WEARSIDE League
by MALCOLM PRATT

RYHOPE CW closed in on leaders New Marske and Easington Colliery when they
narrowly defeated Annfield Plain at Derwent Park.

The Wearsiders had their work cut out and there was only a minute remaining as
Chris Trewick clinched a dramatic winning goal.

It was Trewick who gave Martin Swales' side a fifth-minute lead but within 10
minutes, Annfield were level courtesy of Arron Robertson.

Fortunes ebbed and flowed and there were chances at both ends before Trewick
came up trumps for Ryhope, who are now just a point behind Easington Colliery.

Ashbrooke Belford House are fourth, level on points with Ryhope and they too had
a fight on their hands at Houghton Town.

Despite the conditions, the two sides produced an entertaining game which looked
likely to end in a goal-less draw.

But with just a couple of minutes remaining Tommy Dobbing's team eventually
broke the deadlock.

Houghton goalkeeper Dean Caris made a fantastic save but when the ball rebounded
to Martin Deacon, he made no mistake.

The hosts pushed players forward in search of an equaliser and left the way open
for Lee McAndrew to make sure of the points for Ashbrooke with a stunning
25-yard left-foot shot deep into stoppage time.

Darlington Cleveland Bridge moved into fifth position with an emphatic victory
at home to Willington who were on the back foot once they conceded a brace of
goals to Michael Carter by the 10th minute.

Although Paul Thorne reduced the arrears early in the second half, the Bridge
finished strongly and further goals flowed from Neil Jackson and Neville Fuller.

Following an indifferent start to the season, Redcar Athletic, with ambitions to
join the STL Northern League, are just outside the top six despite being held to
a draw by Windscale.

Richie Playforth fired Redcar ahead and Windscale were dealt a second blow in
the 73rd minute when Dan McDermott was unfortunate to be sent off.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, the Cumbrians battled on and substitute
Graeme Golding deservedly levelled.

Prudhoe Town remain bottom, the only side yet to win. After taking a halftime
lead courtesy of Lee Best, they trailed to Coxhoe Athletic whose marksmen were
Shaun Laverick and Dan Hatton.

With only 10 minutes left on the clock Adam Dobson restored parity to earn
Prudhoe only their fourth point in 18 games.