FOUR-GOAL ROLLS HOLD ON AS LEGENDS RALLY
FINE WHITE BRACE SETS UP ROLLS-ROYCE FOR CITY DERBY TRIUMPH AGAINST IVY RIVALS
Rolls-Royce had to hold on to clinch a 4-2 Third Division derby success against Ivy Legends.
They led at the break, thanks to Davy White’s goal from Agnew’s slide rule pass.
Rolls dominated the next 30 minutes, adding three more goals. White scored the second after good play from Anderson and Smith.
Gary Anderson made it 3-0 with a right-foot strike that gave the keeper no chance, then Davy Watson converted a back-post header from a corner.
Rolls then went to sleep and Ivy capitalised to net twice, through Alan Neale and Garry Lindsay, to ensure a nervy finish for the hosts.
Willow Pond dropped from top spot to third despite rallying to snatch a 3-3 draw against Hartlepool Vets.
Hartlepool took a deserved lead from a long clearance, with Michael Angus netting first-time from distance, the ball deflecting off a defender to sneak in at the near post.
Willow star man David Laws showed quality and intelligence with his passing, and he was instrumental in the equaliser, setting up Ronald Bulmer, whose quality cross saw Gary Golightly score with a downward header.
Pond were ahead when left-back Stuart Hope’s high looping cross beat the keeper, but Graeme MacKenzie levelled, firing low past sub keeper Matt Gartland.
Dean Cartwright made it 3-2 to Vets after a poor clearance by Bulmer, but Willow fought hard and, after Brian Adamson hit the bar with a header, they levelled when Kit Tipling powerfully headed home a Bulmer free-kick.
Houghton Cricket Club lost 1-0 at Durham County Strollers, who enjoyed their first win, while Washington JFC Biddick Inn top the table after a 3-2 defeat of Roseberry Grange, ahead of Billingham Vets on goal difference.
The Philadelphia were walloped 7-1 by rampant Redcar Old Boys, securing a first victory.
Washington Victoria Inn and Heaton Stannington produced a great advert for Over-40s football in a tight 1-1 Premier Division draw.
Victoria started well and should have been 2-0 up in 10 minutes, denied by a fine Simon Reay save and a Mark Robson miss.
Heaton took the lead through the prolific Steve Preeney finishing off a good move. He nearly added a second but Andy Maddocks tipped his shot over the bar. Victoria, though, hit back quickly and when star man Phil Sowerby was brought down by Jon Sunderland, Andy Lumsden equalised from the penalty spot. Both teams applauded referee Brian Southern, who turned up with a calf injury but still managed to hobble round and complete the game.
Ryhope Foresters moved into seventh place with their second win, 4-2 in an entertaining city derby at Redhouse WMC.
Hylton CW are fifth-bottom following a 3-0 defeat at second-top Hartlepool Workies, who went ahead with a bullet header and added a killer second goal right after half-time.
Leaders Marden made it five wins out of five with a 4-0 success at Easington CIU, while Penshaw Catholic Club shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw at home to Wearmouth CW.
Grindon Broadway sit second in Division One after a 2-0 victory, their fourth in a row, at pointless Consett, while Sherburn Village slipped to third after their 2-2 draw at South Shields.
Seaham Marlborough thumped Thornley Celtic 5-0 to go fourth.
In Division Two, Plains Farm Alldec were outgunned 5-1 by new leaders Richmond Town, while Mill View drew 3-3 at home to South Shields Catholic Club. Peterlee Helford lost 5-3 in a thriller at Coxhoe Red Lion.
Pennywell Comrades proved too strong for Pennywell Vets in their 5-1 Fourth Division derby triumph, a first win of the campaign.
Doxy Lad lost 2-0 at Shildon, while Boldon Colliery Tavern were pipped 4-3 at Sedgefield and Wearmouth Old Boys lost 1-0 to Hedworthfield Red Hackle.