Sunday 20th March 2016

Armstrong gives Lodge survival fight a derby lift-off

Houghton Chilton Lodge moved off the bottom of the First Division thanks to a hard-earned 1-0 derby win over Houghton Wild Boar All-Stars.

Anth Armstrong grabbed the only goal of the game on 20 minutes. His initial effort was saved by keeper Sean Simpson, however the ball bounced back off Armstrong into the net.

Ross Meenaghan was Lodge’s star man as they completed a league derby double over Boar – incredibly their only two league victories this term.

Chris Rogerson was outstanding for Boar.

Ouston Cherry Tree stepped up their title push with a 3-1 defeat of Waldridge Park, their 10th win in 13 league games.

Waldridge showed little signs of rustiness after their weather-enforced break, but they fell behind to Andrew Clarkson’s goal, the striker finishing well after getting on the end of a long ball.

Waldridge began to take control and drew level when Jamie Taylor’s left-wing cross was met by Chris Days, whose looping header hit the top corner of the net.

Days was denied a second by a fine block by keeper Dominic McMahon, who then survived a penalty appeal.

Paul Chilton fired Ouston ahead from the spot before Clarkson made it 3-1, breaking free to fire past keeper Andrew Shambrook.

Durham County Seniors were held to a 1-1 draw by Chester Park Inn, who produced an excellent fighting display capped by a fine strike from star man Aaron Walker.

Scott Henderson notched for County, whose man of the match was keeper David Pritchard.

West Rainton pipped Ferryhill Dynamoes 3-2, striking late on for the winner after the visitors had pegged them back in the closing stages.

John Horn, Philip Steel and sub Craig Taylor struck,with Jonathan Mason and Kurt Seymour responding.

Second-top Burnside WMC romped home 6-1 against Sedgefield SC to secure a 10th win in 11 Division Three games, with doubles from Craig Ellison and Lewis Turnbull doing the damage.

Star man Lee Knight and sub Dan Cummings also netted.

Washington Jays shared the goals around as they beat Lumley Snooker Club 4-2.

Chris Cook, Adam Hill, Dan Robson and Philip Murray struck, with Alex Whitcombe man of the match.

Hetton New Inn and Dubmire WMC drew 2-2, to stay fourth-bottom and third-bottom respectively.

Dubmire led, but New Inn hit back to go 2-1 up only to be pegged back late on. Stephen Donkin bagged both Dubmire goals.

David Harrison enjoyed a day to savour for Chilton WMC, hitting all four goals in a 4-0 Premier Division defeat of Brandon Sports Club.

Home keeper Ben Hunter made some excellent saves to deny battling Brandon, who missed a penalty, a way back into the game.

Philip Solan starred for Brandon.

Sacriston Cricket Club consolidated second place thanks to a 1-0 victory at Hilda Park.

Chris Watson hit the woodwork for Hilda, with the hosts’ man of the match tormenting Sacriston throughout.

Spirited Hilda had a goal disallowed before Danny O’Brien hit an 85th-minute winner for the visitors.

Pelton RAOB cruised to a 6-1 home success against Sacriston WMC to climb to third place, inspired by clinical hat-tricks from Luke Kerry and Craig Mickle. Alex Peake was star man.

Sedgefield St Edmund’s came from 1-0 and 3-1 down to draw 3-3 at Pelaw Grange Dogs, with Andrew Beamson hitting their first and John Maddison and man of the match Jack Marley both striking to rescue a point in the final three minutes.

Two-goal Jordan Stevens and Michael Redshaw, who headed home a David Jeffers cross, notched for Pelaw, with Ian Johnson starring.

Understrength Ushaw Moor Cricket Club worked hard to limit unbeaten Ferryhill Celtic to a 2-0 victory in Division Two.

They only conceded following sloppy individual errors as Jonny Agar’s double, including a free-kick, did the damage as Celtic’s 14th win out of 14 took them top of the table.

Keeper Michael Watson shone for Moor.

Framwellgate Moor WMC lost top spot with a 2-1 defeat at Pelton Crown.

Moor took the lead against the run of play, Lewis Coburn netting, but Crown were rewarded for their fighting performance when Keith Lines’ quick free-kick hit the back of the net.

