Sunday 17th April 2016

Burnside to face Durham County in winner-takes-all title decider

The Third Division title will be decided with a final-day battle between promoted duo Durham County and Burnside WMC.

County, with one match left on May 1, lead on goal difference (eight better) from Burnside, who have two games to play.

Hetton New Inn battled from the first whistle to the last, but found Burnside WMC far too strong as they succumbed to a 9-0 defeat last week.

Craig Ellison, Elliot Cutts and Max Stoker all pounced for doubles, while Kriss Jobling, Jon Jordison and Lee Knight added to New Inn’s woes.

Durham County showed no mercy in a 12-0 demolition of Sedgefield SC.

Jack Carr and Joe Kerry both plundered hat-tricks, backed by Alex Hird’s double and furtther strikes from Jack Hodgkiss, sub Craig Mountain, Robson Brown and Joe Jenkinson.

Andrew Bartle was star man.

Quarrington Hill WMC rocked Chester Garden Farm RAR with a stunning 4-1 away triumph.

Ryan Johnson notched the home consolation, but hard-working Quarrington Hill deservedly claimed all three points.

Jack Walsh shone for Farm.

Champions Bowburn handed out a 9-0 beating to Durham Buffaloes Head in their final game in Division Four.

Lee Jennings, who bagged the first two goals, hit four to finish with a flourish, including a deft header from star man Philip Spencer’s cross and a right-foot drive from an acute angle.

Sean McGrail added a hat-trick, with Ben Uttley and Edward Carr, netting after a lovely passing move, also on target.

Aidan Herron stood out in vain for Buffs.

Ouston Cherry Tree moved within one win of the First Division title thanks to an impressive 3-1 victory at Durham County Seniors.

Ouston were dominant throughout, but for a 10-minute second-half spell, against a depleted Seniors side, who relined on good goalkeeping, a number of goal-line blocks and wayward finishing to keep the score down.

The breakthrough came midway through the first half as keeper Dom McMahon’s long kick was flicked on by Chad Brennan and slotted home by top scorer Andrew Clarkson.

Clarkson was the felled on the stroke of half-time, and skipper Mark Bailes scored from the resulting free-kick.

Ouston went 3-0 up on 65 minutes as sub Reece Hutchinson’s cross was too high for Clarkson, but his flicked header was helped home by Michael Ross.

Seniors pulled a goal back with a cracking finish, Kieron Bowes curling in a sweet strike from 15 yards, but Ouston saw out the victory.

Washington Sandpiper handed out a 5-0 defeat to visitors New Brancepeth WMC.

Star man Stephen Burns (2), Gary Allen, Philip Marriott and Wayne Hodgson notched.

Bede Lodge SC secured a 7-3 Second Division win at Bishop Middleham, after falling two goals behind.

Chris Dodds and sub Alex Wilson both pounced for doubles, with Paul Arkle, Jonathan Hodgson and John Kilgannon making it seven. David Duke starred for Bede.

Champions Ferryhill Celtic defeted Langley Park 4-3 to move 12 points clear of second-top Framwellgate Moor WMC.

Langley put in an excellent display, with plenty of possession and a host of chances, but Ferryhill stormed three goals up to all but settle the game.

Tony Rutter scored twice for Langley, with Stephen Mickle adding a penalty. Craig Bowman was the visitors’ top performer.

Luke Thompson, Jason White, Marco Linhart and Jay Smith all notched for Celtic, whose star man was Neil Bell.

Washington Cricket Club hit back from a goal down to win 3-1 at Langley Park on Tuesday.

Stand-in keeper Dean Sinclair gifted Stephen Clifford an opener for Langley, but the cricketers levelled before half-time as Graham Stephenson cut inside the area and was brought down for a penalty which Richard Logan converted.

Washington stormed in front as David Kirtley headed home from close range, then Liam Young made it 3-1 with a smart strike from 18 yards.

Chris Trueman shone for Washington, Craig Bowman for Langley.

Pelton RAOB fended off Chilton WMC to secure a 2-0 Premier Division success.

Chilton defended strongly, but tiredness, and a depleted squad, took its toll in the closing stages and late strikes from Michael Graver and Luke Kerry saw Buffs home.

Kenneth Ball stood out for Pelton, Curt Pickford for Chilton.

