Sunderland Catholic Club Over-40s League

Ofive games were played in the Over 40s League last weekend on account of the heavy snow.

In the Premier Divisions Steels Social won 2-1 away to Penshaw Catholic and are now the new leaders on goal difference. Steels led 1-0 at the interval, a shot from Peter Stronach being deflected into the net for an own goal. After the restart Penshaw levelled only for Clark to score the winner for Steels with five minutes remaining.

Owton Manor move into fourth spot, they defeated relegation-haunted Marden 1-0 in a hard fought defensive battle. The first half ended goalless due to excellent goalkeeping. Marden's keeper Tony Clarke saved brilliantly from shots by Ton Muers and Costello and Manor's new signing Tony Harrison's excellent handling denied Marden. The second half was similar but in the last quarter Taylor cleverly beat two opponents and his fierce drive was only parried by Marden's keeper and Brian Ross was on hand to stab home the loose ball and give Owton a 1-0 victory lead.

In Division Two Hartlepool Catholic eased their relegation worries by winning 5-1 at home to fourth placed promotion candidates Cleveland Bridge. Pools took the lead after five minutes when Lambert put Micky Lewis through to go on and chip the keeper. Minutes later Ewan Gibbon scored direct from a corner and close on the break Tommy Swift scored in a goalmouth melee to give Pools a 3-0 lead. Shortley after the restart Pools went 4-0 up courtesy of a fine solo run from Micky Lambert. A piledriver of a shot from 35 yards pulled one back for the Bridge, but the issue was settled when Lewis scored his hat-trick to make it 5-1 to Pools. Outstanding players for Pools were Alvin Smith and Micky Wilson.

In division three West Cornforth turned on a super performance to defeat the Willow Pont 6-1 at home. The game was virtually over as Cornforth led 5-0 at the interval. Da\vid Kendall scored after 16 minutes with a well flighted shot from just inside the box then Geoff Stephenson made it 2-0 with a screecher from just outside the biox. David Nattrass's shot from 30 yards left the keeper helpless and Bernard Rooney did even better with a terrific piledriver from 35 yards. Just before half-time Nattrass scored his second to make it 5-0. The restart saw the Pond pull one back and tighten up their defence. Late on Tony Rowe made it 6-1 with a fine solo run.

In division four Billingham Town shrugged off last week's cup defeat by winning 4-0 at home to Houghton Mill Inn. The first half ended goalless with Billingham defending well against the wind. The restart saw Billingham taking advantage of the wind behind them. Paul Wilson slammed home a cross from Griffiths, Jimmy Speight slotted home a corner from Wilson and a fine solo effort from Wilson made it 3-0 before Keith Leighton scored to settle the issue 4-1 in the closing minutes.