Ten minutes from time, Kris Lawton finished off a through ball for Crown’s winner.

David Pratt starred for Fram.

Bishop Middleham dominated throughout but were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw with Pittington, whose keeper produced a string of top-class saves.

Callum Bramwell and Chris Baxter struck for Bishop, who led twice, with Philip Best star man.

Kelloe WMC were crushed 8-1 at High Handenhold Bird Inn, who made their chances count.

Marc Wood fired a clinical hat-trick for Bird, who opened up with a magnificent 25-yarder from Chris Hodgeson. Jack McRobbie added a double, with Jonathan Swift and Lee Johnson, who finished off a great cross from the outstanding Shane Swift, completing the scoring.

Star man Michael Hogg hit injury-ravaged Kelloe’s consolation.

Bowburn defeated Ouston Juniors 3-1 in a very evenly-fought game to maintain their Third Division title push.

Lee Jennings fired home an early Bowburn penalty, after Adam Kirk was fouled by keeper Keith Bell.

Sean McGrail drove home a left-footed second on the hour after good link-up play, but Ouston rallied when Calin Winship converted a penalty after a foul by Ben Uttley.

But Jennings hit Bowburn’s winner from close range in the 77th minute.

Dan Crisp shone for the hosts, with Ivan Moxon best for Ouston.

Leaders Lumley enjoyed a fine 5-2 success at Bearpark, with star man David Lucas firing a hat-trick.

Dan Melvin and Ross Hughes also netted.

Newton Hall Jovial Monk moved up to fourth place thanks to a 3-1 win over Durham Federation.

Mark Emmerson’s goalline clearance kept Monk level in a tight first half, and Federation stormed ahead with a cracking 25-yarder on 50 minutes.

Three minutes later, David Grindley levelled with a brilliantly placed 30-yard effort, then sub Graham Thompson played in Matt Williams to put Monk ahead.Russ Harris ensured all three points with a goal from a corner late on.

Washington Cricket Club edged past Langley Park 2-1 in the JD Taxis Guards Cup fourth round.

The closely-fought tie remained goalless until the 75th minute, when Lewis Jopling was brought down in the box and Andrew Elliott stepped up to convert the resulting penalty.

Langley piled the pressure on and were rewarded with an equaliser from sub Tony Rutter, but Washington won it when Kyle Dinsdale played a superb through ball to Elliott, who stayed composed to score three minutes from time.

Washington Sandpiper opened and closed the scoring in a 4-2 defeat at home to Newton Aycliffe WMC in their Ramside Hall Hotel Cup-Winners’ Cup semi-final.

Ross Docherty had Sandpiper in front, but Warren Byrne soon levelled. Ian Brown kept Sandpiper in the game with some fine saves, but Byrne, Aaron Wright and sub Kieran Megran, back after a long lay-off, sealed victory before Craig Smith replied.

Sunday 6th March

Mawson seals cup final date for Garden Farm

Chester Garden Farm RAR clinched their place in the Stepy’s Coaches President’s Trophy final, beating Durham County 1-0.

In a well-contested tie, Garden Farm created most of the chances and finally took one, with Robbie Mawson’s strike proving enough.

Michael Barron starred for Farm, with Joe Jenkinson best for County.

They meet Burnside WMC in the final on April 8.

On a day when only 13 games got the green light, Burnside secured a convincing 4-0 Third Division win at Sedgefield SC.

The home keeper had to make some good saves before Burnside made the breakthrough, with Dan Cummings’ inch-perfect cross met with a well-guided header from Max Stoker.

It was 2-0 straight after the break with some great link-up play in the box for Cummjngs to coolly slot home.

Sedgefield’s keeper kept the score at 2-0 with some acrobatic saves which he had no right to make, though he stood no chance with Paul Gardner’s 40-yard piledriver into the top corner.

Darren Moody made some fine saves to keep Burnside on top, and the visitors added a fourth when Craig Ellison burst late into the box to fizz one into the bottom corner for his 40th of the season.

Lumley Snooker Club cruised to a 4-1 win over Chester-le-Street AFC, hitting all four goals before the interval. Kicking downhill played a major part in Lumley’s first-half dominance.

Two great finishes, from Dan Young and Anth Jones, led the way, added to a brilliantly created chance strike from Jones.

