Star worthy of comeback win over Ryhope, admits Lennox
Seaham Red Star striker Adam Lennox believes his side were full value for their 2-1 derby win at Ryhope CW.
The hosts were favourites to claim yet another win to further enhance the impressive league form that has taken them into Division One’s top four of the Northern League.
All seemed to be going to plan when Danni Lay put them in front with 16 minutes on the clock - but it was Red Star fought back and secured the points thanks to an equaliser from Danny Sayer and a late Lennox penalty.
“We had a bit of a reshape and played with two up front,” explained the Red Star frontman. “We had a bit of pace, we went more attacking and we were always dominant, even when we were behind.
“We got the equaliser and then we won the penalty late on and got the win.
“I was buzzing for the lads, it was a well deserved win.”
Sunderland RCA moved into the top eight of the table as Taylor Richardson grabbed the only goal of their home game against Guisborough Town.
Elsewhere, Mitchell Ramsey and Adam Shanks netted in Whitley Bay’s 2-0 win at Penrith and Matthew Waters got the only goal of Bishop Auckland’s impressive win at Newton Aycliffe.
Gateshead youngster Eddie Thomas was amongst the scorers as Crook Town strolled to a 4-0 home win against Ashington and Matthew Hayton’s brace helped rapidly improving West Allotment Celtic to a 4-1 win at Northallerton Town.
There will be four Northern League clubs in today’s FA Vase third round draw after a weekend of mixed fortunes.
Billingham Synthonia produced the performance of the weekendastheyshockedtwotime finalists West Auckland Town. West went ahead with a goal from veteran defender Gary Brown but Synners hit back and secured their place in the draw as Max Craggs and Josh Rowbotham gave them a 2-1 win.
Consett and North Shields came through penalty shootouts against Thornaby and North Ferriby respectively and late goals from Paul Brayson and Jake Turnbull gave Newcastle Benfield a 2-0 home win against Emley.
However, Division Two duo Redcar Town and Carlisle City saw their runs ended by respective defeats against AFC Liverpool and Abbey Hey.
In Division Two, Boldon CA manager David Crumbie believes his side paid for making a slow start in their home defeat against Chester-leStreet Town.
Crumbie’s men could have moved into the top six of the Division Two table with an eighth consecutive win against the Cestrians.
But it was the visitors that took the honours as a Matthew Ward strike and a penalty from Michael Hepplewhite put them in control at half-time.
Charlie McLeod gave Boldon some hope when he found the net just after the hour-mark but that was as good as it got for Crumbie and his players.
After the game, he told The Echo: “We started the game slowly, but both teams didn’t really have too much to do.
“Chester sat off and let us have the ball, but we were nowhere near good enough with it.
“They scored through two individual errors and then got a penalty from a lazy tackle.
“After half-time, it was mostly all us, but we just couldn’t get a flow going.
“Charlie McLeod did get a goal back to get us back in the game, but we just couldn’t find the equaliser.”
Sunderland West End were left empty-handed from their visit to in-form Tow Law Town.
Lewis Charlton got Keith Graydon and Steven Stewart’s side back on level-terms after Alfie Pearn had put the Lawyers ahead eight minutes before half-time. But it was the hosts that claimed a fifth consecutive win thanks to a Drew Lake penalty 15 minutes from full-time.
Brandon United took all three points from their visit to fellow strugglers Washington. Jai Grant, Glen Caygill and David Mitchell all netted to put the visitors in control and they met little resistance with a Chris Pearson goal provided the sole response from the Mechanics.
Two goals from Rhys Porter gave Esh Winning a 2-0 home win against bottom of the table Durham City and Willington and Jarrow could not be separated in their stalemate at Hall Lane.
Heaton Stannington kept their lead at the top of the table with a narrow win at Blyth
Town on Friday night thanks to a Dean Holmes goal.
Easington Colliery’s stunning form continued with a home win against fellow promotion challengers Ryton and Crawcrook Albion.
Liam Adamson and Jack Pounder put the Colliers in control with first-half goals and they held on for a ninth consecutive league win despite Joe Thompson scoring for the visitors in the final ten minutes.
*FCHartlepoolprogressed into the final of the Monkwearmouth Charity Cup after coming through a penalty shoot-out at Wolviston.
An equaliser from Craig Linsel sent the tie to spotkicks after Jae Wilson had put the hosts ahead - and Terry Hill’s men held their nerve with a 5-4 win.
Chester-le-Street United and Gateshead Leam Rangers progressed into the semi-finals of the same competition with home wins on Saturday.
A double from Michael Spellman and a Cameron Brewis penalty gave United a 3-1 win against Windscale and Jonny Hirst, Robbie Houghton, Aidan Rutledge and Jordan McClarence all scored as Leam eased to a 4-0 win against Shildon Reserves.