WHITLEY Bay consolidated fourth place in the Ebac Northern League First Division when they hit relegation-threatened Billingham Town for six at Hillheads last night.
The result was effectively settled within the opening 38 minutes by which time the Seahorses led through Chris Fawcett, James Fairley, Paul Robertson and Paul Chow.
Billingham improved at the start of the second half but Whitley came back strongly.
Chow converted a penalty and Fairley added to the woes of the Teessiders who had to substitute goalkeeper Danny Molyneux with Ryan Hudson at the interval.
Ashington defeated Durham City by the odd goal – three of the five goals scored in the final four minutes.
Andrew Johnson’s 17th-minute strike had the Colliers ahead for an hour before Paul Dixon levelled.
With just two minutes of normal time remaining, Glen Taylor was on target and in the 90th minute Marc Walton added a third goal but in added time, Ollie Hotchkiss converted a penalty for the Citizens.
Hebburn succumbed to West Auckland Town, who were full value for a 3-0 win. Mattie Moffat gave the visitors a 12th-minute lead and within a minute he was again on target. Just before the interval he was first to react from a rebound to complete a hat-trick.
Consett left it late before claiming a point at Billingham Synthonia, who went in front courtesy of Shane Liddle. There were only eight minutes left on the clock as Michael Mackay beat the offside trap and goalkeeper Tim Griffiths.
Sunderland RCA fielded a weakened side at Celtic Nation who maintain a top half of the table rating with a 2-1 victory.
Stephen Archibald fired past Craig Shields from 10 yards and just prior to the interval Nick Kane volleyed in RCA’s equaliser. The Cumbrians clinched the winning goal 16 minutes from the end when Stephen Skinner curled an 18 yard shot past RCA goalkeeper Craig Shields.
Newcastle Benfield defeated South Shields for the second time in a week when Gary Day and Stephen Young were on target.
In Division Two, Alnwick Town picked up a useful point at home to Brandon United, for whom Steve Moody scored both goals.
Brian Murray also netted twice for Alnwick.
An only goal by Scott Donaldson proved sufficient for Chester-le-Street against Thornaby at Chester Moor Park.
Whickham bowed out of the Ernest Armstrong Memorial Cup to Darlington RA, whose marksmen were Stephen Allison (2), James Muir (pen) and Martin Butterworth.
Scott Swanson claimed a consolation goal for the Glebemen.
MALCOLM PRATT
