Sunday 7th May 2016

Buffs complete treble in smashing style to pip Houghton Town to the title.
Pelton RAOB enjoyed a weekend to savour as they completed a treble by landing the Premier Division title and the Castle Insurance Alan Smith Memorial Trophy.
First up for Buffs, who had already lifted the Ramside Hall Hotel Cup-Winners’ Cup, was the Alan Smith final against Sedgefield St Edmund’s at New Ferens Park,.
The 2-1 result flattered Sedgefield, whose keeper, John Brown, produced a string of outstanding saves to keep them in the game.
Saints thought they had got off to a great start, when, in the second minute, Pelton keeper Scott Cresswell dropped the ball on his goal line for Sedgefield’s Luke Kerry to force home.
But their celebrations were cut short when the assistant referee flagged for an infringement on the keeper.
Ten minutes later, Pelton’s Kenneth Ball was upended in the box, with the resulting spot-kick hammered home by Alex Peake.
Pelton remained in command, but the keeper’s impressive performance kept them at bay until the 80th minute, when Mark Addison’s strike doubled Buffs’ lead.
Sedgefield grabbed a consolation goal in the 88th minute, with Lewis Brown converting a penalty, but Pelton held firm to see out the win.
Sub Cameron Nichol starred for Buffs.
The title was decided last Sunday.
The equation was simple. Victory for either Newton Aycliffe or Pelton RAOB and the championship was theirs. A draw, and Houghton Town would be crowned champions if they won their final game against Sedgefield St Edmund’s.
Pelton, though, cruised to a 6-0 away success to settle the issue against an aycliffe side reduced to 10 men when keeper Stephen Richardson was sent off.
Aycliffe took the game to Pelton in the first half, but they were exposed by the visitors’ speedy counter attacks and ended up 2-0 down at the break.
Aycliffe hit the woodwork twice before the decisive moment of the match arrived early in the second half when keeper Richardson gave away a penalty and was sent off for bringing down a Pelton forward.

Pelton scored from the spot-kick and, with their centre-forward now in goal, Aycliffe lost all their shape and Buffs scored three late goals to seal a convincing victory.
Man of the match Chris Winn stole the show with a clinical hat-trick to inspire Pelton, with Cameron Nichol (2) and Craig Mickle also on target.
Stuart Owen starred in vain for Aycliffe.

Stuart Owen

Houghton Town hit five second-half goals in their finale at home to St Edmund’s, despite the young visitors being level at the break.
Star man James Cook fired a brace, with Matthew Stephenson, Oliver Hotchkiss and an own goal sealing second place in the table for Houghton. Joe Peel stood out for Saints.
Houghton earlier set up their last-day shot at the title with a 2-0 Thursday night triumph at Sherburn Village, where Craig Hennis and star man Matthew Stephenson notched, with Niki Lawson claiming a clean sheet. Jamie Abbott shone for fourth-placed Sherburn.
Washington Cricket Club ended their Second Division season in confident mood, handing out an 8-0 defeat to hosts Pittington.
David Pybus and Stephen Conlin both notched doubles, with Jake Leighton, Gary McCartney, Alan Oliver and Chris Horn also on the scoresheet. Chris Truman was again the cricketers’ top performer.
Langley Park wound up their campaign with a fifth win in a row, 2-0 at home to Bishop Middleham.
Tony Rutter and Kieron Moralee grabbed the goals in a typical end-of-season encounter, with Liam Bowes star man. Alex Mitton stood out for Middleham.
In the last Division One game of the season, Washington Sandpiper beat Ferryhill Dynamoes 2-0.
Sandpiper went into the interval one goal up, and, at the death, they grabbed a killer second goal as Ferryhill pushed for an equaliser.
Alan Wilson and Craig Smith notched for Washington, whose star man was Stephen Burns.
David Gibson shone for Dynamoes.
Star man Iain Macpherson grabbed the consolation for Houghton Chilton Lodge as they crashed 7-1 to promoted Waldridge Park in their final fixture.
Washington Jays closed their Third Division season with a 4-0 home victory over Dubmire WMC.
Adam Hill capped a man-of-the-match performance with a well-taken hat-trick, supported by a Chris Cook strike.
Stephen Donkin was the pick for Dubmire.

DP Trophies Knockout Cup Final 2nd April 2016.

Match Report – DP Trophies Knockout Cup Final 2^nd April 2016.

New Ferens Park, Durham.

Lumley Snooker Club 3 -2 Ushaw Moor Cricket Club.

Ushaw Moor CC had most of the possession during the opening spell of this seasons DP TROPHIES KNOCKOUT CUP FINAL but the first clear cut chance fell to Lumley Snooker’s Ben Haddick, who after breaking clear blazed his shot high and wide. Lumley did open the scoring but with a bazaar own goal to put Ushaw Moor ahead on the twenty minute mark, Ralph Watson over hitting a back pass which swerved viciously to bamboozle keeper Daniel Fleline. In an evenly balanced game Lumley are back on level terms just before the half time break, Ben Haddick stooping low to glance a Chris Dawson cross just out of reach of keeper Michael Watson. Again the second half is evenly matched, Usworth regaining the lead after seventy one minutes Michael Abson slotting the ball home from close range. Lumley pressing hard to get back into the game had a stroke of fortune on the 82^nd minute pulling level with an Anthony Jones goal that looked suspiciously off side. During a storming last eight minutes both sides have chances to grab the winner but it was man of the match Ben Haddick who grabbed the glory with his second goal of the game to win the tie for Lumley 3-2.

RAMSIDE HALL CUP WINNERS CUP – 22nd April 2016.