Brandon Sports Club defeated Sedgefield St Edmund’s 3-1 in a close-fought clash.

Lee Blades fired home a disputed penalty for Brandon’s opener, after Saints had run the show, but a well-taken John Maddison left-foot volley hauled Saints level before breakaway efforts from Blades and Oliver Graham steered the hosts home.

Dan Robinson shone for Brandon.

James Ellis had a day to savour, firing four goals to lead Sherburn Village to a convincing 5-1 success at Pelaw Grange Dogs.

Aaron Hinds also netted, while Scott Arnott was man of the match. Redshaw headed home a Stevens cross for Pelaw’s consolation.

On Tuesday, understrength Chilton WMC struggled against a well-organised Sherburn WMC, who ran out 4-2 winners.

Byron Brown bagged both for Chilton, with Curt Pickford again star man.

Newton Aycliffe’s understrength team had a comfortable 4-1 success at Hilda Park, thanks to Corey Nicholson, Connor Hughes, Dave Hanson and Sonny Andrews, making his comeback from a lengthy injury.

Chris Watson burst through impressively to equalise for battling Hilda at one point.

Pelton RAOB won 1-0 at Sacriston Cricket Club, Chris Winn netting in the final five minutes after sub Andrew Collinson hit the bar for the hosts.

Sunday 10 April 2016

Ryan strike sinks Burnside dreams and sets up Garden party.

Chester Garden Farm hoisted the Stepy’s Coaches President’s Trophy, edging home 1-0 against battling Burnside WMC in a dramatic final at New Ferens Park.

Burnside were rocked by the dismissal of Lee Knight and not even a man-of-the-match display by sub Kriss Jobling could deny Garden Farm, who sealed victory with a single Ryan Johnson strike.

Jordan Gibson starred for Garden Farm, who are third in Division Three, 17 points adrift of second-top Burnside who have already clinched promotion and are aiming to pip Durham County to the title.

Houghton Town were the better side for large spells and capitalised on poor early defending to win 3-1 at Brandon Sports Club in the Premier Division.

Houghton created chances and converted three, with Cameron Fenton, Aidan West and Gary Davison on target.

Keeper Robert Barron starred in vain for Brandon, whose marksman was Oliver Graham. Sub Daniel Grant was Houghton’s man of the match.

Hilda Park are heading for relegation and, despite taking the lead with a Jamie Gordon screamer, succumbed 8-4 at Chilton WMC.

Jamie Gordon, Moss and Jak Gordon completed Hilda’s haul, as star man Michael Searby (2), David Harrison, Joe Cornbill, Kieran Harnett, Byron Brown, Nicky Pickford and an own goal steered Chilton home. Marc Smith stood out for Hilda.

Newton Aycliffe WMC edged home 1-0 against Sacriston Cricket Club.

A combination of solid defending and goalkeeping on a poor pitch kept Sacriston level at the break, and they held on until two minutes from time when Sean Johnson forced the ball over the line after a fine save by Joe Thompson, who was magnificent throughout.

Pelaw Grange Dogs bagged a third straight win, beating Sacriston WMC 2-1, thanks to Jordan Stevens’ double, with Luke Wilson responding. Brian Allen starred for Pelaw.

Ouston Cherry Tree closed in on the First Division title with a hard-earned 1-0 victory at lowly Houghton Chilton Lodge, who are in big relegation danger.

Lodge keeper Craig Johnson was outstanding throughout, but the breakthrough came on the hour mark as Josh Scott’s shot from outside the box was fumbled up in the air by the keeper for Andrew Clarkson to nod home. Both sides were reduced to 10 men by the end.

Ouston’s Joe Wilkinson was sent off for a last man challenge, before Houghton’s Martin Armstrong was sent off for his protest after the ref had appeared to award Ouston a spot-kick, only for him to give a direct free-kick in the box after dismissing the player, a decision that baffled most in attendance.

Waldridge Park ran out 6-2 winners against Ferryhill Dynamos in their fourth game in eight days.

The hosts dominated from the start and were four up at half-time. Joe Hughes capitalised on a poor clearance to slot home the opener, then Steve McDonald stepped up to hit a free-kick over the wall and into the net.

Adam Campbell-Bell worked hard to add a double, though Ferryhill improved on the restart and netted twice, through Thomas Olley and Jonathan Mason. Campbell-Bell grabbed his hat-trick from just inside the box, and later added a fourth from a fine solo run.