The fourth was a lovely team move, with the ball curled into the top corner from outside the box by Rob Laws.

Elliot Rimington hit Chester’s second-half consolation. Alan Hall starred for Chester, Kevin Watson for Lumley.

Houghton Wild Boar All-Stars endured a 4-1 First Division beating on a very heavy Ferryhill Dynamos pitch – and are still not safe from the drop.

Ferryhill dominated the first half and turned around 2-0 up thanks to goals from Marco Oswald and Kurt Seymour. Seymour added a third on the hour mark, before Shaun Corner blasted home on 75 minutes to give Boar a lifeline. Seymour, though, added a well-worked fourth for Dynamos to complete his hat-trick.

Karl Anderson starred for Boar, with Stephen Ward best for Ferryhill.

Whitehills moved eight points clear thanks to a very hard-fought 2-1 win over relegation-threatened New Brancepeth WMC.

Richard Cousins made the breakthrough, volleying into the bottom corner from the edge of the box, with the help of a slight deflection, after Branceoeth failed to clear a throw from star man Stephen Fisher.

New Brancepeth were the better team on the restart and levelled with Anthony Bussey’s strike from the edge of the box.

Whitehills, though, snatched a stunning 70th-minute winner when James Blackburn ran onto a looping ball, as the visitors struggled to clear, and volleyed it goalwards from 30 yards, with the keeper unable to keep it out.

Brancepeth threw everything at the hosts late on, but the home defence held firm to see out the win.

Omar Moustafa stood out for Brancepeth in a magnificent all-round team performance.

Chilton WMC netted twice in the second half to secure a close-fought 2-1 Premier Division success at Pelaw Grange Dogs.

Star man Joe Cornbill, side footing home past Craig Bain, and Leam Dent, arriving unmarked to head home inside the six-yard box, earned Chilton the victory, while Dogs rallied strongly at the end and scored a late consolation goal, through sub Josh Donnelly, from a tight angle.

Jordan Stevens shone for Pelaw despite shooting straight at the keeper with two good chances and then, in the final seconds, shooting instead of passing to an unmarked team-mate.

Second-top Sacriston Cricket Club lost 3-2 at home to Sedgefield St Edmund’s in a real game of two halves.

Sacriston gifted Sedgefield two first-half goals, scored by John Maddison and Lewis Brown, and never got into the game until the visitors’ Glenn Donaldson scored a worldie 20-yard volley to make it 3-0.

Sacriston dominated the second half. A mistake by otherwise excellent keeper John Brown got them back into the game, then Gary Draper cut the deficit to 3-2.

Good defending and goalkeeping denied dominant Sacriston a point or more.

Craig Coates shone for Sacriston, Graham Kime for Saints.

Framwellgate Moor WMC beat Bishop Middleham 6-3 in Division Two, capitalising on some sloppy play by the visitors.

James Smith fired a hat-trick, with two-goal Watne Gardner and Lewis Coburn also netting. Jack Robson, captain Jonathan Hornsby and Kadam Lumsden-Parnaby tried in vain to rally Bishop.

Alan Hall starred for Moor.

Bede Lodge SC paid a heavy price for their mistakes as High Handenhold Bird Inn cruised to a deserved 5-1 away victory

It was 1-1 at the break, but Bird revelled in a Thomas Illingworth hat-trick, with Daniel Watkins and Jack McRobbie also on target. McRobbie also hit the bar, and Illingworth missed out in a one on one, as the visitors could have run riot.

Ben Thomas shone for Bird, with keeper Jordan Craggs best for Bede.

Pelton Crown were good 5-2 victors at Pittington, with Kris Lawton’s treble doing the damage.

Dean Stewart and John Morris also struck, with Brian Colledge and Josh Hugill responding. Keeper John Best shone for Pittington.

Ferryhill Celtic shared the spoils with Ferryhill Community Hub in a good derby.

Shane Todd had Celtic ahead at the break, but Hub rallied strongly to go 2-1 up through Nathan Wall’s double. Home pressure paid off as Marco Linhart levelled 10 minutes from time.

John Poulson shone for Hub, John Makepeace for Celtic.

There were only two games in Division Four. Lumley ran out 4-1 winners at home to Eppleton Cricket Club.

