Samba miss a beat as Song prevail

NTH/EAST CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP LEAGUE

THE only match in the Premier Division was Hillsong Newcastle against visitors Sunderland Samba.

Manager Jay Sutter got Hillsong up and running, scoring after just 10 minutes.

Another 10 minutes on and the score was doubled by Evan Holmes.

Sunderland Samba’s John Anjokwu scored before half-time with the score 2-1 after 45 minutes.

Ben Jefferies increased Hillsong’s lead after the hour and with 20 minutes left Nathan Furness notched to seal Hillsong Newcastle’s 4-1 victory.

With leaders Stockton Churches Portrack not playing, this result took Hillsong to top spot by one point.

The top match in Division One was at Stockton Salvation Army, where Morpeth Mighty Oaks were the visitors.

Back in October the two teams met with Morpeth winning 5-4 courtesy of a last-minute penalty.

Morpeth, in third place, were looking to close the gap on Jubilee Church, with Army leading the division.

Chrissy Skipper fired Army in front on ten minutes.

Lewis Rutherford equalised after 15 minutes.

Damien Tinlin put Morpeth in front at half-time at 2-1 and in the space of 15 minutes Rory Sawyer hit a hat-trick to give Stockton a 4-2 advantage.

Alex Scott pulled a goal back for Morpeth at 4-3.

James Bridge then restored Stockton’s two-goal advantage.

Blaine Evans scored with six minutes left for Morpeth but there were no last-minute heroics as Stockton Salvation Army reversed the October result to triumph 5-4 and extend their lead at the top of the table.

At the other end, after winning in Blyth last weekend, YAV SIFF overcame Saint John’s Snods Edge. 4-1.

Mensah Koffi gave YAV a 2-0 advantage with both counters inside 25 minutes and they also missed a penalty.

Saint John’s came out on the front foot and were rewarded with a cracking strike from Chris Telfer for 2-1 before Koffi completed his hat-trick on the hour and then added his fourth to secure the points.