Callum Sweeney starred for Dynamos.

Durham County Seniors were thumped 5-1 by visitors Washington Sandpiper.

Craig Smith (2), star man Wayne Kennedy, Gary Allen and Ross Docherty sparked Sandpiper, with Josh Gregory replying.

Ushaw Moor pipped Langley Park 3-2 in a nip and tuck game in Division Two, courtesy of Scott Nattrass’s brace and an Andrew Smith strike.

Stephen Clifford bagged both for Langley, who also hit the woodwork twice in a game switched to Ushaw’s pitch.

Pelton Crown’s superior finishing won an entertaining game 9-4 at Kelloe WMC.

Keith Lines fired a clinical hat-trick, backed by doubles from Mark Foster and Kris Lawton. Paul Shaw and Scott Simpson also notched, with Connor Shaw man of the match.

Kelloe goals came from Tony Braithwaite, Michael Hogg, Michael Soppitt and star man Karl Smith.

Washington Cricket Club outgunned Ferryhill Community Hub 5-0 in midweek, thanks to Andrew Elliott, star man Dan Ryan, Lewis Jopling, Alan Oliver and Paul Terrell.

Hetton New Inn had a few near-misses in their 5-0 home Third Division defeat to leaders Durham County, who enjoyed braces from Alex Hird and Jack Carr.

Joe Kerry also notched, with Andrew Bartle star man for County.

Chester Garden Farm and Washington Jays produced a 1-1 draw. Sub Michael Toon netted for Farm, whose star man was Jordan Gibson.

Burnside WMC outgunned Chester-le-Street AFC 3-0, with man of the match Max Stoker leading the way.

He scored alongside efforts from Kriss Jobbing and Jon Jordison.

Burnside also won 4-1 at Lumley Snooker to go joint top in midweek, with Grant Craig and Craig Ellison both striking twice. Ben Haddock notched for Lumley, who had Dan Young red-carded.

Eppleton Cricket Club did just enough to defeat Durham Federation 4-3 in Division Four.

Star man Liam Ord, Ben Harrison, Graham Galley and Connor Smith all struck, with Federation rueing their string of missed chances.

Stuart Ross, Ben Pearson and Jordan Wingfield netted for Federation.

Witton Gilbert Travellers Rest won 4-2 at Durham Buffaloes Head, who bossed the game at times but failed to take their opportunities.

Buffaloes took an early lead after constant pressure with a cool finish by Aiden Herron. Witton quickly equalised with an own goal from a David Calcutt cross, but Herron restored the lead before Calcutt finished off Scott Bradley’s cross to make it 2-2.

Mark Burden’s sweet 20-yarder made it 3-2 to Witton, and Calcutt added a late fourth.

Newton Hall Jovial Monk finished their season on a high with a topsy-turvy 3-2 win over Ouston Juniors.

A fast start, with two goals inside 10 minutes, set up Monk. Adam Baister finished at the second attempt after a brilliant run by Sam Fenwick, then Baister turned provider for David Wile to tap in.

Ouston roared out of the blocks in the second half. Scott Louis pulled a goal back, catching out keeper Robert Berry, and then, 20 minutes from time, Carl Moxon headed an equaliser.

They pressed for a winner, but Monk struck on the counter-attack, Mark Emmerson finding Matt Williams, who curled home. Conner Anderson stood out for Ouston.

Sunday 3rd April 2016

Haddock the final hero as Lumley bowl over cricketers

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Lumley Snooker Club lifted the D&P Trophies Knockout Cup following a dramatic 3-2 final win over Ushaw Moor Cricket Club.

Ushaw Moor had most of the early possession at New Ferens Park, but the first clear-cut chance fell to Lumley’s Ben Haddock, who, after breaking clear, blazed his shot high and wide.

Lumley fell behind with a bizarre own goal on 20 minutes, Ralph Watson overhitting a back pass which swerved viciously to bamboozle keeper Daniel Fleming.

Lumley deservedly equalised just before half-time, as Haddock stooped low to glance a Chris Dawson cross just out of keeper Michael Watson’s reach.

Ushaw Moor regained the lead on 71 minutes, Michael Abson slotting home from close range, but Anthony Jones equalised 11 minutes later, despite looking suspiciously offside.

