WEARSIDE LEAGUE
by MALCOLM PRATT
 
Ryhope CW  roared to an emphatic victory over neighbours Silksworth and are  now only two points adrift of table-topping Scarborough Town.
 
Chris  Linstedt  returned  to  the club he left in the summer  but  it  was  his replacement Martin Swales who celebrated.
 
Linstedt did an outstanding job at Ryhope and Swales is continuing the good work of the former manager.
 
John  Butler fired the home side in front from the penalty spot but Jordan Crake quickly levelled with a header from a corner.
 
Just  before the interval Richard Jordan restored the advantage to the home side and  when they had the better of the second period, Ryhope went nap courtesy  of Butler, Shaun Petch and Paul Hartley.
 
Following a goal-less first half, Ashbrooke Belford House and Easington Colliery shared the points in a six-goals thriller.
 
Martin Deacon gave Ashbrooke the lead but the Colliers quickly hit back and were 3-1 up through Chris Tarn, Robert Huntley and Lee Davison until the 85th minute.
 
Battling  Belford  were  given a lifeline by Alan Young and in the  last  minute Deacon headed in the equaliser.
 
Boldon  CA trailed from the eighth minute at Cleator Moor Celtic following Craig Padley's clinical finish from 20 yards. Chris Robinson scrambled in an equaliser but Celtic emerged winners with Barry Irving's clever lob over goalkeeper Andrew Hunter.
 
Jarrow  moved into fourth position with a comfortable victory over second-bottom Willington.
 
Chris  Lunn beat three defenders before firing past goalkeeper Chris Sawyer  and just before the interval Jonathan Matthews also produced a good finish.
 
Despite  the heroics of Willington keeper Sawyer, Jarrow made it three after  an hour  when Lee Buglass delivered a stunning free kick into the top corner of the net.
 
Hartlepool  remain  third  from  the basement after losing by the  odd  goal  to Wolviston  whose marksmen were Anthony Brown and Scott Mehan. Chris Birbeck  had equalised for Pools.
 
Coxhoe Athletic claimed their first point of the season in a goal-less draw with Annfield  Plain.  Coxhoe have still managed only four goals in 10 games but  are now within striking distance of Willington.
 
Four  sides  were involved in the North Riding Senior Cup.  Leaders  Scarborough Town  hammered  New Marske 7-2, Kirkbymoorside defeated Redcar Rugby Club by  an only  goal while Guisborough Town made their exit at the hands of Old Malton  St Mary's.