Taylor treble puts Morpeth 15 points clear

MORPETH Town moved 15 points clear at the top of Northern League Division One as Sean Taylor’s hat-trick helped them to a 5-1 win at Ryhope CW.

Michael Rae put the hosts ahead but a five-minute burst midway through the first half saw the Highwaymen take control, Taylor score twice and Liam Henderson add a third.

Taylor completed his hat-trick early in the second half and Mark Davison added a fifth goal 10 minutes from full-time.

Two goals from Anthony Bell and a Ross Colquhoun strike helped third-placed West Auckland Town to comfortable 3-0 home win over Ashington.

West’s win was slightly tempered by the loss of Ben Wood with a broken ankle.

Shildon are in fourth after Billy Greulich-Smith’s brace helped them to a 6-0 win at already-relegated Washington.

The Mechanics will be joined in Division Two by Billingham Synthonia after Bishop Auckland inflicted a 6-2 defeat on them at Heritage Park.

That win for Bishops meant Jarrow Roofing had to beat Newcastle Benfield at Sam Smith’s Park – and they did as two goals from Dennis Knight and one from John Campbell helped them to a 3-0 win.

Martyn Coleman maintained his impressive form with a hat-trick in Penrith’s 3-3 draw at North Shields.

Coleman completed his treble with a penalty deep into injury time, just minutes after Ben Harmison’s second goal looked to have given the Robins all three points.

Guisborough Town all but ended any relegation worries they had with a 3-1 win at Seaham Red Star and a late Jack Walker goal helped Whitley Bay take a point from their 2-2 draw with Team Northumbria.

Michael Chilton got the only goal of the game as Blyth AFC move to the top of the table with a 1-0 win against Whickham in the battle of the top two in Division Two.

Northallerton Town are level on points with Blyth after they staged a remarkable comeback against Tow Law Town.

The Lawyers were 2-0 up inside the opening 10 minutes, but the visitors were level by half-time, and Shaun Hudson’s 86th-minute goal sealed a 3-2 win for Northallerton.

Hebburn Town remain in the hunt for promotion after Paul Chow hit a brace in their 5-1 home win against Durham City.