Slick Colliery’s six of the best eases relegation fears
Murton Colliery regained winning ways to boost their survival chances in the Premier Division, finishing 6-3 victors at bottom club Seaham The George.
Two goals apiece from man of the match Liam Appleby and Ryan Pinder did the damage, supported by a brace from sub Martyn Brown. George, with just two points picked up, are seven points adrift and only have three games left.
Shotton Comrades claimed an excellent 2-0 victory at Easington CIU, despite the dismissal of Tony Hewitt. Goals from Scott Danks and Connor Lawson did the damage, with Michael Johnson best for CIU.
Substitute Adam Hepple snatched a hat-trick to help leaders Dawdon Welfare Park maintain their search for a second successive title.
Kyle Bell (2) and Andrew Beer also notched as Dawdon demolished third-top Peterlee Catholic Club 6-0 with ruthless efficiency.
Thomas Price shone for Dawdon, while Jake Slater stood out for Catholic.
Seaham Parkside continued their Second Division promotion push by beating Hetton Fox and Hounds 4-0.
Kevin Price’s clinical hattrick led the way for Parkside, supported by a strike from Michael Kennedy.
Andrew McGhin stood out for Parkside, who, with only two league games to play, are five points clear of second-top Horden Cricket Club, albeit having played two matches more.
Parkside, with 10 wins in their 16 games so far, are very close to promotion.
New Seaham Westlea enjoyed efforts from Brennan Yuill and Glen Francis as they grafted for a 2-1 victory away to Peterlee Hearts to move up to fourth-bottom spot, with Josh Elliott their man of the match. Carl Winstanley hit Hearts’ reply.
Acre Rigg SC, fourth with games in hand, kept up their promption bid by convincingly hammering thirdplaced Haswell Oddfellows.
Graham Hornsby’s double inspired a 6-0 success, with Matty Pattinson, Chris Collings, Jamie Richardson and Ross Stephenson also getting in on the act.
Easington Lane WMC stepped up their push for First Division promotion charge with a ruthless rout of Murton New Hesledon.
Lane routed the Murton side 15-2 to make it six wins from eight league games. With six games in hand, they are only 10 points outside the top two and must stand an excellent chance of going up.
Star man John Purvis, Jai Young and substitute Craig Patterson all notched hattricks, while Chris Hughes fired home a brace. Kevin Wear, Steve Ashman, Callum Jefferson and Anthony Lowerson also netted.
The heavy defeat leaves New Hesledon in deep trouble, with just six points on the board. They are 11 points adrift of safety and have just five games to go.
Wingate Grange had relegation confirmed by a 4-1 defeat to promotion-seeking Easington Welfare.
Michael Lee scored in vain for Grange asAndrew Cook, Tom Laws, Jake Metcalf and sub James Pittam all notched for Welfare.
The top two clubs, Peterlee Oaklands and Easington Southside, both picked up another three points in their bid to reach the top flight.
Leaders Peterlee Oaklands outgunned hosts Seaham Marlborough 3-1 thanks to Liam Atchison (2) and Karl Arkwright. Tom Johnson stood out for Marlborough, whose consolation was scored by Ryan Martin.
Southside, meanwhile, saw off South Hetton Cricket 3-0, thanks to John and Adam Brown, and Luke Barnes.
Two Dave Cummings goals and a Jake Devine strike paved the way for Wingate Plough Inn to beat Hetton Social Club 3-1, ending the home side’s slim promotion ambitions. Jack Hart starred for Plough.
Horden CW Supporters Club put up a valiant performance in their Durham County Sunday Cup quarterfinal, only to succumb 2-0 at Jarrow Robin Hood Perth Green. Jack Pounder was Horden’s star performer.
One consolation for the Supporters Club is that they will be exempt until the first round proper next season, missing out on the three qualifying rounds.
With the league programme well on schedule, officials have decided to give teams a two-week break.
Only clubs behind in their schedules will play over the next two weekends, with just two games set for Sunday.