MECHANICS ON THE UP
Washington secured a second successive win to boost their survival hopes in the Ebac Northern League First Division last night.
Their fine 3-1 home victory over Team Northumbria took them within three points of fourth-bottom Jarrow Roofing.
James Clark’s side, boosted by Saturday’s fine derby triumph at Ryhope CW, needed just five minutes to make the breakthrough, with Lamin Cham pounced on a rebound, to score from close range.
Team Northumbria equalised a minute into the second half, through Andrei-Vasile Ardelean, but the Mechanics were back in front on 59 minutes, when Vinny Gash scored .
Gash tapped into an empty net, following a mistake by the visiting keeper, to make sure of all three points in the 75th minute.
Ryhope CW bounced back from their loss to Washington to beat Newcastle Benfield 2-1 at Recreation Park, thanks to a winner in the very last minute.
After 18 minutes, a terrific 35-yard strike from Nat Skidmore gave Gary Pearson’s side a deserved lead.
Two minutes later, the home side were awarded a penalty, but striker Josh Home-Jackson blasted the ball over the bar.
Paul Brayson got Benfield back level in the 70th minute, but, right on time, Corey Nicholson headed a dramatic Ryhope winner at the back post, from Kyle Davis’s cross.
were back in the game, when Paul Brayson scored the equaliser, to make it 1-1. In the very last minute however, Corey Nicholson headed in the winner in a dramatic finish.
Bottom club Billingham Synthonia lost 2-0 at Ashington
After a goalless first half, the Colliers took a 46thminute lead, when the unfortunate Tom Gavin he put through his own net, when under pressure.
Dale Pearson made the game safe for Ashington, doubling their lead in the final minute.
Sunderland RCA exited the Brooks Mileson League Cup with a 2-1 second round defeat at Whitley Bay.
Bay took a 33rd minute lead, when excellent control from Liam Brooks allowed him to fire a left foot shot into the net, giving goalkeeper Keith Finch no chance.
It was 2-0 on 42 minutes, when Tom Potter fired home a low shot.
On the hour, following pressure from RCA, Stephen Callen reduced the deficit when he smashed the ball past goal keeper Thomas Flynn, but the Meadow Park side could not force an equaliser.
In the Ernest Armstrong Memorial Cup, Chester-leStreet outgunned Easington Colliery 3-1 to reach the third round.
The Cestrians took a seventh-minute lead, when Andrew Clarkson headed home powerfully from a free-kick.
Easington stepped up the pressure in the second half, but they were hit on the break in the 67th minute, when Dan McGuire found the net to make it 2-0.
With eight minutes left, Clarkson punished slack defensive work to hit a third, though Robbie Thompson finished well right on time to secure a deserved consolation goal.
Durham City’s tie at home to Thornaby and Tow Law’s clash with Bedlington Terriers were postponed due to waterlogged pitches.