Sunderland RCA striker Alex Benjamin scored his second hat trick in as many games in his side’s 7-0 romp over Guisborough in the STL Northern League last night.

Benjamin scored three last Saturday against Norton, and he opened the scoring in the early minutes to set his side on their way.

After a Lee Owens’ shot rebounded off a defender into the net for the second after that, Benjamin and fellow striker Mark Davison ran riot. Davison also helped himself to a hat trick to help RCA climb into third place. Benjamin is now the joint top league scorer with 18 goals. Guisborough manager Chris Hardy said: "Square pegs in round holes and poor performances across the board meant for a 7-0 drubbing."

Sunderland RCA manager Neil Hixon said: "We played very well in the first half and led 2-0. In the second half it was a fantastic team performance and it finished 7-0, but it could have been double figures."

In the second division, second bottom Horden picked up a good point from a goalless draw against promotion chasing Gillford Park. Manager Brian honour said: "It was a hard earned point against a team that is going well. I'm very happy with our performance."

Hebburn’s promotion chances took a severe knock when they were thumped 5-0 at home by third bottom Whitehaven, and manager Paul Bennett blasted: "Disgraceful, inept, lazy players. Some of them are living on reputations and names. All of the players have been told to consider their futures, as I'm questioning mine. Fair play to Whitehaven and congrats to them on an excellent result."

In the Ernest Armstrong Memorial Cup, Whickham won 5-2 at Chester-le-Street, mainly thanks to two quick goals by Dom Elliott and another by Johnny Mann in the first 20 minutes. New signing Tom Vickers scored one of the goals for Chester, whose manager Anth Smith said: "Whickham started brightly, and were 3-0 down. We rallied and got back to 3-2 before half time andthought we would go on and push second half, but Whickham dominated."

Ashington were knocked out of the Sage Northumberland Senior Cup by 2-0, both goals scored by Aussie midfielder Brad Inman.

Bedlington’s home game with Shildon tonight is in doubt because the recent high winds have damaged the floodlights. A decision is due at lunchtime on Wednesday.

STL Northern League Division One, Sunderland RCA 7 (Benjamin 3, Davison 3, Og) Guisborough 0 Division Two.

Hebburn 0 Whitehaven 5 (Connolly 2, Dunn, Donat, Robson), Horden 0 Gillford Park 0 Ernest Armstrong Memorial Cup.

Chester-le-Street 2 (Curry, Vickers) Whickham 5 (Elliott 2, McKenna 2, Mann).

Sage Northumberland Senior Cup.

Newcastle United Reserves 2 (Inman 2) Ashington 0