Weekend Round Up – Division Two – Saturday 15th March 2025

Matches Played Friday, 14th March

Billingham Town 1 – 5 Thornaby

Thornaby returned to form in style, securing a dominant 5-1 win over local rivals Billingham Town. Twinn opened the scoring in the 29th minute with a strike into the top corner, and Wright quickly followed with a header from a Jones cross. Wright added his second just before halftime, giving the visitors a commanding lead. Twinn’s long-range effort early in the second half slipped through the keeper’s hands for Thornaby’s fourth. With first-choice keeper Wilkinson forced off injured, player-manager Jamie Poole stepped in between the sticks. Booth added a fifth, and while Billingham managed a late goal, it was nothing more than a consolation.

Chester-le-Street Town 1 – 2 Washington

Washington staged a late comeback to snatch a rare victory, their third in 38 matches. Chester-le-Street took the lead through Huddleston with 15 minutes to go, seemingly breaking Washington’s resilience. However, Wilson equalized in the 86th minute, and in stoppage time, Washington were awarded a penalty. O’Neil converted from the spot to seal an unexpected win.

Esh Winning 4 – 0 Sunderland RCA

Esh Winning climbed to fourth place with a dominant win over Sunderland RCA. Debutant Pinder opened the scoring in the 30th minute and doubled his tally just before halftime. Brown added a third early in the second half, and Judson rounded off the victory with a fourth, securing a comfortable home win.

Horden CW 0 – 0 Yarm & Eaglescliffe

League leaders Horden and second-placed Yarm & Eaglescliffe played out a goalless draw, keeping Horden two points clear with four matches remaining. Yarm missed a golden opportunity to take an early lead, with Atkinson’s penalty saved inside the opening 15 seconds. Both sides had chances, but neither could break the deadlock. Horden’s keeper was sent off in the final minutes for bringing down Atkinson, yet Yarm couldn’t capitalize, and the match ended level.

Matches Played Saturday, 15th March

Jarrow 4 – 0 Bedlington Town

Jarrow cemented their third-place position with a comfortable four-goal victory. Ions opened the scoring in the eighth minute, with Brennan doubling the lead before halftime. Johnston added a third midway through the second half and completed his brace 14 minutes from time, securing an emphatic win.

Alnwick Town 1 – 0 Prudhoe YC Seniors

Alnwick continued their impressive form with a narrow victory over Prudhoe YC Seniors. The visitors suffered an early blow when goalkeeper Wilson was sent off for handling outside the box in the 23rd minute. Alnwick took advantage, scoring through Aziakorov in the 36th minute. The hosts were also reduced to ten men late on when Aziakorov saw red, but they held on to claim the win.

Billingham Synthonia 1 – 3 Redcar Town

Redcar Town secured an away win at Billingham Synthonia. Storr opened the scoring in the 17th minute, with Smith getting the final touch. Five minutes later, Pope set up Clarkson for Redcar’s second. Priestley pulled one back for Synthonia, but Storr restored Redcar’s two-goal cushion before halftime. Storr later missed a penalty, but Redcar had already done enough to take the points.

Darlington Town 1 – 0 Boldon CA

Darlington Town claimed a hard-fought victory over an improving Boldon CA side. After an even first half with chances at both ends, the decisive goal came six minutes from time. Bondarenko initiated the move and finished at the second attempt after his initial shot was saved, securing a vital three points.

Newcastle University 2 – 1 FC Hartlepool

Newcastle University snatched a late winner to defeat FC Hartlepool. Foster put the hosts ahead in the 26th minute, but McGee equalized just before halftime. The match remained evenly contested until Milner struck an 89th-minute winner from a flicked-on throw-in.

Sunderland West End 3 – 0 Grangetown Boys Club

West End’s strong form continued as they moved up to eighth place. Benali scored in first-half stoppage time before Anderson added a second early in the second half. Benali struck again in the 58th minute to seal the victory.