WEARSIDE LEAGUE
by MALCOLM PRATT
 
Ryhope  CW  won the match of the day when they inflicted a first defeat  of  the
season  on  Teesside Athletic to maintain a four-points lead at the top  of  the
table.
 
Martin Swales's side went behind after half an hour but quickly hit back and won
a three-goals thriller with Shaun Petch's second-half strike.
 
Shaun  Taylor  and James Kesterton combined to set up Greg Booth who fired  into
the  bottom left-hand corner of the net, giving Ryhope goalkeeper Neil  Atkinson
no chance.
 
The Wearsiders equalised within seven minutes. John Butler's shot was parried by
Stuart McDonald but only to Chris Trewick  who made no mistake from close range.
 
Midway  through  the  second  period David Newby broke down the  right  and  his
inch-perfect centre was headed in by Petch.
 
Silksworth  failed  to halt Scarborough Town's challenge when they were hit  for
seven at the seaside.
 
Luke  Jenkinson  celebrated his return with a hat-trick, Josh Greening bagged  a
brace  with  Neil Waterfield and Joe Danby adding to the woes of the  Wearsiders
who managed just two goals from Scott Walker and Andrew Place.
 
Scarborough  remain  second, four points behind Ryhope with a game in  hand  and
Teesside Athletic stay third.
 
Wolviston  have  quietly crept into fourth place and goals by Danny Shields  (2)
and  Scott  Mehan  eased  them to victory over Jarrow whose  only  response  was
credited to Christie Elliott.
 
Easington  Colliery just edged Boldon CA. Adrian Sanders and Robert Huntley  had
them  two  goals  up until the 80th minute but when Kris  Robinson  reduced  the
deficit, it was all to play for in the final stages.
 
Ashbrooke  Belford  House found the net on three occasions thanks to Ryan  Steel
(2) and Kenny Taylor but still suffered defeat against New Marske.
 
Shaun  Erskine  rifled  a hat-trick, Shaun Mackin struck twice and  his  brother
Michael converted a penalty as the Seasiders enjoyed a six-goals romp.
 
In  contrast, an only goal by Aaron Robertson was sufficient for Annfield  Plain
at  Guisborough Town HC and Houghton Town returned to form defeating  Hartlepool
at Leyburn Grove.
 
Carl  McDermott was a fifth-minute marksman for Pools before Billy Harrison  (2)
and Kevin Gordon replied.
 
A month ago Coxhoe Athletic looked down and out at the bottom of the table. They
failed to claim a point from their first nine matches but have taken 10 from the
last four.
 
Their  latest  success was at Cleator Moor Celtic. Chris Corbett (2)  and  Peter
Bulmer  had  them three goals up inside 21 minutes but in a pulsating  encounter
Celtic  levelled, scoring three times in just 10 minutes through Chris  Thornton
(2) and Craig Scott.
 
Six  goals were scored in the first 35 minutes but only one more followed on the
hour as Kevin Mulgrew won the game for Coxhoe.
 
Willington remain bottom after losing to Kirkbymoorside whose scorers were Daryl
Rivis  and Paul Round (pen). An own goal by Rhys Crowe raised Willington's hopes
but they suffered their 12th defeat in 14 games.