RED STAR BOOST, DESPITE LAST-GASP SPOT AGONY
EBAC NORTHERN LEAGUE: SEAHAM EDGE FIVE POINTS ABOVE DROP ZONE, WITH THREE GAMES TO PLAY
Seaham Red Star climbed two places to 17th in Division One on Saturday, but they are not out of the woods yet in the fight for survival.
A 1-1 draw with Dunston UTS lifted them five points clear of third-bottom Jarrow Roofing, who, like Star, have three games to play. But it could have been so much better for Craig Lynch’s men.
In an evenly contested duel, all the action came in a dramatic final few minutes.
Sub Thomas Scott gave Seaham the lead in fantastic style, with just four minutes left, when he brilliantly lifted a memorable 25-yarder over keeper Niall Harrison and into the net.
Incredibly, Dunston were level within a minute as a fired-up visiting side responded rapidly, with sub Liam Marrs heading home a left-wing cross at the back post.
But there was more drama deep in stoppage time, with Red Star awarded a penalty for a challenge on the edge of the box.
Sub Ash Davis, whose pace caused Dunston problems throughout the second half, stepped up calmly, but his well-hit effort was brilliantly saved by Harrison, the ball being diverted onto his righthand post before agonisingly bouncing across goal to safety.
but agonisingly UTS equalised a minute later, when substitute Liam Marrs found the net. The home side were then given a last minute penalty, but goalkeeper Niall Harrison saved Ash Davis’s spot kick.
Seaham are at home to Wembley-bound Stockton Town tomorrow.
Ryhope CW completed a double against lowly Bishop Auckland with a second 3-1 victory, keeping alive hopes of a potential top-10 finish.
Bishops did take the lead through Michael Hoganson’s direct free -kick, which flew under the wall and into the bottom corner of Jonny Ball’s net. But a Michael Rae brace turned the game around for Ryhope. He smashed home an equaliser from 15 yards into the bottom corner of the Bishops’ net on 24 minutes and then finished neatly, in off the post, just before half-time. James Ellis made the game safe at 3-1 when he scored from close range, in the 79th minute, following an inch-perfect ball from Matty Weirs. Ryhope assistant manager Stuart Gooden said: “After a couple of poor performances in the past week, this was a great response from the lads.
“We got off to a poor start, with Bishops taking the lead, but we equalised and then went ahead and I knew then we would win the points.
“We thoroughly deserved the 3-1 win and we are absolutely delighted.”
Ryhope have two attractive home midweek matches, against West Auckland tonight and Shildon on Thursday.
Sunderland RCA comfortably beat Guisborough Town 3-0, boosting their bid to claim a top-four finish.
Dylan Elliott gave the hosts a sixth-minute breakthrough when he scored direct from a free-kick.
Michael Charlton made it 2-0 after 31 minutes, when he headed home a Stephen Callen cross from close range.
Brian Close was sent off for the Priorymen, five minutes into the second half, and RCA capitalised on their man advantage to wrap up victory with a third goal, scored by Jonny Davis in the 68th minute, shortly after getting off the bench.
RCA, a point behind fourth-top Shildon, have a busy week to end their campaign.
They host Bishop Auckland tonight and visit Newton Aycliffe on Wednesday before finishing up at home to Jarrow Roofing on Thursday night. West Auckland, in third place, thrashed Whitley Bay 5-0 at home.
A brace from Mark Doninger was backed by Dan Parker, Amar Purewal and Anthony Bell in an emphatic win.
Consett, fresh from lifting the Durham Challenge Cup, lost 1-0 at Newton Aycliffe.
The Steelmen were caught sleeping as a left-wing cross found Craig Hutchinson. His effort was well saved by Kyle Hayes, but the ex-Billingham Town man converted the rebound from close range.
Shildon gave away a twogoal lead in a 4-2 loss to Newcastle Benfield. Dan Groves and Billy Greulich-Smith, both scored inside 10 minutes, but Jake Orrell, Paul Brayson and Scott McCarthy netted three goals in six minutes to turn it around, with McCarthy adding a fourth in the last minute.
Marske United kept up their title push with a 6-1 demolition of relegated Billingham Synthonia, after trailing to Ryan Braithwaite’s strike.
Marske rallied through Andrew Stephenson, Michael Roberts, Curtis Round, Danny Earl, James Fairley and Adam Wheatley.
Ashington comfortably outgunned North Shields 4-0 in their final match. A hattrick from Tony Stephenson was the highlight, with Damien Stevens adding the fourth.