Both sides had chances to win it in a storming final eight minutes, but man of the match Haddick grabbed the glory with his second goal of the game.

Scott Nattrass was Ushaw Moor’s top man.

Houghton Town claimed a 3-0 Premier Division win over Chilton WMC in a hard-fought midweek win to keep their title push on track, while Brandon Sports Club drew 1-1 with Sherburn.

Sherburn led with a free-kick, but Karl Turner levelled direct from a corner.

Brandon earlier drew 2-2 at Sedgefield St Edmund’s, with Andrew Morris and Paul Eilles netting.

Second-top Newton Aycliffe WMC, five points behind Houghton with a game in hand, walloped Sherburn Village WMC 5-0, courtesy of Daniel Mellanby (2), Gavin Wilson, Jordan Lavery and Reed Molloy.

Pelaw Grange Dogs won 3-1 at Chilton WMC, who had Matthew Jackson sent off. Nicky Pickford fired the consolation.

Ouston Cherry Tree won 3-1 at morning leaders Whitehills to go top in Division One, with five games in hand.

Whitehills, who had Steven Boroumand sent off, struck first when a long-range free-kick was deflected in by Ryan Grayson, but Ouston dominated the rest of the game.

They levelled when Mark Bailes’ free-kick evaded everyone apart from Andrew Clarkson, who tapped in at the far post.

Chad Brennan coolly slotted home a second, following more good work from Bailes, and he headed in for 3-1 from substitute Micky Ross’s classy free-kick.

Bottom club Chester Park Inn impressively outgunned Ferryhill Dynamoes 5-1, running the show from the start.

Michael Mclean, Allen Robson, Gary Booth, sub Lewis Holmes and Stephen Wood notched, with Josh Gash replying. Dynamos had Marco Oswald sent off.

Dynamoes beat Houghton Chilton Lodge 2-1 in midweek, after trailing. Kurt Seymour’s stunning finish levelled matters, then he converted a matchwinning penalty. Lodge finished strongly but an equaliser eluded them.

Waldridge Park cruised to a 6-2 victory at Washington Sandpiper, whose marksmen were Alan Wilson and Stephen Burns.

Coxhoe Red Lion won 1-0 at West Rainton, thanks to Adam Strong’s goal. Mark Watson starred, with John Horn best for Rainton.

Ferryhill Celtic need just one more point to clinch the Division Two title.

A 1-1 draw at second-top Framwellgate Moor WMC kept them stay six points clear, with Fram having two games to play.

Ian Field netted for Fram, whose top man was keeper James Rutherford, with Andrew Agar replying.

Third-top High Handenhold Bird Inn were good 3-1 winners at injury-hit Langley Park.

Bird broke the deadlock with a fine, left-footed Shane Swift strike, but Steven Cummings equalised.

Bird had the edge in a scrappy second half, with Jonny Swift’s penalty and a fine 20-yard lob by Thomas Illingworth sealing the victory.

Pelton Crown romped home 13-2 at Bishop Middleham, with five-goal John Morris leading the way.

Kris Lawton and Mark Foster fired hat-tricks, with Connor Shaw (2) completing the rout.

Bede Lodge SC lost 2-1 at home to Washington Cricket Club, with Paul Richardson’s goal outgunned by an Adam Smith brace.

Keeper Jordan Craggs shone for Bede.

Washington Cricket won 3-1 at Pelton Crown in midweek, thanks to Graham Stephenson’s clinical hat-trick, with Mark Foster replying. Chris Trueman starred for the cricketers.

The cricketers also beat Bishop Middleham 3-0, thanks to Paul Terrell, Stephen Conlin and Richard Logan.

Hetton New Inn edged a 1-0 victory over Sedgefield Social Club to move clear of trouble in Division Three.

An evenly matched game was decided by a fantastic free-kick from Keith Finch after a mazy run from Francis drew a late challenge on the edge of the box.

Michael Adcock starred for Sedgefield.

Dubmire WMC had two-goal Mark Liddle and Stephen Donkin on target in a 3-3 draw with Quarrington Hill WMC in their bottom-three duel. James Murray starred.

Second-top Burnside WMC revelled in Craig Ellison’s double as they beat Chester Garden Farm 2-0. Lewis Turnbull was star man, with keeper Michael Toon best for Farm.

