Ryhope and Silksworth rise to cup’s Challenge
WEARSIDE DUO PROGRESS AFTER FINE VICTORIES
Ryhope CW overcame their injury woes to ease to a 4-1 win at Crook Town in the Preliminary Round of the Durham Challenge Cup.
Two goals in the opening ten minutes from striker Shaun Pickford gave Gary Pearson’s side the perfect start but the lead was halved when Andrew Lonsdale got Crook back into the game on 20 minutes.
Ryhope regained control of the game and two impressive finishes from James Ellis gave them a 4-1 lead at half-time.
Despite second-half chances for Pickford and Ellis, there were no further goals and Ryhope could reflect on an impressive night of work at Millfield.
In-form Wearside League club Silksworth CW impressed once again to send Northern League Division Two strugglers Brandon United out of the competition.
A Harry Monday brace and a goal from Adam Storey were enough to give Silksworth a night to remember as they came away from the Welfare Ground with a 3-0 win.
West Auckland Tunns produced three goals in the last ten minutes of the game as they came from behind to beat Harton and Westoe CW.
An Aaron Coulson strike and an own goal from Peter Allison seemed to put Harton in control but a Liam Bligh brace and goals from Will Preston and Rhys Porter gave the Tunns a 4-2 win on South Tyneside.
Wolviston moved back to the top of the Wearside League table with a 6-1 away win at Boldon CA.
First-half goals from Famara Jatta and Daniel Drazdauskas were added to by Phil Otele and Mike McGee braces after the restart ensured that goal difference separates their side and second-placed Hebburn Town Reserves.
Striker Ben Darville scored a hat-trick as Richmond Town fought off a late fightback to secure a 4-2 win at Windscale.
Consett continued their perfect start to the Northern League Division One season with a 4-3 win at Stockton Town.
The Steelmen were made to work for their sixth win of the season as they were severely tested by last season’s FA Vase finalists.
Fred Woodhouse put Stockton ahead midway through the first-half but a Michael Sweet goal just after the half-hour mark and Michael Mackay’s goal on the hour turned the game on its head.
Nathan Mulligan’s penalty got the Anchors back level but parity only lasted for three minutes as Sweet grabbed his second of the night.
Stockton skipper Adam Nicholson looked to have claimed a point for the hosts on 80 minutes but Aksel Juul’s stunning long-range strike in injury-time finally broke their resistance and moved Consett to the top of the Division One table ahead of the weekend’s games.