Cogden nets hat- trick to send Moors top of league

A BLISTERING first- half performance swept Spennymoor Town to a 5- 0 victory over Newton Aycliffe last night and to the top of the Ebac Northern League First Division.

It was all over for the visitors inside half- an- hour by which time Jason Ainsley’s side led by four goals.

After just three minutes man- of- the- match Gavin Cogden fired past goalkeeper Gareth Young before three goals in the space of six minutes had Moor’s supporters in raptures.

Liam Henderson powered in a header, Cogden drilled the ball into the net following a great run, and he then completed a superb hat- trick, tapping the ball into the empty net after rounding Young.

Moors twice hit the post before going nap on 62 minutes as Chay Liddle volleyed home a Henderson cross.

The game attracted a crowd of 504 to the Brewery Field.

Shildon, who started the night in pole position, have taken only two points from their last four games after going down to Ashington, who moved into third place.

Andrew Johnson struck with a tremendous 30 yard free- kick and Kyle Oliver drove in a second goal for the Colliers on 51 minutes.

Lee Paul Scroggins threw Shildon a lifeline with an excellent strike from 30 yards but Johnson made it three for Ashington on the break. With just three minutes remaining, Mark Hudson hit a good shot into the top of the net but the visitors held on.