Seaham see off title rivals Richmond in big showdown

Division Two leaders Seaham Harbour CC claimed a crucial 3-1 home win against Richmond in the Sunderland & District Over-40s League.

T he deadlock was broken in the 25th minute, Punshon curling home from the edge of the box to give the hosts the lead.

Theleadwassoondoubled, forward Dodds continued his recent scoring spree, heading in from a Parry corner.

Seaham extended their lead as half-time approached, Turnerbeatingthecentre-half before duly dispatching past the keeper. The visitors netted a consolation goal on 75 minutes.

Whitburn claimed a 4-0 home win against Willow Pond in Division Four.

Po n d we re c o n s ta ntl y pinned back in their own half, Chris Hamil won the ball to cross for Whitburn striker Martin Wright who slotted home.

The second half saw Whitburn increase their lead with a Ross Gorringe header and

went 3-0 up after an impressive volley from captain Andrew Simpson.

Pond sub Andy Tones bundled the ball over the line but this was ruled out for a foul on keeper Dolan.

From a Pond attack in the Whitburn box, defence was turned into attack for Whitburn through Michael Kirtley and star man Gavan McKen

zie, setting up Brad Smith who fired home to seal the win.

Philadelphia lost out 4-3 at home to Rolls-Royce.

Rolls took an early lead when Jonny Nichols tapped in a Martin Mulvaney corner, but three goals in eight minutes gave Phili a 3-1 half-time lead.

Early in the second half, Lee Steel produced a great through-ball to Nichols who

made no mistake from 10 yards.

Rollswerewellontopwhen Ronnie Dunlop put in a great cross from the right and Micky Agnew levelled.

Rolls kept piling on the pressure and in the last minute trickery from Stephen Murray played the ball in the danger area, where Nichols pounced for his hat-trick and

the winner to make the final score 4-3.

Ferryhill widened their lead at the top of the Premier League in a bruising 1-0 home win against Penshaw.

The winning goal was a header from Carl Beasley, S c ott R ic h a rd s a n d D av y Dukes starring for the hosts, Damian Maw and Archbold doing the same for Penshaw

Sunderland and District Over 40s League Premier Division football between Ryhope Foresters (pale blue) and Wallsend Boys Club, which ended in a 3-3 draw. Photos by Tim Richardson.

Ryhope Foresters (pale blue) push forward in last weekend’s draw at home to Wallsend Boys Club at Ryhope Recreation Ground, Sunderland.