Brett Russell headed Lumley into the lead, but Lewis Cullen hauled Eppleton level.

Jonny Cossar fired Lumley back in front, super sub Ross Hughes made it 3-1 with his first touch and Cossar completed the scoring with his second. Michael Ambler stood out for Eppleton.

Witton Gilbert Travellers Rest returned to winning ways, outgunning Durham Federation 5-0.

David Calcutt opened the scoring early on with a good finish from Scott Bradley’s through pass, then made it 2-0, flicking a long throw through keeper George Barclay’s legs.

Dan Cooke bagged a second-half hat-trick, his second in four games, after harassing defenders into mistakes.

Adam Milburn stood out for Federation.

The league has set dates for all six domestic cup finals, which will all be played at New Ferens Park with a 7.30pm kick-off.

Friday, April 1: D&P Trophies Knockout Cup

Friday, April 8: Stepy’s Coaches President’s Trophy

Friday, April 22: Ramside Hall Hotel and Golf Club Cup

Friday, April 29: JD Taxis Guards Cup

Friday, May 6: Castle Insurance Alan Smith Memorial Trophy

Friday, May 13: Stonebridge Inn League Cup

Sunday 28th Feb 2016

Lowly Houghton Chilton Lodge threw away two points for the second week in a row in Division One, conceding to the very last kick in a 4-4 draw at Ouston Cherry Tree.

That leaves them facing an uphill relegation battle. Star man Adam Hinde (2), Iain Macpherson and Craig Johnson saw Chilton take a 4-1 lead only for the away side to lose their bottle when Ouston applied pressure.

Richard Brennan turned in Paul Chilton’s cross at the back post for Ouston’s first goal. Brennan turning provider for Jon Morrison to lash home for 4-2, then Brennan headed home after Morrison nodded on a cross from sub Reece Hutchinson.

Right on time, Chilton’s perfect cross was flicked in by centre-half Thomas Gray to seal a dramatic leveller.

Whitehills’ promotion push suffered a big blow with a 5-3 defeat at Ferryhill Dynamos.

After being 3-0 down inside 20 minutes, the visitors fought back and Joe Whelan converted a penalty, after being fouled himself, to throw Whitehills a lifeline. Ryan Grayson and James Mansell also notched before the break to haul Whitehills level.

Dynamos regained the lead 10 minutes from time, before wrapping up the win.

Houghton Wild Boar All-Stars edged home 3-2 against relegation fighters Chester Park Inn.

Park found themselves two down in the second half, Shaun Corner scoring the opener followed by a Liam Lusk penalty.

Another Lusk goal from close range put the home side 3-0 ahead. Houghton’s back line defended well throughout, and keeper Sean Simpson was man of the match, pulling off some excellent saves. However, with two minutes remaining Houghton lost their concentration and Paul Corlett and Andrew Jacques got two goals back. Damien Baston was Park Inn’s star performer

Coxhoe Red Lion and Durham County Seniors served up a thrilling 3-3 draw, with the home side rueing a mad five minutes.

Durham battled back from 3-1 down for a deserved draw with goals from Lee Walker, a smart half-volley, Josh Gregory and man of the match Ross Wilkinson. Sam Smallman, Lee Hutchinson and Jordan Stannard notched for Lion.

Washington Sandpiper pipped West Rainton 3-2 thanks to efforts from star man Adam Reay and two-goal Ross Docherty. Daniel Summerbell and Scott Redmayne netted for Rainton, whose star man was Jamie Bowes.

Burnside WMC hit back from two goals down to win 5-2 at Hetton New Inn in Division Three.

The home side stormed ahead with efforts from Welch and Keith Finch, but they conceded just before half-time, when Elliott Cutts struck. Burnside got a lift from their goal and they took control in the second half.

The introduction of Kriss Jobling and Lee Knight seemed to spur on the visitors, with Knight braying a ball down the line to Ellison, who set up Jobling to make it 2-2.

Max Stoker’s quick feet in the box proved too good for the Hetton back four as he put Burnside in front, then star man Craig Ellison struck twice late on, a cheeky chipped penalty and a simple finish to seal victory.

