WEARSIDE LEAGUE
by MALCOLM PRATT

EASINGTON Colliery were on the receiving end of the shock result of the season
on Saturday when Willington won at Hall Lane.

Andy Colledge's side went into the game having lost just once in 21 games and
boasting by far the best goals difference.

They were firm favourites to take another step towards promotion but were
rocked on 33 minutes when Jason White beat the offside trap and slotted the
ball wide of goalkeeper Nicky Lawson.

Willington went two up after an hour. The ball stuck on the difficult surface
and when Easington's defenders failed to clear, Danny Lee pounced.

Just before the end the Colliers almost reduced the deficit as an effort
rebounded from the underside of the crossbar but Willington keeper Andrew
Stocks was quick to react.

Easington still command a nine-points lead but New Marske, whose fixture was
one of five to be postponed, now have two games in hand.

Prudhoe Town prop up the table after losing to Darlington RA despite scoring
first with a good effort from Andy Hoban.

Michael Richardson restored parity on the hour and six minutes from time, Nick
Petch beat goalkeeper Ross Thomas in a goalmouth scramble.

David Turner fired Annfield Plain into a halftime lead at home to Coxhoe
Athletic and Paul Henderson doubled the advantage with 10 minutes remaining.

At this stage, the Plain were coasting to victory but when Shaun Laverick
reduced the deficit on 87 minutes an exciting finale ensued. Coxhoe though
failed to claim an equaliser.

Alan Blair gave Windscale the lead after just 15 seconds at Kirkbymoorside for
whom goalkeeper Adam Maxon saved a Dean Rogers penalty before Ryan Cooper,
Johnny Brown and Uyi Ehima earned the points for the Yorkshiremen.

Ryhope CW, who are third top, had their fixture with Boldon CA called off and
the games between Silksworth and Cleator Moor Celtic, Houghton Town at Stockton
Town, Jarrow versus Ashbrooke Belford House and Wolviston against New Marske
also fell victim to waterlogged pitches.