West End ease to Wearside League win, while Chester-le-Street clinch cup semi-final place

Sunderland West End consolidated fifth place in the TWR Bifolds Wearside League thanks to a comfortable 2-0 win at Harton and Westoe CW last night.
Conor Newton hits home Hartlepool United's equaliser in last night's vital 2-1 National League Premier Division win at Barrow. Picture by Steve Flynn/AHPIX.comConor Newton hits home Hartlepool United's equaliser in last night's vital 2-1 National League Premier Division win at Barrow. Picture by Steve Flynn/AHPIX.com
Conor Newton hits home Hartlepool United's equaliser in last night's vital 2-1 National League Premier Division win at Barrow. Picture by Steve Flynn/AHPIX.com

The Ford Quarry men made a dream start when Lee Smith fired home after just six minutes.

A minute before half-time, West End doubled their lead when Brad Foster scored from the penalty spot, and they saw the rest of the game out comfortably.

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Chester-le-Street cruised into the semi-finals of the Northern League’s Ernest Armstrong Memorial Cup with a 3-0 success at West Allotment Celtic .

The Cestrians effectively won the game within the first 22 minutes, as goals from Kieran Megran, Daniel McGuire and Alex White put them into a three-goal lead, and there was no way back for the home side.

Second Division Willington put up a good show in going down 4-1 at First Division leaders Morpeth Town in the third round of the Brooks Mileson Memorial League Cup.

Joe Walton’s 18th-minute penalty, after he was felled in the box, had Morpeth ahead, and Wayne Phillips did well in the box to double the lead.

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Willington responded two minutes before half time, when Jeff Smith pulled a goal back.

But Morpeth restored their two-goal advantage, when Walton netted at the back post, then Mark Davison hit a fourth from close range on 73 minutes.

In the same competition, Bishop Auckland won 2-1 at Penrith to reach the semi-finals.

Bishops went behind to a Jonny Murray effort in the 33rd minute. But Michael Hoganson’s direct free-kick levelled it up in the second half and Luke Sullivan converted a penalty winner, following a handball offence in the box.

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In the Ebac Northern League’s First Division, Shildon beat Whitley Bay 2-1.

The Railwaymen went ahead, as Adam Gell’s shot deflected past keeper Tom Flynn, but Thomas Potter beat home keeper Nick Liversedge to level.

A hapless own goal by Rhys Groves ensured the win for Shildon.

North Shields drew 2-2 with Newton Aycliffe in an entertaining affair.

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Kurt Matthews fired into the bottom left corner for Aycliffe’s 26th-minute opener, but Craig McFarlane equalised a minute later.

Marc Costello restored the visitors’ lead on the hour mark, only for Ben Harmison to level on 74 minutes.

In Division Two, bottom club Alnwick Town won 2-0 at Ryton & Crawcrook Albion. Phillip Bright drove in a long-range opener, then Ryan Douglas smashed home a late second.

Crook Town were potentially denied three crucial points in their fight to stay away from the foot of Division Two.

Away at in-form Thornaby, Crook took a 41st minute lead through Christian Holliday, but the match was abandoned after 47 minutes, due to a floodlight failure.