Saturday's football April 2

by MALCOLM PRATT
 
LEADERS  Ryhope  CW  were  looking  for Houghton Town to do  them  a  favour  at Scarborough  Town  but  it was not to be as Steve Patton's side was hit  with  a nine-goals blitz.
 
The  margin of defeat was certainly surprising because Houghton have developed a mean defensive streak in recent weeks.
 
They  were  clearly second best at the Seaside however  and must  have  wondered what had hit them, especially during the opening half.
 
Boro  were unstoppable and it was virtually one-way traffic as the goals  flowed from Josh Greening, with a hat-trick, Joel Ramm, Wayne Brooksby, Mark Barber and Joe Danby.
 
Although the visitors' defence tightened up after the break, Greening still took his personal tally to four and Danby also scored again.
 
Houghton's   solitary  consolation  was  credited  to  Brad  Freeman  who   beat goalkeeper  Richard  Ossai,  playing  his last game before  going  to  coach  in America.
 
Scarborough  remain  second,  12  points behind Ryhope CW  with  five  games  in hand on the Wearsiders..
 
Martin  Swales' side had a close call in the local derby with Ashbrooke  Belford House.
 
Greg  Swansbury  headed  them into a 15th-minute lead but Tommy  Dobbing's  team turned  the tables as Kenny Taylor and Paul Robertson struck early in the second period.
 
With  20  minutes remaining, James Farrell restored parity and 10  minutes  from time, Glen Moan hit the winner.
 
Easington  Colliery  were  surprisingly well beaten at Kirkbymoorside  who  were ahead at the break with a hat-trick by Alex Strickland.
 
Chris  Wallace had cancelled out his first goal but this was to be the Colliers' only success and late in the game the home side went nap through Umi Ehima (pen) and Ryan Rivis.
 
Paul  Legg gave Coxhoe Athletic an interval lead at home to Silksworth who  went ahead  courtesy of Paul Carr and Adam Brown. With 14 minutes left on the  clock, Peter Bulmer claimed an equaliser and a point for Coxhoe.
 
After  establishing  a three-goals advantage thanks to Peter Kane (2) and  Chris Lunn,  Jarrow  survived  a late fightback by Hartlepool for whom  Danny  Corbett (pen) and Karl Winspear netted.
 
Colin  Snailham  scored both goals in Annfield Plain's victory at New Marske  as did Nathan Summersgill in Wolviston's defeat of Guisborough Town HC.
 
Bottom  side  Willington suffered a five-goals rout at Cleator Moor  Celtic  for whom  Barry Irving (2), Lee Dunn (pen), Chris Thornton and Gary George all  beat goalkeeper Chris Slaughter.
 
It  looks  as  if  only  Scarborough Town will  qualify  for  promotion  to  the Skilltrainingltd Northern League.
 
Easington  Colliery  appear  to be out of the running as  do  Teesside  Athletic following  their defeat at Windscale for whom Ryan Lowery, Dean Rogers and Shaun Pollin netted.