WEARSIDE LEAGUE
by MALCOLM PRATT
 
Easington  Colliery  were  involved in a six-goals thriller before  exiting  the Monkwearmouth Charity Cup when Guisborough Town won 5-3 on penalties.
 
Stephen  Kilpatrick was an early marksman for the visitors and Chris Tarn missed a penalty for the Colliers before Philip Poulton sent Guisborough in with a two- goals cushion.
 
Rob  Huntley  then restored parity, converting two penalties which were  awarded within  a  minute and amazingly he completed his hat-trick from the spot in  the first period of extra time.
 
With  just  four  minutes  remaining,  Poulton scored his  second  goal  of  the afternoon to set up a penalty shoot-out.
 
Colin  Thornton emulated Rob Huntley's performance when he rifled all four goals in  Cleator Moor Celtic's 4-2 defeat of Kirkbymoorside for whom Alex  Strickland and Daryl Rivis replied.
 
Ashbrooke  Belford House went out of the Wearside League Cup to New Marske.  Sam Crookes  beat goalkeeper Greg Dixon after half an hour and 20 minutes from  time Sam Dawson just about ended the Wearsiders' hopes.
 
Boldon  CA were the biggest scorers of the day when they hit Coxhoe Athletic for six.
 
Michael Owens cancelled out the home side's early strike but this was their only success  and it was at the other end that the goals flowed from Stephen Telford, with a hattrick, Shaun Carroll (2) and David Hopper.
 
After  establishing  a  two-goals  advantage inside half an  hour,  courtesy  of Stephen Liddle and Liam Bell, Annfield Plain had to withstand late pressure from Windscale after Peter O'Donnell threw the Cumbrians a lifeline.
 
In  a  reduced League programme, Houghton Town returned to winning form  with  a narrow victory over Willington at Leyburn Grove.
 
Mark  Robinson  fired  into the net following an excellent  build-up  but  goals immediately  before and after the interval from Harry Drummond and Martin  Scott put the visitors in front.
 
Mark Catheside was introduced as a substitute and with his first touch equalised and eight minutes from time Robinson claimed the winner.
 
Scarborough Town extended their lead at the top to four points when an only goal by  Robert  Hawkes  proved sufficient  at  Wolviston  and  Teesside  Athletic leap-frogged  Ryhope CW, who had a free day, with victory over Hartlepool thanks to Andrew Bell and James Kesterton.