WEARSIDE LEAGUE
by MALCOLM PRATT
 
Eight  goals, extra time and three sendings-off. You couldn't ask for more  when
Easington Colliery defeated Silksworth in the Wearside League Cup on Saturday.
 
Add the fact that the Wearsiders led with a brace of goals from Anthony Rogerson
until  the  71st  minute, then the margin of Easington's victory  is  even  more
remarkable.
 
It  looked  all over for the Colliers when Chris Lindstedt's team enjoyed a  two
goals  lead despite having Cameron Marshall red-carded after just 25 minutes but
when  Tom Orchard reduced the deficit with 19 minutes remaining, suddenly a game
was on.
 
Robert  Huntley  levelled in the 83rd minute and four minutes  later  Silksworth
went down to nine men as Jordan Craike received his marching orders.
 
The  home  side  made  the  numerical  advantage  count  and  went  into  a  4-2
extra-time lead with strikes by Peter Crawford and Huntley before amazingly Ross
Morton  became  the  third Silksworth player to be sent off with  eight  minutes
remaining.
 
From  then on, the result was a forgone conclusion and the visitors were hit for
six  as Gary Tyzack unfortunately put through his own goal and Huntley completed
a hat-trick.
 
The  other  first round tie wasn't nearly so eventful. Glen Walker was an  early
marksman  for Wolviston but Ryhope CW went through courtesy of Martin  Metcalfe,
Dan Smith and John Butler.
 
In  a reduced league programme, Ashbrooke Belford House ended Coxhoe  Athletic's
mini-revival.
 
Jake Laverick fired the home side in front but in the 23rd minute goalkeeper Tom
Orton  was  given  a  red card for a foul on Peter  Benson,  who  converted  the
penalty.
 
Even  so, Coxhoe regained the initiative through Peter Bulmer but in the  second
period Mark Green and Paul Robinson eased Ashbrooke to victory.
 
Houghton  Town twice led courtesy of Billy Harrison and Simon Williamson but had
to  settle for a point against Annfield Plain whose marksmen were Roy Gordon and
Colin Snailham.
 
Jarrow  crashed  to  a 5-1 defeat at New Marske despite  scoring  first  through
Richard  Stubbs.  Shaun Mackin rifled a hat-trick with Mark Dawson (2)  also  on
target.
 
Windscale   returned  to  action  following  a  two-week  lay-off  and  defeated
Hartlepool with efforts from Dean Rodgers and Paul O'Donnell.
 
Boldon  CA  exited the Durham Challenge Cup at the hands of Crook Town who  went
three goals up thanks to Gavin Barton (2) and Adam Nichols.
 
Kris  Robinson  and Michael Wright threw Boldon a lifeline but in stoppage  time
Crook wrapped up the tie with further goals from Darren Kokes and Tom Berj.