West End go top as Hebburn lose in cup

SUNDERLAND West End took over at the top of the Wearside League table with a comfortable 2-0 home win against top-six challengers Hartlepool FC.

Anthony Nelson’s side leapfrogged Hebburn Town Reserves – who now have three games in hand on the new leaders – as they claimed another three points thanks to a goal in each half from Brian Norton and Brad Wilson.

Bottom-of-the-table Coxhoe Athletic won for only the third time this season as they saw off Gateshead Leam Rangers 3-0 at Beechfield Park.

A Kieron Parnaby brace and a Stephen Bogie goal took Coxhoe within eight points of second-bottom Darlington RA.

Coxhoe remain rooted to the foot of the table and are still eight points behind 15th-placed Darlington RA.

Boldon CA remain unbeaten in 2019, although they had to settle for a point in their 2-2 home draw with Darlington Town.

Rob Moncur and Sam England were on the scoresheet for the visitors, but the spoils were shared thanks to a goal from Dom Solman and a John Murray penalty, with the hosts still ninth in the table.

Hebburn Town Reserves suffered double frustration, losing their grip on top spot in the league and getting dumped out of another cup competition.

They lost a third semifinal of the season as they were beaten by Richmond Town in the last four of the Monkwearmouth Charity Cup.

The Hornets took the tie to penalties after Josh Houghton cancelled out a first-half opener from Jason Newall.

But it was Richmond, fifth in the table, who progressed with a 4-3 win in the shoot-out.

Horden CW progressed into the final of the TWR Shipowners Charity Cup with a comprehensive 4-0 win against Harton and Westoe CW.

John Bowes, David Paul, Josh Broom and Robert Renwick all got themselves on the scoresheet in the thumping victory.