Stranton on march

Ithe Christian Publicity Organisation (CPO) National Cup Second Round First Division Stranton Saints Hartlepool hosted Saint Peter's Shipley who beat Jesmond Parish Church on their patch 3-2 in the previous round. Saint Peters held a 2-1 lead but Stranton came back to win 3-2. Emmanuel Yarm of the Second Division played First Division Bethshan Community Church and were leading 1-0 after an hour Bethshan's calibre showed and they went on to win the match 2-1. Stakeford Methodist Church were due to play Lee United from London but United could not make the journey so Stakeford are awaiting a decision to proceed in the

competition.

In Division One there was a top of the table clash between City Church Sunderland and Jesmond Parish Church. In a typical game of two halves, Jonathan Cook and Dave Robinson gave Jesmond a 2-0 lead at half time. City Church responded with a goal on the hour from Martin Harvey with Noel Harrison equalising after 80 minutes to finish the match 2-2.

The bottom two clubs had away matches with Whitley Bay Church playing Airport Church who took a 2-0 lead from Mark Annison and Paul Proud. Railton Brooks pulled a goal back, there was a goal flurry with Airport stretching their lead to 4-1 with Proud getting his second and Kevin Parish scoring at the far post with a header. Russell Brooks immediately replied with the final score 4-2.

Athenians Christian, second bottom, took the lead at Consett Methodist Church from Dave Hepton. David Rowe replied with less than ten minutes to the end and Richard Carroll got the winner for Consett.

In the Second Division Saint Peters Low Fell went top of the Division with a 4-1 home win over Lanchester Chapel after racing into a 3-0 half time lead and 4-0 midway through the second half with a Rob Laybourne hat-trick and a strike from David Donaldson, Kel Hepplewhite scored a consolation penalty.

Wearside Community Church B got their second win in as many weeks with a Michael Winch goal to give them a 1-0 win over Bethany Christian Centre, this lifts Wearside off the bottom of the table.

Monkwearmouth had an emphatic win over Middlesbrough Baptists 2-0 at half time from Ben Hodgeson and Karl Laverick. They went on to win 6-1, Laverick getting his second, a pair for Barry Ward and a goal for Barry Battell, David Dixon the lone striker for Middlesbrough.

Heworth Christian Fellowship climb up to mid-table with a hat-trick from Gary Harkness as they beat Westgate Road Baptist Church 3-1, John Flower netting for Westgate.

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Over-40s League

Ithe Premier League the champions Billingham Wanderers defeated Gateshead Ex-Servicemen 6-0 at home to move into third place.

The Wanderers settled well in blustery conditions, although Gateshead had plenty of the game however, after 15 minutes a good ball by Keith Aldridge saw Keith Corner shoot home for the Billingham side.

This was quickly followed by Corner returning the favour to let Aldridge in. In a five minute spell Corner lobbed the keeper and Keith Aldridge scored on the turn after good work by Chris Forster to give Billingham a 4-0 half-time lead.

In the second half the Gateshead keeper made some excellent saves, but could not stop Corner completing a deserved hat-trick. Towards the end Charlie Bell completed the scoring against a dispirited Tyneside outfit with a close range shot.

The man of the match was Keith Aldridge with Jez Forrest and Mark Gatenby dominating midfield.

On Saturday Billingham travel to Whitley Bay to play Bates Cottages in a league game meeting at 9.15am at Owington Farm.

In Division One the Pirates appear to have at last got their act together, they won their second successive game 2-1 against the Barnes Hotel and are third off bottom and are moving up the league. Ferryhill Greyhound are showing their true form, they defeated Newton Aycliffe 3-0 away and with games in hand of those above are still likely candidates for promotion.

In Division Three the long-awaited return of one of star players Corby Waistell gave Barnard Castle a great boost, they won 3-2 against Red House and move into third position. Despite having the bulk of the game the Castle trailed 1-0 at half time but they quickly levelled after the restart when a free kick taken by Waistell rebounded off the bar and was put away by John Machern. Red House came back strongly and regained the lead but Geoff White equalised with a powerful drive from an acute angle and then virtually won the game when he shot home a cross from Murdoch.

In Division Three Wingate turned in a bright display to defeat Durham City Strollers 3-1 away. The first half was very even but a misplaced back allowed Wingate to go two up and two further defensive slip-ups saw Wingate leading 3-0. Steve Greenham scored with a spot kick to reduce the arrears 1-3 for the Strollers.

Cleveland Bridge, Darlington defeated Houghton Cricket Club 3-0 at home and are now in second place and challenging for promotion. John Robson gave them an interval lead are then made it 2-0 shortly after the restart. Kevin McStranwick settled the issue when he scored to make it 3-0. Micky Nelson shone as centre back for the Bridge.

Billingham Town are having an unfortunate run where they are just failing to score despite playing good football. They lost 0-1 away to the leaders Hylton Castle.

In Division Four Darlington Railway are a much improved side scoring six and four goals in their last two matches, they won 6-1 away to the Half Way House.

In a cracking game West Cornforth lost 1-0 away to the leaders South Shields Lake. Alan Tooley scoring the decisive goal. Keeper Steve Jennings had an excellent game, he pulled off several fantastic saves. Billy Mason also starred.

Consett are still a side to consider for promotion, they won 5-3 away to Livingstones and with games in hand are a viable proposition