Chester Garden Farm secured all three points in a well-fought clash with Lumley Snooker Club, winning 3-1 thanks to effort from Tom Wray (2) and Ryan Johnson. Jordan Gibson starred.

Lumley got back into it with a near-post finish from Darren Finlay.

Quarrington Hill WMC battled to win 1-0 at Chester-le-Street AFC, scoring with their only shot on target, from Allan Tingley. Chester missed a second-half penalty.

Dubmire WMC claimed three good points with a hard-fought 3-2 home success against Washington Jays.

James Gardiner, Neil Cook and man of the match Stephen Donkin steered Dubmire home.

Framwellgate Moor WMC proved too strong for Ushaw Moor Cricket Club to claim a 3-1 win in Division Two.

Two-goal Lewis Coburn led the way, with James Smith also notching. Stevan Storey struck for Ushaw Moor, who rued their failure to match the home side’s work ethic.

Ferryhill Celtic impressed in a 3-1 win at Pelton Crown.

Celtic started well and led with a great goal from Luke Thompson. Pelton enjoyed a good spell and they levelled, but the visitors took command to seal victory with further goals from Dane Eltringham and Thompson. Kris Lawton replied.

High Handenhold Bird Inn pipped Bishop Middleham 4-3 in a thriller, despite never hitting top form.

Marc Wood netted twice, with Jonathan Swift and Thomas Illingworth also on target before Middleham rallied well in the second half, with goals from Jonathan Hornsby and Kadam Lumsden-Parnaby (2).

Hilda Park produced a vastly improved performance than in their previous meeting with Premier leaders Houghton Town, but they still lost 3-0.

The crucial opener came just before half-time. Gary Davison, Matthew Stephenson and Kyle Davis did the damage for Town, with James Cook star man. Connor Henderson and Stephen Saville stood out for Hilda.

Brandon Sports Club and Pelton RAOB shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw.

The deadlock was broken in the second half when Pelton’s Chris Winn converted a soft penalty, but Brandon levelled when an inswinging corner was converted by Gavin Mudd at the back post.

Chilton WMC got the better of Sacriston WMC, winning 2-1 on the back of a strong defensive performance.

Kieran Harnett and Vinny Gash struck to give Chilton the victory, while a goalkeeping error gifted Sam Renwick Sacriston’s consolation. Anthony Local starred for Chilton.

Bowburn enjoyed a great day with a 6-1 success at Ouston Juniors in Division Four.

Lee Jennings needed just 10 minutes to give the visitors the lead with a powerful, low strike, then Adam Kirk rounded the keeper to double the advantage.

Ouston scored direct from a 30-yard Matty Cornish free-kick to get one back, but Lee Jennings popped up in the box to knee home a third for Bowburn.

Daniel Crisp’s 20-yard screamer all but killed off Ouston, with Jennings sealing his hat-trick for 5-1 and sub Sean McGrail completing the scoring with his first touch.

Keeper Paul Anderson made some fine saves for Bowburn. Danny Lawlor was Ouston’s top man.

Eppleton Cricket Club were beaten 3-2 at Durham Federation in a hard-fought game.

Eppleton had two men, Charlie Ord and Kevin Bell, correctly sent off for foul and abusive language. Eppleton lost their composure and therefore lost the game, despite goals from Liam Ord and Keith Scott. Eppleton’s man of the match was Michael Ambler.

Ben Pearson fired a treble for Federation.

Newton Hall Jovial Monk won 6-3 at Bearpark WMC.

They stormed three goals ahead and were four up before Ryan Lansley and Craig Bennett, with a debatable penalty, rallied the hosts. Bennett hit a late third for Bearpark.

Mark Emmerson and David Wile both struck twice for Monk, with Matthew Williams and Russell Harris also on target.

Durham County won 2-1 at Washington Cricket Club to progress from the fourth round of the Stepy’s Coaches President’s Trophy.

Joe Kerry and Craig Mountain did the damage in a very well contested game, with Andrew Bartle star man against a strong, physical and talented home team.

Sherburn Village outgunned Sedgefield St Edmund’s in an all-Premier battle in the semi-final of the Stonebridge Inn League Cup.

James Ellis hit a 35th-minute opener, but Louis Brown levelled right on half-time. Both sides had second-half chances, but Conor Winter and Craig McManus netted in extra time to see Sherburn through.

