Leaders are cementing their place at the top

WOLVISTON moved five points clear at the top of the Wearside League table as they came out on top in a seven-goal thriller against Hartlepool FC.

Steve Cook’s side were three goals ahead inside 53 minutes thanks to a brace from Phil Otele and a single strike from Stewart Bath.

The hosts got back into the game with quickfire strikes from Dean Cope and Matty Gardner, but Nathan Bayes grabbed a decisive fourth for Wolviston and his side held on for the win, despite Jamie Tumilty reducing the arrears late on.

Richmond Town are into the top five after a brace from Scott Ryan and goals from Simon Pinkney, Jason Newell, Joe Shields and Tom Carnegie-brown gave them a comprehensive 6-1 win against bottom-of-the-table Coxhoe Athletic.

Silksworth CW were held to a 1-1 draw at West Auckland Town as Josh Farquhar’s first-half header was ruled out by James Marley’s equaliser.

Joe Johnson got the only goal of the game to help Annfield Plain to a 1-0 home win against Boldon CA and Windscale battled back from two goals down to claim a 4-3 win over Gateshead Leam Rangers.

Connor Taylor and Connor Halpin were on target to put Leam Rangers into a two-goal lead before the half-hour mark.

Laurie Black got Windscale back into the game ahead of half-time but Taylor’s second goal of the day restored Leam Rangers’ two-goal advantage. Three goals in 18 minutes though from Kevin Holliday, Ben Graham and Zac Little helped Windscale to dramatic win.

Haydn Pace scored twice and there was a goal apiece for Robbie Renwick and Peter Crawcrook as Horden CW moved into the semi-finals of the TWR Shipowners Charity Cup thanks to a 4-1 home win against Darlington RA.

Ryan Bolam and Nathan Sinclair both found the net as Hebburn Town Reserves progressed into the last four of the Durham Trophy with a narrow 2-1 win against Darlington Town.

MARK CARRUTHERS