Leaders Durham County - three points clear of Burnside, who have a game in hand - were good value for a 5-2 win at Washington Jays, who relied on Reece Wanless and an own goal.

Alex Hird and Craig Mountain fired braces for County, with Joe Jenkinson also on target. Chris Brown starred for County, Chris Lorraine for Jays.

Newton Hall Jovial Monk secured a 3-1 success at Durham Buffaloes Head in Division Four.

Monk broke the deadlock when David Wile headed in a cross from Antony Waterson, but Buffs deservedly levelled before half-time, thanks to a well-worked goal, slotted home by Jay Stirk.

Monk dominated the second half and home keeper Gregg Remmer made some great saves. Two goals were disallowed, but Adam Baister found Wile, who brilliantly slotted home for 2-1 before completing his hat-trick late on.

Matthew Williams shone for Monk.

Bearpark WMC lost 2-0 at home to Bowburn in an entertaining game which could have gone either way.

Lee Jennings fired a brace past man-of-the-match home keeper Lee Scales. Jody White starred for Bowburn, who clinched promotion with the win and need a point for the title.

Ouston Juniors, who need to win their final two games to pip second-top Lumley to promotion, overwhelmed Durham Federation 5-0, with Ben Pearson star man for the well-beaten visitors.

Sunday 27th March 2016

Burnside on cloud nine as promotion dream

Burnside WMC romped to a 9-0 win at Chester-le-Street AFC to keep their Third Division promotion push on track.

They were five goals up in 15 minutes, thanks to Grant Craig, Lewis Turnbull, Dan Cummings and a Craig Ellison double.

Ellison volleyed home to complete his hat-trick, with Craig also on target to make it 7-0 at the interval. Max Stoker and Jopling completed the rout.

Durham County stayed three points clear of Burnside, having played two games more, thanks to a 3-2 win at Lumley Snooker Club.

Keeper Philip Parker was outstanding for the visitors, whose match winners were Joe Kerry (2) and Alex Hird.

Dubmire WMC deservedly proved too strong for lacklustre Hetton New Inn, with Stephen Donkin’s brace inspiring a 3-0 victory. Mark Liddle also notched, with Gary Johnson man of the match.

Hetton had two strong penalty claims waved away.

Chester Garden Farm saw off Sedgefield SC 3-1, with Ryan Johnson plundering a hat-trick. Matthew Goodyear was star man.

Title favourites Ouston Cherry Tree beat Durham County Seniors 2-0 in a crucial battle of second and third in Division One.

Chad Brennan broke the deadlock from a through ball by star man Stuart Pryer, then Daniel James popped up with a rare goal at the second attempt after the keeper had blocked his first effort.

New Brancepeth WMC boosted their survival push with a 3-1 defeat of bottom club Chester Park Inn, moving them six points above the drop zone, albeit having played several more games.

Anthony Bussey’s low strike settled the nerves, though Michael Mclean powerfully headed home a corner to level.

Ryan Burton restored the lead with a 25-yarder from an acute angle, then Andrew Nicholson came off the bench and marked his first appearance in well over a year, following a knee problem, by producing a neat finish under keeper Chris Howard.

Adam Purvis shone for Brancepeth, Stephen Wood for Park Inn.

Leaders Whitehills lost 1-0 in a tight battle against visitors Ferryhill Dynamoes, with Ryan Farley grabbing the only goal in the first half.

Stephen Fisher starred for Whitehills, who had a last-minute penalty claim rejected, with Stephen Ward best for Ferryhill.

Washington Sandpiper threw away a two-goal lead, earned by strikes from star man Alan Wilson and Ross Docherty. as they crashed 3-2 at Coxhoe Red Lion.

Jordan Stannard caused problems for Sandpiper on the restart and the man of the match plundered a brilliant hat-trick to turn it around.

Houghton Town’s Premier Division title ambitions suffered a big setback in a 4-0 defeat at Newton Aycliffe WMC.

The sides produced a cracking game, with Aycliffe flattered by the margin of victory.

Aaron Wright (2), Gavin Wilson and sub Connor Hughes grabbed the crucial goals, beating keeper Niki Lawson, with Anthony Chapman star man for Houghton.

Town remain top, nine points clear of Aycliffe but having played four games more.