Langley Park stunned Premier side Newton Aycliffe WMC with a 4-2 away win in the fourth round of the Castle Insurance Alan Smith Memorial Trophy.

Aycliffe played a few fringe players and turned in a lethargic performance, and underdogs Langley’s hard-working side deservedly capitalised. Mark Wood and Corey Nicholson netted for Aycliffe.

Keiron Moralee and Steven Cummings scored in the first half for Langley, who ended it all square. Steve Mickle’s penalty gave Langley the lead, then Stephen Clifford sealed the victory.

Sunday 21st Feb 2016

Houghton Town moved five points clear at the top of the Premier Division, beating second-top Sacriston Cricket Club 1-0 for a ninth win in 11 league matches.

It always looked as though one goal could win the game, and so it proved. Both teams had chances, but Lee McBeth produced a calm finish, after a good build-up and cross from Kyle Davis, to clinch all three points.

Houghton had Callum Munro sent off for a bad challenge after just 20 minutes, with David Vincent star man. Shaun Gregory stood out for Sacriston.

Burnside WMC had to come from a goal down to defeat Washington Jays 3-1 in Division Three.

The hosts found themselves 1-0 down after two minutes when the ball wasn’t closed down fast enough and Jays’ left winger hit a shot from outside the box into the bottom corner, giving keeper Darren Moody no chance.

Burnside rallied well, creating a host of chances before finally levelling when Max Stoker netted from close range.

Burnside started the second half well and went ahead with an Elliot Cutts strike, and their impressive display was rewarded with a third goal, sub Kriss Jobling hammering home from close range to effectively kill the game off at 3-1.

Lewis Turnbull starred for Burnside.

Durham County outgunned visitors Quarrington Hill WMC 5-1 in a hard-fought game, with the fitter hosts coming out on top.

Star man Craig Mountain and Andrew Bartle both notched twice, with Alex Hird also on target.

Dubmire WMC fought gamely in a 4-4 thriller at home to Chester Garden Farm, with a last-minute Elsdon Thompson penalty levelling it up.

James Gardiner, Mark Liddle and James Murray also notched for Dubmire. Two-goal Tom Wray, Bailey Hunter and Scott Howe responded.

Chester-le-Street AFC edged a 1-0 win at Sedgefield Social Club, who arguably looked the better side for much of the game.

Andy Graham fired home the only goal with a left-footed shot in off the post on the hour mark, capitalising to rob a dallying defender.

New boy Fraser Storie capped his debut with a man-of-the-match performance.

Joe Burns shone for Sedgefield.

Eppleton Cricket Club enjoyed a Charlie Ord double as they outgunned Durham Buffaloes Head 5-1 in Division Four.

Aaron Grierson, Michael Ambler and Barry Appleton also struck as Eppleton never looked back from a slick start, with sub Samuel Morris replying right on time. Simon Booth stood out for Buffaloes.

Lumley hit back from an early deficit to win 4-1 at Ouston Juniors to go top.

Matty Cornish blasted home from the edge of the box for Ouston, but Dave Lucas. hauled the visitors level, then Ross Melvin put them 2-1 up at half-time, though it could have been an own goal from Danny Lawlor.

In a tight game, Lumley counter-attacked well and star man Lucas scored twice late on to complete his hat-trick.

Bowburn pipped Witton Gilbert Travellers Rest 3-2 in an entertaining game in difficult conditions.

Bowburn took a seventh-minute lead with a well-taken strike from Eddie Carr into the bottom corner, but Witton equalised by the interval.

Carr’s second goal restored the lead, finishing off a cross-shot by Lee Jennings at the far post after his initial effort was saved.

Witton equalised with a volley from the edge of the area, setting up a thrilling finale. Bowburn won it in the 87th minute with Daniel Crisp placing his 20-yard free-kick into the top corner .

Philip Spencer starred for Bowburn.

Chester Park Inn bolstered their survival push with a 3-1 win over Houghton Wild Boar All-Stars in Division One.

Paul Corlett fired home a well-taken double to lift the hosts off the bottom of the table, with sub Chris Waistell also on target. Lewis Holmes shone for Park Inn.

