Worley and Forster secure win and title for Houghton
Houghton Cricket Club is celebrating after being crowned Sunderland and District Over-40s Division Four champions with victory against their nearest title rivals, Wear United.
As early as the first minute, a Wear United player handled on the goal line and a penalty was awarded, along with a yellow card.
Worley stepped up and scored to make it 1-0 and It stayed that way until half time.
In the second half, Michael Forster Jnr made it 2-0 with the game looking like it was sown up.
However, Wear United pulled a goal back with five minutes to go, and then equalised only for it to be ruled offside.
Houghton held on for the win to confirm them as champions, while they still remain unbeaten with only three league games remaining.
Consett gained their third win of the season over Penshaw Catholic Club, with a 4-2 victory at Herrington Park.
Still missing key players, Penshaw were dealt a double blow in the first half with both Simon Holland and Paul Donnelly had to leave the field injured.
Penshaw could have been two up in the first 10 minutes, with Liddle and Charlesworth missing good chances before Consett took the lead.
The home team fought back and a great Donnelly cross was bundled in by Archbold to level matters. However, it was short-lived with Consett regaining the lead with a well worked goal.
A change in Penshaw formation saw Damian Maw move into midfield, and for 20 minutes they put the Consett defence under sustained pressure, with Liddle levelling the score.
However, as has been in many games this season, Penshaw tired badly and Consett punished them with two late goals.
In Division Four, Willow Pond edged out Oak Tree Farm with a sender 2-0 victory.
Both sides cancelled each other out in the early exchanges before Pond’s Raymond Dalgliesh floated a long ball out of defence for striker Martin Lee to head home past Oak Tree keeper Dean Broadbent.
Gavin Taylor made numerous attempts to open up the home defence and one long shot by him was smartly tipped over by Andy Tilbury at full stretch.
Mick Jones, Paul Maddison Steve Richardson tested Tilbury from distance.
In the second half, Oak Tree were again kept to long shots by a stout defensive display and after one Oak Tree attack was cut out, Richard Bland crossed the ball to striker Lee, who skilfully pulled the ball down and fired past Broadbent to double his tally and the lead.
An Oak Tree attack had Taylor going away from goal, but was brought down by Pond midfielder Lee Brown.
Taylor stepped up to take the penalty, but his low drive was saved by Tilbury onto the post.
Rolls Royce played Hartlepool Vets and claimed a superb 4-2 victory.
Jonny Nichols bagged a brace for Rolls, while Chris Priest added a third.
Kev Cowley then hit a shot from the edge of the box that flew into the corner of the net for a 4-2 victory.
Pools continued to fight and replied with two late goals.
In the Premier League, Hartlepool FC Blues travelled up to Northumberland to play Milbourne Arms and came away with a resounding 7-0 victory.
In Division Two, Hartlepool Cricket Club travelled to Durham County and they were good value for their 4-0 win.
FIXTURES: Premier Div: Blyth Masons Arms v Washington EMS, Hartlepool FC Blues v Consett, Killingworth YPC v Pelton Crown Inn, Middlesbrough SC v Milbourne Arms, Penshaw Catholic Club v Ferryhill Greyhound, Ryhope Foresters v Hebburn Town, Sherburn Village WMC v Marden, Wallsend Boys Club v Seaham Harbour.
Div One: CSSC Darsley Park v Newcastle East End, Hartlepool Jacksons v Woodhorn Lane, Redcar Town v N/Shields Pineapple, Seaton Buildings v Boldon Colliery Old Barrel, Sedgefield v Roseberry Hilda Park, South Shields v Grindon Broadway, Stanley v Easington Colliery, Times Inn v Dubmire SC.
Div Two: Durham County v Hall Farm, Newcastle Blue Star v Hartlepool Tech, N/Aycliffe Cobblers Hall v Humbledon Plains Farm, Walkergate JFC v Peterlee Helford, Washington JFC v Billingham Vets, Whitburn v Hartlepool Cricket Club, Willington Quay Saints v Richmond Town.
Div Three: Catchgate v Darlington DSRM, Durham Bede Lodge v Pennywell Comrades, Hartlepool Raby Arms v Bedlington United, Seaton Carew v Trimdon Vets, Shildon AFC v Mill View SC, S/Shields Catholic Club v Heighington Bay Horse, Wingate Constitutional v West Moor.
Div Four: N/Shields 3 Sails v Oak Tree Farm, Redcar Newmarket v The Philadelphia, S/Shields Buzzers v Houghton Cricket, Rolls Royce v Ivy Legends, Wear United v The Cambridge, Willow Pond v Billingham The Lion.