NELSON HAILS WEST END’S IMPRESSIVE CUP SUCCESS
TWR BIFOLDS WEARSIDE LEAGUE: STAR BUTLER AT THE DOUBLE TO INSPIRE FORD QUARRY TRIUMPH
Sunderland West End knocked league leaders Cleator Moor Celtic out of the Monkwearmouth Charity Cup in style on Saturday, running out deserved 3-1 winners.
After a slow start to the match, the game at Ford Quarry burst into life when West End were awarded a 40th minute penalty.
Brad Wilson failed to score from the spot, but John Butler was on hand and followed up on the rebound to put the Wearsiders on top.
The Cumbrians were level by the break, though, as a good team move was finished off by a powerful Darren Johnston header.
In the second half, Butler scored his second to put West End back in front when he neatly beat his defender and sidefooted home and they added a vital third goal on the hour, courtesy of Bryan Norton’s header.
Joint manag- er Anthony Nelson, whose side reached the final last year, said: “Obviously we are pleased to go through to the next round with a superb result against a top team, who are a pleasure to watch at times.
“We were carrying a few injuries today and had to utilise the squad and the players that came in, did ever so well.
“We have played Cleator Moor three times this season now and won two of those games, and on the day we are a match for anybody.
“I personally think we can catch them up in the league as well, if we maintain our attitude that was shown on Saturday and more consistency in our play.”
Silksworth CW edged through, beating visitors Hartlepool 3-2 in an entertaining tie.
After a goalless first half, the game burst into life in the 47th minute, when Silksworth took the lead through Brandon Alderson. Eight minutes later, Jonathan Hodgson doubled their lead.
Mike Snowdon pulled one back for the visitors after 70 minutes, but, five minutes before the end, David Stevens restored Silksworth’s two-goal advantage.
Although Pool scored again in the closing seconds, through Jamie Tumilty, Silksworth held on for the win.
Hebburn Town Reserves lost 4-0 to fellow high-fliers Redcar Athletic. Chris Bivens shot the Teessiders into a fifth-minute lead and they went 2-0 up after 27 minutes, courtesy of Bryan Stewart’s penalty.
Redcar soon went 3-0 up, with Stuart Brown’s closerange header. Adam Preston completed the scoring on 88 minutes when he fired a 25-yarder into the top righthand corner of the net.
South Shields Reserves were beaten 3-1 by visitors Annfield Plain.
Plain just needed two minutes to make the breakthrough, with Kai Hewitson capitalising on a loose pass to fire past keeper Jack Ramage.
Plain doubled their lead on 28 minutes when a long ball from goalkeeper Michael Allan was well controlled by Hewitson, who slotted home.
Hewitson completed his hat-trick in style on the stroke of half-time, volleying home a cross from the right.
Shields managed a late consolation, with Graham Stephenson heading home.
Leam Rangers’ tie at home to Prudhoe Town was postponed.
There were only two league matches played.
Fourth-placed Boldon CA moved within three points of third-top Redcar Athletic thanks to a resounding 6-0 success at Stokesley SC.
Boldon took the lead on 31 minutes, when Frankie Hucks opened the scoring, and they ran riot in the second half, hitting five further goals as Tom West, Shaun Graham, Daniel Dunbar and a brace from striker Adam Bell saw off the hosts.
Wolviston climbed to sixth, following a 4-2 win at Darlington Reserves.
Philip Otele’s impressive overhead bicycle kick put Wolviston ahead on 17 minutes, and Tony Johnson broke clear to beat keeper Joseph Forbes for 2-0.
James Beauchamp cut the deficit with a 39th-minute penalty, after Kehi Daon was brought down, but Wolviston regained their two-goal cushion,whenMarkLilleyheaded home a corner.