Some excellent shot stopping from Houghton keeper Sean Simpson kept the scoreline down. For Boar’s goal,Shaun Corner collected a long pass from Philip Thompson on halfway and ran on to shoot home.

Dean Clark rattled the post as Boar looked to level late on, but an 80th-minute striker sealed Park Inn’s win.

West Rainton and Houghton Chilton Lodge shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw.

Chilton Lodge led for most of the game thanks to a first-half goal from Ross Meenaghan.

Ian Davidson starred for Chilton, leading the back four, however he was unable to prevent Rainton’s Andrew Hope equalising with virtually the final kick off the game.

That dropped Lodge to bottom spot.

Third-top Durham County Seniors drew 1-1 with New Brancepeth WMC, who had Anthony Bussey grabbing the visitors’ goal but they rued a series of missed chances and felt they should have been three up at half-time. Mark Hughes levelled from the penalty spot.

Adam Purvis produced another man of the match performance for Brancepeth. Keeper David Pritchard was County’s star man.

Coxhoe Red Lion won 2-1 at Washington Sandpiper.

Washington were denied a 30-second opener by a fine Thomas Orton save, but Stephen Burns did give them the lead after a defensive mistake.

Coxhoe, though, rallied well to level through Jordan Stannard, and he later grabbed the winner. Adam Strong missed a golden opportunity to make it 3-1.

Framwellgate Moor WMC twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with visitors Langley Park to stay top in Division Two.

In a game between two decent sides, Stephen Clifford’s brace had Langley one up and 2-1 ahead, but the hosts recovered each time, through Nick Kitching and Lewis Coburn. Langley could have snatched victory late on, but had three efforts cleared off the line in a sensational final minute.

Kieron Moralee starred for Langley, with David Pratt best for Moor.

Ferryhill Celtic romped home 8-1 at Kelloe WMC as they consolidated second place, with four games in hand on the leaders.

Jonathan Agar fired a hat-trick, with the other goals shared around by Jason White, Nathan Lawson, Marco Linhart, John Makepeace and sub Dale Eltringham. Keeper Kris Carr starred.

Jonathan Smith hit Kelloe’s consolation.

Pittington succumbed 3-1 at home to High Handenhold Bird Inn.

Marc Wood, Thomas Illingworth and Jonathan Swift (penalty) did the damage, despite red cards for Swift and Stuart Ainsworth.

Bishop Middleham drew 3-3 at Ferryhill Community Hub.

Washington Cricket Club progressed in the JD Taxis Guards Cup with a 3-1 third round success at home to Hetton New Inn.

Keith Finch produced another man of the match performance for battling New Inn, who led thanks to a Kieron Hartill strike.

Sherburn knocked Pelton Crown out of the Stonebridge Inn League Cup, winning 3-1 away from home.

The margin of victory flattered the Premier Division side slightly, with Crown putting in an excellent performance.

Man of the match Kris Lawton replied to strikes from James Ellis (2) and Craig McManus, with Josh Ashcroft-Brown their star man.

Newton Aycliffe WMC cruised into the semi-finals of the Durham County Sunday Cup following an 8-1 drubbing of Norton George & Dragon.

Despite missing three of their main strikers, Aycliffe were 3-0 up after 15 minutes. through Connor Hughes, Aaron Wright and Corey Nicholson.

Norton never recovered and Mark Wood scored a brilliant solo fourth right on half-time.

The Teessiders came out fired up for the second half but Jordan Lavery’s 52nd-minute goal thwarted the fightback. Norton pulled a goal back, but Aycliffe went on to get three more through Luke Black, Stuart Owen and Nicholson.

Sedgefield St Edmund’s eased home 6-0 against Pelaw Grange Dogs to reach the final of the Castle Insurance Alan Smith Memorial Trophy.

The switch to a 4G pitch at Stanley suited Saints better, and they made the breakthrough when Brian Fairhurst converted a 25th-minute penalty.

Five goals capped a classy second-half display, with John Maddison (2), Jamie Dalton, Andrew Beamson and a 25-yard screamer from Kevin Hodgson doing the damage.

In the Bishop Auckland Heart Foundation Trophy, Pelton RAOB saw off Newton Aycliffe Navy Club 3-1, while Brandon Sports were good 3-0 victors at Tow Law.