Hat-trick for Thexton as Durham suffer KO

Durham City’s troubles continued after they were dumped out of the Ernest Armstrong Memorial Cup by landlords Willington.

The Citizens fell behind inside two minutes as striker Dean Thexton fired Willington into the lead at Hall Lane.

The former Tow Law Town player then took centre-stage by completing a hat-trick with a goal either side of half-time.

Kyle Wren extended the lead to four midway through the second-half and that was enough to put Willington into the Third Round, despite Lewis Rees pulling a goal back for the Citizens 15 minutes from full-time.

Washington also saw their interest in this season’s competition ended as they fell to a 3-1 defeat at inform Heaton Stannington.

The Mechanics started brightly at Grounsell Park and took the lead on 23 minutes with a penalty from Kris Goss.

But a quickfire double from Dan Robinson and Josh Miller put the Stan ahead at half-time.

Washington goalscorer Goss left his side to play the entire second-half with ten men after he was shown a red card for arguing with the referee.

Thibault Charmey ended the game as a contest as he grabbed his first goal for the Stan just after the hour-mark.

Aaron McEwen played a key role as Birtley Town joined the Stan in the draw with a comfortable win at Esh Winning.

The striker hit a hattrick and Joe Barwick got the other goal to help Paul Beat’s side to a 4-1 win at West Terrace.

Leicester fans will continue their tributes to former owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha during Saturday’s home game against Burnley.

The Foxes’ Premier League fixture is their first home game since Srivaddhanaprabha was one of five people killed in a helicopter crash outside the King Power Stadium on October 27.

Supporters will receive scarves, pin badges, clap banners and special matchday programmes as commemorative gifts from the club.