Wearside League: West End keep up chase for runners-up spot

It is highly unlikely that Sunderland West End can prevent Stockton Town from claiming a fourth consecutive championship '“ but they have a good chance to finish runners-up.
Seaham Red Star Reserves (red and white) battle against Silksworth CW on SaturdaySeaham Red Star Reserves (red and white) battle against Silksworth CW on Saturday
Seaham Red Star Reserves (red and white) battle against Silksworth CW on Saturday

Following Saturday’s comfortable victory 4-1 victory away to Prudhoe Town, Anth Nelson’s side are now only six points behind second-top Redcar Athletic, with three games in hand.

Mark Catcheside converted a 45th-minute penalty for the Ford Quarry side, but, within seven minutes of the restart, Prudhoe were level through Derek Waters.

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West End finished strongly though and three late goals from Layton Chapman, George McCain and Keiron Martin earned them the points.

It hasn’t been a particularly easy baptism for Murton or Seaham Red Star Reserves, who joined the league at the beginning of the season.

Murton will be wooden spoonists and so far have taken just six points from 36 games.

They were close to making it seven at home to Boldon CA, who looked to have the points in the bag when they went three goals up courtesy of Dominic Mossa, Alex Kempster (pen) and Adam Bell.

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But Murton didn’t give up and, after Reece Benson reduced the arrears, they were in with a chance when Anthony Cowey closed the gap to a single goal. Boldon, however, managed to hold on for a 3-2 victory .

Wolviston, who were without a fixture, are second-bottom and Seaham are third from the basement following a four-goal defeat at the hands of Silksworth CW.

Robert Hall struck twice for the visitors in the opening half and it was all over for Red Star as Michael McVay and James Cook netted during the second 45 minutes.

Following a number of heavy defeats, Horden CW bounced back to form by defeating Ashbrooke Belford House at Grayfields in Hartlepool.

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Chris Tarn broke the deadlock on 49 minutes and, after Callum Charlton netted Ashbrooke’s equaliser, the Colliers built up a two-goal cushion through Dan Flounders and Darren Atkinson.

Ashbrooke again came back through Charlton, but the Silksworth-based side were unable to find an equaliser.

Jarrow and Spennymoor Town Reserves fought out a dull goalless draw at Perth Green, but there were plenty of goals at Whitehaven.

The Cumbrians managed four against Annfield Plain, with Greg Quayle and Craig Robson each scoring twice. The visitors failed to respond.

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Jonathan Murray (2) and Craig Wetherall eased Hartlepool to victory at Richmond Town, whose only reply was credited to Michael Elliott.

Stockton Town remain on course for a league and cup quadruple. Favourites to win the title, they have already lifted the Monkwearmouth Cup and progressed to the League Cup final, defeating Cleator Moor Celtic 3-1.

Adam Telfer notched for the Cumbrians, but the Teessiders had the better of the second half and Chris Stockton fired a matchwinning treble.

Stockton are also into the semi-finals of the Shipowners’ Cup, in which they will play Boldon CA.

Redcar Athletic reached the Shipowners’ Cup final, completing a season’s treble over Leam Rangers with a single Joel Callender strike.