Northern League Division One
Seaham Red Star reveal in a convincing 7-3 Division One victory over bottom club Billingham Synthonia.
Seaham raced into a 2-0 lead at the Ferguson Motor Repairs Stadium through Lee Hetherington’s terrific second-minute free-kick and Robbie Bird’s strike on 16 minutes.
Although Synners reduced the deficit through Ashley Woodier, two goals either side of half-time by Liam McBryde, sandwiched by an Ash Davis strike, made it 5-1.
Synners rallied with two goals in eight minutes, through Liam Travers and Woodier.
However, Red Star finished strongly, with McBryde completing his hat-trick and Thomas Scott completed the scoring.
Manager Chris McCabe said: “It was a great win in terrible weather conditions, but we played really well and scored some nice goals.
“It was nice to get another win, albeit we conceded three goals, but we need to show more consistency.
“The season is around a third through now and, to be honest, we would have taken ninth at this stage. We need to be more consistent and perhaps we could finish in the top six.”
Lowly Washington put up an excellent fight in going down 2-1 at home, to leaders Morpeth Town.
Defeat left the Mechanics six points from safety, and Morpeth eight clear at the top, but boss James Clark must have been impressed by his side’s desire.
Centre-back Chris Reid gave Morpeth a 21st-minute lead, finishing off Liam Henderson’s cross from close range.
Keeper Dan Gladstone impressed for the hosts with a series of good saves. Washington started the second half strongly and should have levelled, only for Sam Grieveson to fire wide from Cameron Wilson’s brilliant pass. Morpeth doubled their lead on 68 minutes, when luckless defender Michael Laws put through his own net, desperately trying to clear a dangerous Sean Taylor cross from the right. Washington kept fighting and were rewarded with a stoppage time diving header from Laws to cut the deficit to 2-1. Sunderland RCA secured an impressive 5-2 victory at Jarrow Roofing and moved eighth. They had to show character, though, as Roofing took a fifth-minute lead when Oliver Martin smashed an effort past goalkeeper Neal Bussey.
RCA turned it around within seven minutes, when Nathan O’Neill netted from Stephen Callen’s cross and Jonny Davis then finishing clinically past keeper Daniel Regan.
Dennis Knight made it 2-2 from the penalty spot, but RCA clicked in the closing stages, with three goals in the final five minutes clinching the points.
Colin Larkin put RCA in front again with five minutes left, tapping in after great work from O’Neill. Two minutes later, Dylan Elliott made the game safe and O’Neill added a last-gasp fifth in the dying seconds.