Own goal by Port gives Shields draw

FELLOWSHIP LEAGUE

CONSETT Saint Patrick’s have resigned from the Premier Division - giving Stockton Churches Portrack a five-point lead at the top.

By contrast, the Teessiders’ opponents North Shields Community Christians dropped from third to third bottom, having lost five points in the revamp of the league table.

In a fiercely-fought battle there were no goals in the first half.

The deadlock was broken after the hour when the home team struck through Marc Dawson.

However, Stockton could not find the second goal to put the game to bed - and in the closing minutes an own goal give North Shields a 1-1 draw.

At the other end of the table there was little disruption as bottom club Sunderland Samba drew 2-2 at home to Saint Charles RC Church Gosforth.

This was the sides’ fifth meeting of the season, Saint Charles having won the other four.

Andrew Place put Samba in front on 21 minutes and the Wearsiders increased their advantage through David Cleugh before half-time.

Saint Charles had the wind behind them and before the hour Duncan Falconer had fired them back into contention.

Both teams had chances in the remainder of the game and in the dying seconds Samba’s goalkeeper spilled the ball and Falconer was there to capitalise.

In Division One, Stockton Salvation Army lost their home match to Blyth Family Church to a waterlogged pitch.

Jubilee Church Teesside drew 4-4 wth Heaton Saints.

Heaton took the lead courtesy of Ryan Creighton but immediately Jubilee equalised and by the half-hour they were 3-1 in front thanks to Dan Caney, Michael Mayberry and Steve Sykes.

Phil Russell made the score 3-2 to Heaton at the break.

Five minutes into the second half Carl Thompson tied the match at 3-3 - but Russell then nabbed his second to put Saints back in front.

A penalty on 80 minutes gave Mayberry his second as Jubilee dropped to third place and out of the top two for the first time this season.