BUTLER SERVES UP FIVE GOALS TO EASE PRESSURE
SUNDERLAND WEST END STRIKER SCORES FIVE IN A 9-0 ROMP OVER BOLDON CA
John Butler praised his Sunderland West End teammates for coping with the pressure they faced going into their game at Boldon CA on Saturday.
West End were looking to a fifth consecutive league defeat as they travelled to South Tyneside and they put that run behind them in the best possible fashion with a dominating display.
Butler led the way as he marked his appearance as a second-half substitute by scoring five goals in 25 minutes.
A brace from Brian Norton and a goal apiece from Lee Smith and Andrew Brown helped Anthony Nelson’s side to a 9-0 win and kept them in third place in the Wearside League table.
Butler admitted that there had been pressure, but was delighted to see his side end their poor run of form with a big win against their struggling hosts.
He said: “There is always pressure playing for Sunderland West End because we have a good squad and we are expected to do well.
“We went into Saturday’s game knowing we needed a win after our recent poor run and that added to the pressure.
“But as a senior player, I went into the dressingroom and told the lads to relax and let their ability get us through because we have a strong side here.
“We obviously improved and we created more chances than we have been and it was just a case of taking them.
“It’s always nice to score and to get five in 25 minutes is very good, but the win is what we wanted and that is what we got.”
The win moved West End to within four points of league leaders Hebburn Town Reserves, although the Hornets hold two games in hand over Anthony Nelson’s side.
Butler stressed that he believes his side will have to win every game they face over the rest of the season if they are to win the league title.
“We could be ten points behind if they win their games in hand and that’s a big ask for us.
“There are some good sides in this league and we are now hoping they drop points.
“We just have to keep winning and I think we will have to win every game between now and the end of the season and just hope for the best.”
Fifth-placed Silksworth CW slipped to a 3-2 home defeat against Darlington RA.
A Chris Tarn brace gave the visitors a two-goal halftime lead but Silksworth were back level within three minutes of the restart thanks to goals from Stephen Moody and Harry Munday.
A deflected effort from Dan Wheldon put RA back in front on 53 minutes and that was a lead that they held on to until the full-time whistle.
A Jamie Yorke brace put Horden CW on their way to an impressive 6-0 win at Gateshead Leam Rangers.
Annfield Plain came out on top in the battle of two sides in the bottom three as goals from Joe Johnson, Ki Gohery and Jamie Gordon gave them a 3-0 win at Coxhoe Athletic.
Lee Jones and Jamie Tumilty both scored twice in Hartlepool FC’s 6-0 demolition of Windscale.
Kieran Campbell and Brad Green also found the net as Terry Hill’s side moved to within two points of the top six.
And Darlington Town and West Auckland Tunns shared the points with a 2-2 draw at Eastbourne Sports Complex.
Harton and Westoe CW moved into the third round of the TWR Shipowners Charity Cup with a 4-0 home win against Durham United with two goals from Adam Bell and one each from Jason Pressling and Jordan Fenwick.
In-form striker Shaun Reay scored twice to put Hebburn Town Reserves on their way to a 4-1 win over Washington AFC Reserves in round one of the Monkwearmouth Charity Cup.
Mikey McGee hit a hattrick as Wolviston moved into the third round of the Total Sport Alan Hood Charity Cup with an impressive 4-2 win at Richmond Town.