the lead through Kevin Gordon on 75 minutes, and Ross scored an excellent second goal, after great work from Gordon, firing past goalkeeper Elliot Coils.

West End joint manager Anthony Nelson said: “I couldn’t fault the players one bit.

“Their attitude and reaction after the disappointing late goal, in the 2-2 draw at Boldon CA in midweek, was excellent and we played really well.”

City neighbours Silksworth CW, though, went down 2-1 at home to Boldon CA.

The visitors’ win kept them third, level on points with West End and Redcar Athletic.

Boldon took an early lead, after just five minutes, when Jonathan Matthews cut in from the right and rifled the ball into the bottom corner, past goalkeeper Joe Clayton.

Michael Young scored the visitors’ second following a corner on 75 minutes. Although Silksworth’s Adam Storey finished a cross at the far post to pull one back, with five minutes remaining, Boldon held on to pick up the crucial three points.

Coxhoe Athletic were comfortable 2-0 home winners over Leam Rangers.

Peter Brown headed them in front after a quarter of an hour and Aarron Forrest doubled their lead on the hour, with a right-foot shot past goalkeeper James Lone.

Second-bottom Prudhoe Town had midfielder Lee Garwood sent off after just 15 minutes, but they held out for a goalless draw at home to Harton and Westoe CW, who are just four places above them in the league.

Redcar Athletic remain second, on goal difference, after a 5-0 success against Annfield Plain at Derwent Park.

Goals from David Abel, Adam Preston, Jordan Rivis, Jack Simpson and Bryan Stewart did the damage.

Wolviston moved up to sixth place following a 3-0 home win over bottom club Windscale.

Junior Masandi, Stuart Bath and Nathan Bayes were all on the scoresheet.

Cleator Moor Celtic saw off visitors Richmond Town by the same score, with Tom Mahone and two-goal Callum Birdsall on target.

Darlington Reserves climbed to fifth place after a 5-0 drubbing of Stokesley SC, taking their three-match goal tally to 18.

Nathan Stephenson fired a double, both set cup by Dale Milburn, with Joey Beauchamp adding a brace and Jonny Hope completing the scoring.