Saturday's football May 8
11/05/10 17:08 Filed in:
Reports
by MALCOLM PRATT
A lone-goal defeat in the crunch match at Scarborough Town on Saturday
finally ended Ryhope CW's valiant bid to win the championship.
The Wearsiders led the table for several weeks but a hectic end to the season
recently began to take its toll and it is Scarborough who finish in pole
position.
Martin Swales' side, who have enjoyed their best season in more than 40 years,
needed nothing short of victory to keep alive their faltering aspirations but an
only goal 13 minutes from time set the home fans up for a celebration.
Ryhope suffered a blow in the 73rd minute when Richard Jordan was shown a
second yellow card and four minutes later, the deadlock was broken.
Dean Craig progressed to the by-line and his precision cross was fired in at
the far post by regular marksman Josh Greening.
The majority of fans in a bumper crowd of 425 went delirious but Ryhope didn't
give up, however, their efforts failed to produce the two goals necessary for
victory.
Ryhope end runners-up and if there is any consolation it is that they lifted
the Monkwearmouth Charity Cup.
Scarborough, who won the Sunderland Shipowners' Cup, have enjoyed a phenomenal
first season and will end at least five points in front of the Wearsiders.
With 137 goals they are by far and away the leading scorers and also boast the
meanest defence, having conceded only 28 times.
Jarrow signed off with a 4-1 victory over Annfield Plain at Perth Green courtesy
of goals by Peter Kane (2), Chris Lunn and Chris Quinn. The visitors' only
scorer was Dominic Elliott.
Until a week ago, Annfield Plain enjoyed a 24-match unbeaten sequence
stretching back to last September but they have lost their final three games.
Even so, they end a creditable sixth-from-top.
New Marske, who visit Easington Colliery on Friday May 21 in the Final of the
League Cup, also secured a top six rating with a 3-2 win at home to Windscale.
Stephen Baker, Jamie Jackson and Craig Gibbon were the marksmen with Dean
Rogers twice on target for the Cumbrians.
Despite leading at one stage through Andrew Ross and Phil Ross, Hartlepool
ended on a losing note as Gary George (2) and John Murphy led Cleator Moor
Celtic to victory.
