THE THREE leading sides all won on Saturday but whereas Ryhope CW and Scarborough Town enjoyed five-goal romps, just one goal proved sufficient for Cleator Moor Celtic.

Leaders Ryhope were held by Houghton Town until the 47th minute but once man-ofthe- match John Butler broke the deadlock, it was one-way traffic.

Richard Jordan doubled his side’s lead after being put through by Butler who then completed his hat-trick to take his total for the season to 24 goals. Just before the end, Dean Arkley completed a 5-0 victory.

Scarborough Town remain six points behind Ryhope with a game in hand. They too went nap at home to Jarrow who failed to reply.

Josh Greening and Nathan Cooke fired past visiting goalkeeper Tony Orr inside the opening half hour and in the second period Joe Danby (2) and Cooke swept their side to an emphatic victory.

Chances were few and far between as Cleator Moor Celtic visited Kirkbymoors.

With 20 minutes remaining Chris Thornton struck at the back post to earn the Cumbrians three crucial points.

After establishing a twogoals lead courtesy of Stephen Oakley and Danny O’Brien, Coxhoe Athletic went down 3-2 to New Marske.

Before the interval Shaun Howes reduced the deficit and midway through the second half Philip Peggs equalised.

The game was into stoppage time as Richard Playforth’s shot rebounded from the underside of the crossbar and into the net.

Aaron Robertson was an early scorer for Annfield Plain but almost immediately Boldon CA’s Chris Robinson restored parity.

On the stroke of half-time Lewis Harrison struck and near the end he again scored to ease the Plain to a 3-1 victory.

There was only a minute left on the clock as Easington Colliery claimed a winning goal against bottom-of-thetable Willington.

Rob Huntley converted a 55th-minute penalty when his brother James was brought down. Josh Binks raised Willington’s hopes of causing an upset.

The game was heading for a draw but in the 89th minute Peter Crawford lobbed goalkeeper Chris Sawyer.

Guisborough Town HC made the long journey to Windscale and improved their position when Junior Masambi scored the only goal five minutes from the end.