Sherburn Village took a big step towards safety by edging home 5-4 against bottom club Pelaw Grange Dogs.

Doubles from James Ellis and Jordan Sanders, backed by a Scott Arnott strike, did the damage. Sherburn joined Brandon Sports Club on 14 points, nine ahead of Hilda Park and 11 better off than Pelaw.

Pelton RAOB slipped to fourth place, behind Aycliffe, after being held 2-2 by Sedgefield St Edmund’s. Peck and McMillan opened and closed the scoring for Buffs, with Stephen Flockett and Simon Ord replying.

Framwellgate Moor WMC capitalised on scrappy passing to come from behind in the second half for a 2-1 win at High Handenhold Bird Inn.

Bird led with a Liam Errington strike, but they could never get their passing going and Fram took advantage as Lewis Coburn and Liam Wrightson notched.

Ferryhill Celtic showed their class as they came from behind to outgun battling Pittington 6-1.

Mark Jacomb notched in the 10th minute for the visitors, but Celtic quickly took command and ran out convincing winners, helped by four Andrew Agar goals.

Jonny Agar and sub Dane Eltringham also netted, beating keeper Simon Coultas.

Ushaw Moor Cricket Club rued the failure to capitalise on their dominant possession as Bishop Middleham battled to draw 2-2.

John Cook capped a fine display with two good goals for a weakened Ushaw side.

Paul Taylor and James Richardson netted for Ushaw, with Scott Nattrass star man.

Langley Park won a scrappy match 4-2 at Kelloe WMC after trailing to a dubious Grant Parnaby penalty.

Langley levelled with a well-taken header and stormed 3-1 up before star man Michael Hogg gave Kelloe a lifeline. But the visitors, whose marksmen were James Culter, David McGuire, Jake Davison and Stephen Clifford, hit a killer fourth goal on the break. Craig Bowman starred for Langley.

Eppleton Cricket Club ran out 5-1 winners in a good Fourth Division game at Newton Hall Jovial Monk.

Keeper Karl McDonough made two great saves to deny David Wile to inspire Eppleton, with doubles from Aaron Grievson and man of the match Barry Appleton, plus Liam Ord’s strike, seeing them five up before Monk’s Antony Waterson grabbed a late reply. Chris King starred for Monk.

Bowburn hit back from 3-1 down to secure a 5-3 victory at Durham Federation, thanks to four goals in five second-half minutes.

Fed deservedly led until Jody White poked home an equaliser in a goalmouth scramble. The Durham side, whose marksmen are Scott Walker, Cameron Wilson and Callum Wooler, responded to go 3-1 up with a Luke Coad own goal and an excellent individual strike.

But Bowburn altered their system and it paid off as Adam Kirk and Lee Jennings, set up by Craig Hill’s defence-splitting pass, levelled matters.

Kirk then latched onto a long ball which bounced over the Fed keeper to make it 4-3, with Jennings quickly adding a well-made fifth.

Ouston Juniors dominated from start to finish in a 7-1 demolition of out-of-sorts Witton Gilbert Travellers Rest.

Sam Hedley opened the scoring before a brace from Andy Hall and a fine Danny Lawlor finish made it 4-0 at the break.

Hall completed his hat-trick, then Scott Louis and star man Matty Cornish made it seven before Daniel Cooke fired a late reply for Rest, whose star man was Scott Bradley.

The victory was marred when Ouston sub Nathan Morley fell awkwardly and sustained a broken collarbone.

Waldridge Park clinched their place in the JD Taxis Guards Cup final, edging home 2-1 against Washington Cricket Club.

Waldridge started slowly and were fortunate go go in front when a Washington centre-half, under little pressure, knocked the ball past his own keeper. The cricketers, though, took control, giving Waldridge Park’s defence plenty of work to do, albeit without creating clear chances.

After the break, Waldridge were straight on the front foot and they doubled their lead from a fine passing move, with Jamie Taylor squaring the ball across the area for the oncoming Steve McDonald to shoot low into the bottom corner.

Waldridge missed good chances to seal the victory, and Washington grabbed a late lifeline when sub David Pybus cut the deficit to 2-1, direct from a corner.

But Park, with Wes Delap outstanding, held firm to clinch a third cup final appearances in as many years.

Daniel Ryan stood out for Washington.