Northern League: RCA, Washington seal cup progress in contrasting fashion

Martin Swales’ RCA men enjoyed a 5-1 thrashing of Esh Winning, while Washington, struggling in second-bottom spot in the Ebac Northern League’s First Division, had to scrap to beat Brandon United 1-0.

RCA were three up inside a quarter of an hour as Stephen Callen, Forster and Keiron Martin, with Forster making it 4-0 on 22 minutes.

Esh replied just on half-time, but RCA had the last word, with John Butler on target on 66 minutes.

Washington left it late to score the crucial goal against battling Brandon, Marc Costello pouncing from six yards for Neil Hixon’s side after a clever Andrew Jennings header back across the box.

Willington succumbed 4-2 to visitors Penrith.

Kevin Connolly scored twice in the first 10 minutes to give Penrith the ideal start, and Martyn Coleman made it three with a 14-yard shot.

Willington were much better in the second half. Graham Stephenson scored in the 55th minute, and Jason Brazauskas netted from the spot to make it 3-2. However, Grant Davidson headed Penrith’s clincher late on.

Hebburn Town edged past Thornaby 4-2 on penalties after a 2-2 draw.

Hebburn twice took the lead in normal time, with Alan Pegram and Smith netting, before Lee Burrell was their hero, saving two penalties in the shoot-out.

Ashington won 2-1 at Billingham Synthonia, who led with Danny Brunskill’s strike from an acute angle.

Kyle Downey (penalty) and Craig Scott turned the tie around in the second half.

Newcastle Benfield cruised through with a 5-1 win at West Allotment Celtic, with Paul Brayson grabbing four of the five goals

Matty Cornish hit the opener, while West pulled one back at 2-1 with a Dale Pearson penalty three minutes before half-time.

Bedlington Terriers won 2-1 at Ryton and Crawcrook, thanks to Jack Foalle’s brace after Liam Anderson had given Ryton the lead.

In league action, Ryhope CW endured a night to forget as Morpeth Town romped to a 7-1 win to keep in touch with the Division One high-fliers.

However, Gary Pearson’s men took the lead after 12 minutes when Chris Bell tapped home after an initial Ryhope shot hit the post. Bell then forced the home keeper into a good save.

Town replied with two in two minutes as Sean Taylor converted from the spot and Joe Walton’s shot found the bottom corner. Walton scored his second after 50 minutes and then he turned provider for Taylor to make it 4-1 three minutes later.

Chris Reid and Keith Graydon extended the lead, before ex-Sunderland reserve Taylor grabbed his hat-trick late on when he neatly flicked the ball into the bottom corner.

North Shields smashed Guisborough Town 6-0 to stay clear at the top.

Four goals in the first half, from Gareth Bainbridge, Adam Forster, Robert Taylor and Lee Mason, had the Priorymen in trouble. Ryan Carr and Mason, with his second, completed the rout.

South Shields kept up the pressure on North Shields when they won 1-0 at champions Shildon to stay five points behind.

Shildon had Jamie Harwood sent off for a second bookable offence in the 53rd minute, and Shields capitalised, with sub Andrew Stephenson’s perfect through ball being finished off, from close range, by striker Gavin Cogdon.

Shildon had Daniel “Bobby” Moore red-carded after the final whistle.