RYHOPE EDGE AN EPIC
GARY PEARSON’S MEN HIT FOUR AT HOME AGAIN TO PIP NEWCASTLE BENFIELD IN A FIRST DIVISION THRILLER
Ryhope CW won a smashing First Division game 4-3 against Newcastle Benfield, maintaining their impressive run of home goals.
Benfield went in front after just five minutes, when Paul Bryson fired his shot past goalkeeper Jonny Ball, but Ryhope equalised two minutes later, when Kyle Davis gave visiting keeper Andrew Grainger no chance with his effort.
Bryson regained Benfield’s lead on 25 minutes, but Davis bagged his second to make it all square again 10 minutes later.
Gary Pearson’s men made it 3-2 just before half time, after experienced defender Leon Ryan’s header found the net, and they looked good for all three point when Callum Munro made it 4-2 in the 52nd minute.
Benfield did pull another goal back to make it 4-3, through John Campbell, but Ryhope held on for an excellent and entertaining win.
Washington were probably the happier team after a 0-0 draw at home to relegation rivals Guisborough Town, maintaining a ninepoint gap to the drop zone.
Washington’s Matthew Waters maybe could have done better in just the third minute, when he headed over from close range.
Late in the game, Jake Fowler had a great chance for the Mechanics, but his volley also went over the bar.
With a few minutes left, the Priorymen could have snatched all three points, but Michael Roberts effort from 30 yards went narrowly wide.
Bottom club Chester-leStreet lost their relegation crunch clash 1-0 at home to West Allotment Celtic.
Michael Hall’s 29thminute header proved enough for the visitors, who moved three points above Chester.
Chester-le-Street hit the post twice and dominated much of the game and Lee Mole missed a sitter from close range, while Dominic Laws got clean through in the second half only to fire wide.
Chester manager Colin Wake said: “We dominated the game from start to finish and gave away a poor goal.
“Although I am pleased with the performance, which was excellent, I am very disappointed with the result.”
Consett remain seventh, despite losing 3-1 at home to DunstonUTS,whoarenow15 points clear of trouble.
Striker Liam Thear gave UTS a second-minute lead, but Consett equalised when Luke Sullivan’s 40th-minute effort crawled over the line, beating goalkeeper Jack Norton.
Dunston regained the lead in the 49th minute, when Dale Burrell beat the offside trap and fired past Ben Cole. Warren Byrne tapped home a third with seven minutes to go.
South Shields outgunned West Auckland 5-0 to maintain their title push.
David Foley, in blistering form, opened the scoring after 30 minutes. Robert Briggs soon added a second, and Foley made it three from close range.
The ex-Hartlepool United forward added two more goals in the second half, to take his tally to four.
Leaders North Shields retained their 11-point advantage on South Shields, who have three games in hand, as Ryan Carr and Craig McFarlane secured a 2-1 win at Penrith.
Bishop Auckland lost 2-1 at Whitley Bay, after leading through Andre Bennett’s 29th-minute goal,
Andy Robertson levelled from close range, then Alex Kempster converted a Kyle Patton cross for the winner.