Match Reports for week ending 06th March 2010
12/03/10 16:11 Filed in: Match Reports
In the First Division, the Arms City Coachworks title chances look slim as they were held to a 3-3 draw by a battle hardened Saltgrass FC. The Arms have had a sudden dip in form and must now win their BIG games that they have got coming up.
Goals from Chris Bewick, Richard Timm and Scott Tench had the Arms in control, but Saltgrass under the influence of star man John Higham rallied and hit back to grab a precious point thanks to goals from David Wilkonson, Ian Old and Martin Adams. The Arms star man was Gavin Lafferty.
The Cove had their best chance of the season to secure their first win, but they somehow let a 3-0 lead slip and were undone by Usworth FC who staged a remarkable comeback to clinch the three points with a 4-3 win.
The Cove got off to the perfect start as Oxley ran with the ball from his own half before calmly slotting the ball past the keeper to give his side an unexpected lead. It got even better for the Cove as Steven Davison scored right on half time to give his side a two goal advantage. 5 minutes into the second half and the Cove were in dreamland as Steven Davison hit his second goal of the game to give his side an unassailable lead.
Usworth had other ideas and a touchline rollicking from their manager seemed to kick them into gear as man of the match Andy Makin kickstarted their comeback with a fine goal. The introduction of supersub Andy Murray seemed to pay dividends as he scored two cracking goals to haul his side level. The Cove were looking to hold on to grab a vital point, but it was not to be as Ben Waggott hit the winning goal for Usworth in the 90th minute. Steve Lisle starred for The Cove.
League leaders Washington Cricket Club continued their push for title honours with a convincing 8-1 win against new boys to the league, East Durham Spartans.
Washington controlled possession in the early stages of the game, but found the visitors hard to break down as they were well marshalled by their skipper. The home sides pressure finally took effect with Phil Ingram slotting home after a fine pass from David Fittes. It was soon 2-0 as David Fittes rose to head in from a corner.
Shortly after the resumption Washington increased their lead, again from a corner, the ball was headed clear to the edge of the box where Phil Ingram controlled and finished with poise into the top corner. The 4th followed minutes later when David Fittes chased down a long ball, and as the keeper attempted to clear, the ball was deflected back towards the goal eventually rolling over the line.
Phil Ingram completed his hattrick, spinning well in the box to turn the ball in from close range. The visitors responded well, going close on two occasions when a header clipped the bar from a corner, and a shot hitting the post minutes later.
However they could not contain the home side when substitute Costa Loraine headed powerfully into the top corner to notch his first goal for the club. Another goal followed, from a corner as the ball flew across the goal where Anthony Dixon headed in from close range. The rout was finally complete as Stephen Cuthbertson fired home. Spartans did manage to score a late consolation with a suspiciously offside goal, when Scot Jackson ran clear to slot the ball under the keeper.
Lee Wood was star performer for the Spartans.
Elsewhere, Times Inn were full value in their 2-1 success against Shiney Row Country Park Inn at Thompson Park.
The semi final line-up for the Wearmouth and Hylton Aged Peoples Trophy is now complete as Colonel Prior turned on the style as they hammered Hylton CW 5-0 to win their quarter final clash.
The Prior were irrepressible all game and could have won by a hatful but they squandered chance after chance. Man of the match Andy Smith led the way with a well taken brace and was assisted with further strikes from Jonathon Glenwright, Paul Richardson and Steven ‘Zico’ Richardson.
The Prior’s reward for their win is a semi final clash against Redhouse.
Blue House progressed in the Alan hood Memorial Trophy as they won their last 16 clash against Hylton CW Juniors 5-2. Blue House had Hylton on the back foot straight away playing some lovley football and it was no surprise when they took the lead as Keith Lonsdale gleefully tapped the ball home after the visiting keeper had fumbled a James Gilhespy free kick. Blue House simply had too much class for the opponents and it was soon 2-0 as Martin Hope scored with a 20 yard half volley from a defenders woeful clearance. Hylton Colliery Juniors gave themselves a chance to get back in it as they converted a penalty. This did not deter the East End side as they went in search of more goals and they were rewarded with their 3rd goal as Martin Hope grabbed his second goal of the game as he lashed the ball into the top corner following a fine pass from Brian Carter.
It was a pretty slow start to the second half by both teams with most of the ball staying in the middle of the park but that all changed when James Gilhespy ran down the left wing and whipped the ball in for Martin Ghandi Hope to dummy it Pele style onto the foot of Brian ‘Club Foot’ Carter who struck it past the keeper to put his side 4-1 up and the tie out out of the reach of a sorry Hylton side.
Hylton, though to their credit kept going and did manage to pull another goal back to make it 2-4, but all hope of a great comeback was put out of sight when John Bewick crossed it for Martin Hope to tap the ball into the net to complete a fantastic hattrick. Jordan ‘Ginger Skin’ Thompson was star man again for Blue House.
Blue House were rewarded for their win with a mouthwatering quarter final clash against Jolly Potters.
In the TWR Comercial League Challenge Cup, Jolly Potters progressed to the next round at the expense of luckless Hendon FC with a fine 5-3 victory.
Michael Wharton was the hero for the Potters as he hit four goals as was joined on the scoresheet by Paul Thompson. Hendon hit back with goals from Kyle Sumner (2) and man of the match Lee ‘flamingo legs’ Owens.
In the same competition, Chesters BB also won through to the next round as they defeated an unlucky Colliery Tavern 3-2. Goals from Dan Makin, Dean McKeown and Marc Stephenson saw Rob King’s side home. Anthony Peel was Chesters star performer.
In the only Premier Division game to be played, Aquatic Sports did their title chances a world of good as the annihilated Dawdon CW 9-1 to keep the pressure on leaders Jolly Potters.
Aquatic were in imperious form as hero Scott Hailstone hit a well taken hattrick, this was his second hattrick in successive weeks. Also amongst the goals were Carl Old (2), Alan Palin, Simon Pennock and Mark Dickinson.
Team Head Coach, David Hoey was full of praise for his side following the victory saying “ The lads were terrific today and are beginning to realise the potential and now know what is at stake. The title race is far from over and I would love it, just love it if we could win the title. I’m telling ya just love it”.