Sunday 21st September

Burnside up for the fight in tough cup tie with West Rainton

Burnside WMC had to fight from a goal down to win through in their Durham County Sunday Cup second preliminary round tie against West Rainton.

Rainton scored a peach of a goal in the first few minutes, but the home side started to get on top and a clinical half-volley finish from Craig Ellison drew them level.

A poor challenge outside the box as Burnside attacked ended with a heated argument and two sendings off in the 35th minute.

The tie remained tight, but Burnside pressed in the first 20 minute of the second half and, after creating several chances, hitting the crossbar and having balls cleared off the line, they were finally rewarded as Kriss Jobling coolly slotted home what proved to be the winner.

Rainton pressed hard for an equaliser, but brave defending, and a little luck, kept them at bay.

Houghton Wild Boar All Stars progressed with a fine 5-2 win at Stanley Ball Alley.

Rob Thompson’s first-half brace put Houghton two ahead at the break, and an excellent Dan Johnston goal made it 3-0, cleverly flicking the ball through the defender’s legs, turning and firing home from 20 yards.

James Blanchard pulled one back before Nick Thompson increased Houghton’s lead.

The home side then had Chris Killeen sent off and Johnston capitalised to hit a fifth. Aaron Whelans netted a Stanley consolation goal in the dying moments.

Houghton Chilton Lodge despatched Boldon Crown with an 8-1 cruise.

Dan Olsen fired a close-range opener, then Iain Macpherson took the game by the scruff of the neck, grabbing his second County Cup hat-trick, including an assist from left-back Stephen Hall, a penalty and a cool finish after controlling a long free-kick with his chest.

Macpherson struck again twice on the restart, with Ross Meenaghan also netting a double.

Bryan Marley had a day to remember, firing four goals as Sherburn Village routed hosts Hartlepool Raglan 6-1, backed by strikes from John Dodds and Billy Ellis

Bishop Middleham led with a fifth-minute Ian Brabon header, but they trailed by the break and finishing up losing 5-1 at Hartlepool Central.

Birtley Coach and Horses cruised to a 7-1 win over Wear United, with the game switched to Birtley because the Sunderland side could not provide changing facilities.

Pelton Crown crashed 8-0 at Hartlepool Avenue, while Ferryhill Dynamos won on penalties after a 2-2 draw at Sunderland’s Harbour View and Chester Garden Farm eased home 4-1 at Cockton Hill WMC in Bishop Auckland.

Hilda Park were walloped 6-0 by visitors Washington Westwood, but Ouston Cherry Tree enjoyed a 5-3 win at Sunderland side Stumble Inn, Brandon Sports Club beat Hartlepool Pot House 4-2, High Handenhold Bird Inn hammered Shildon Timothy Hackworth 6-0 and Langley Park edged through on penalties after a 0-0 draw with Consett Barn.

Helton New Inn held their nerve to send New Brancepeth WMC crashing out of the Stonebridge Inn League Cup.

An own goal and a disputed penalty in the first 20 minutes gave New Inn the ideal platform, and though Brancepeth rallied in the second half, they could only manage one goal back, scored by Matthew Bennett.

Sacriston Cricket Club started sloppily and allowed hosts Bowburn to strike first, but the visitors turned the screw to level with a magnificent effort from Graham Emblazon.

They ran the show, finishing 8-1 winners, with Anthony Ward firing a hat-trick. James Thornton added a long-range cracker, with Michael Frazer, Andrew Collinson and John Harrison also netting.

Pelton RAOB outgunned Pelaw Grange Dogs 6-2 in their Premier Division derby.

The opener came on the half hour when Michael Graver’s cross was headed into his own net by Craig Howlett. Graver added a deflected second, then Joe Kerry was given time and space to make it three by half-time.

Jordan Stevens roused Pelaw with a screamer of a volley, but Kerry struck twice in three minutes to seal the visitors’ fate. Stevens slotted home a David Jeffers through ball to cut the deficit to 5-2, but Graver had the last word with Buffs’ sixth.

Chester Britannia put on a good show at home to Sedgefield St Edmund’s, but paid the price for the failure to take their chances as the more clinical visitors won 3-1.

Ash Balfour struck for Brit, but Kevin Hodgson, Stephen Flockett and Brian Fairhurst all beat man-of-the-match home keeper Michael Redshaw.

Washington Jays came from behind to secure a straightforward 4-2 Third Division win at home to High Shincliffe Avenue.

Anthony Fletcher’s mistake let Avenue in for the opener, against the run of play, but Adam Hill instantly levelled, converting after a great run and cross from Craig Crosby.

Hill fired Jays in front, after latching onto a through ball, then he hit the bar with a looping header before sealing his hat-trick, bulletin home a Philip Murray centre.

Michael Alcock powered home another header for 4-1 before the visitors hit a late reply.

Houghton proved too strong for Lumley Snooker Club in a 4-1 home success.

James Carman’s back-post header had Houghton on top, but Lumley levelled with a well-placed free-kick from the edge of the area.

Danny Grant then took centre stage, restoring the lead with a close-range deflected effort.

He received a through ball on 60 minutes and rounded the keeper to slot home, then completed his hat-trick with a long-range effort. Levi Scott stood out.

Jack Carr’s treble steered Durham County to an 8-0 drubbing of Chester-le-Street AFC.

Connor Turnbull, Melvin Bell, Stanley Ogunsuyi, Andrew Bartle and Alex Hird also notched, with Chris Brown starring.

Dubmire WMC succumbed 5-1 at Sedgefield SC.

Bede Lodge SC outgunned Pittington 4-0 to kick-start their season in Division Two, with Daniel Mann and David Duke both striking twice, while Sean Richardson was star man.

Framwellgate Moor WMC won 4-2 at Ushaw Moor Cricket Club, for whom James Richardson fired both consolations.

Ferryhill Celtic dominated from start to finish in a 7-0 drubbing of Kelloe WMC, whose top performer was Michael Hogg.

It was only 2-0 at the break, but Celtic ran out easy winners, thanks to Luke Thompson’s treble, backed by Shane Todd (2), Kieran Weeks and Andrew Agar.

Durham Federation capitalised on a poor display from Ouston Juniors to run out convincing and deserved 6-1 victors in Division Four.

Ben Pearson plundered a hat-trick for hard-working Federation, with Jason Winn, Callum Adamson and sub Stuart Ross also on target. Debutant Liam Scanlin fired Ouston’s consolation.

Lumley showed no mercy in a 10-0 hammering of newcomers Durham Buffaloes Head, with four-goal Dave Lucas leading the way.

Michael Smith and Dan Melvin added doubles, with Dan Jowett and Brett Russell also netting. Sam Morris shone for Buffaloes.

Witton Gilbert Travellers Rest shared the spoils with Eppleton CC in a 4-4 thriller. David Callcutt fired a hat-trick for Witton, with sub Connor Butterfield also on target.

Newton Hall Jovial Monk recovered from the loss of an early goal to beat Bearpark 7-2.

Nathan Holmes’ free-kick eluded everyone as Bearpark struck first, but David Wile levelled, when a corner was not cleared and Monk stormed 4-1 up as Matt Williams cut in and fired a terrific curler into the corner, before Russ Harris and Adam Baister added fine goals.

Wile’s header and a left-foot finish completed his “perfect” hat-trick by the interval. Williams’ speculative shot was dropped