Cole eyeing pre-season after Silksy beat Norton

Silksworth CW manager Jamie Cole is already thinking of a “very important preseason” after his side rounded off their 2021/22 Wearside League campaign with a win.

Thomas Hunter and Nathan Bennett grabbed a goal apiece and there was a brace for substitute Ash Burlace as Cole’s men battled to a seasonending 4-2 win at Norton and Stockton Ancients.

Silksworth will now watch on as the remainder of the league season is played out around them - but will hope to at least hold on to a top-six place.

After the game, Cole told The Echo: “We controlled most of the game but still found ourselves going a goal behind.

“However, that kicked us into gear and we soon grabbed two goals, with Tom Hunter scoring a brilliant header.

“The second half was the same again, all us, and we scored two more goals but they hit back in the last couple of minutes.

“It was a good win, we needed it, and now we look forward to relaxing ahead of a very important pre-season.”

The race for the title took another swing on Saturday as Farringdon Detached held promotion-chasing Gateshead Leam Rangers to a goalless draw.

That allowed Chester-leStreet United to remain at the top of the table - although Rangers do hold a game in hand on the leaders.

Darlington Town lie in third after a brace from Ben Wood and a goal apiece from Jim Wilson, Lewis Henry and Sam England gave them a 5-0 win at Coxhoe Athletic.

A hat-trick from Lewis Rees inspired third-placed Durham Corinthians to a 7-0 win at Annfield Plain.

There were also two goals for Kieron Richardson and one apiece for Steven Telford and Max Stoker as Dean Smith’s men ran out comfortable winners.

Richmond Town claimed a 2-0 win at Darlington RA and Lewis Jolly, Darren Donald and Ross Leeson all found the net as Windscale strolled to a 3-0 home win against Shotton Colliery.

Elliott Pledger and Joel Callender both scored twice in Wolviston’s 6-3 win against West Auckland Tunns.

Jake Stott and Mikey McGee also netted for the Teessiders.