Match Report – RAMSIDE HALL CUP WINNERS CUP – 22^nd  April 2016.

New Ferens Park, Durham.

PELTON RAOB 4-0 NEWTON AYCLIFFE Wmc

Pelton took charge from the kick off and within six minutes open the scoring with a Luke Kerry strike from well outside the box. Newton Aycliffe go further behind after a needless foul on the edge of the box is punished with a Craig Mickle goal. On the thirty fourth minute mark Carl Ritchie picks out Michael Graver just inside the penalty box who slots the ball home to make it 3-0. Newton Aycliffe start the second half a little better and were unlucky to see a Corrie Nicholson effort parried to safety by Buff’s keeper Scott Cresswell.  Pelton were soon back in control and little troubled by a below par Newton Aycliffe performance. Mid-way through the second half following some wonderful Pelton link up play Craig Mickle, after his initial effort is saved by keeper Barry Poskett, extends the lead to 4-0.

CASTLE INSURANCE ALAN SMITH TROPHY – 6th MAY 2016.

Match Report – CASTLE INSURANCE ALAN SMITH TROPHY – 6^th MAY 2016.

New Ferens Park, Durham.

PELTON RAOB 2-1 SEDGEFIELD ST EDMUNDS

Pelton  RAOB completed a brace of Swinburn Maddison Durham Sunday League cup final wins with 2-1 victory over Sedgefield St Edmunds in the Castle Insurance Alan Smith Trophy. The 2-1 result flattered Sedgefield whose keeper produced a string of outstanding saves to keep them in the game. Sedgefield  thought they had got off to a great start in the second minute, Pelton keeper Scott Cresswell dropped the ball on his goal line for Sedgefield’s Luke Kerry to force home, their celebrations were cut short when then assistant referee flagged for an infringement on the keeper. Ten minutes later Pelton’s Kenneth Ball is upended in the box, the resultant spot kick is hammered home by Alex Peake.  Pelton keep their opponents keeper Micheal Brown very busy for the remainder of the game his man of the match performance holds them at bay until 80^th  minute when Mark Addison’s strike  makes it 2-0. Sedgefield grab a consolation goal with an 88^th minute Lewis Brown penalty.

Sunday 1st May 2016

Late, late West Rainton send Wild Boar down in relegation decider

West Rainton snatched a late equaliser in their First Division relegation decider to send Houghton Wild Boar All-Stars down.

The sides were on 20 points apiece ahead of kick-off, with Boar requiring a victory to stay up.

They got off to a great start, too, Rob Thompson knocking in a goal after only 30 seconds, but Rainton equalised midway through the first half.

Houghton keeper Sean Simpson pulled off a number of saves to keep his side’s hopes alive and, on 75 minutes, substitute Liam McKitten fired the visitors into the lead.

But, with five minutes remaining, a hopeful cross into the Houghton penalty area ended up being bundled into the net to rescue Rainton and condemn the visitors to the drop.

Defender Dean Clark was outstanding for Houghton. Ian Brown and Scott Redmayne netted for Rainton, with Jamie Bowes star man.

Waldridge Park just did enough to beat New Brancepeth WMC 3-2 in their penultimate game to clinch a fourth straight promotion as runners-up.

Two-goal star man Joe Hughes and Richard Ellis were on target against Brancepeth, lifting Waldridge a point clear of third-top Whitehills.

Waldridge then demolished Houghton Chilton Lodge 7-1 on Tuesday.

Lloyd McGee and midfielder Jamie Taylor, with a 25-yarder, supported five goals from outstanding second-half sub Chris Days, who backheeled home for his hat-trick.

Lodge grabbed a consolation goal when a goalkeeping clearance rebounded into an empty net.

Houghton Chilton Lodge made sure of their survival with a 3-2 success at relegated bottom club Chester Park Inn.

The point they needed to stay up looked a long way off as Park Inn stormed 2-0 up in 30 minutes, thanks to Paul Corlett and Stephen Wood, but Ross Meenaghan grabbed a goal back just before half-time.

Dan Thompson levelled after an hour, then man of the match Iain Macpherson grabbed a deserved late winner.

Coxhoe Red Lion won 3-1 at Durham County Seniors, who played well despite having only 10 men for most of the match. Damien Potts equalised at one point with a clinical, close-range finish.

Burnside WMC clinched the Third Division title in their final-day decider at rivals Durham County.

The top two sides served up a brilliant game, with both teams giving 100 per cent at all times.

Alex Hird notched for County, but Burnside, who needed only a point to be confirmed as champions, snatched all three late on, with Grant Craig and Craig Ellison their marksmen.

Max Stoker stood out for Burnside, with Joe Jenkinson best for County.

Burnside also celebrated landing the JD Taxis Guards Cup, thanks to a 3-1 final win over Waldridge Park, who had Lloyd McGee on target.

Chester Garden Farm RAR signed off by beating Sedgefield Social Club 9-2 in very wet conditions.

Michael Williamson grabbed a hat-trick, with star man Jack Walsh (2), Ryan Johnson (2), Dan Johnson and Steven Kirkup also on the scoresheet.

The Premier Division title will be decided tomorrow when the top two, Newton Aycliffe WMC and Pelton RAOB, meet.

The pair are locked together on 45 points, with Aycliffe having a better goal difference, so Buffs must win to be crowned champions.

Houghton Town, 2-0 winners against Sherburn, will be champions if they beat Sedgefield St Edmund’s at home and the two sides above them draw.

Pelton secured a 10-1 win to relegate Pelaw Grange Dogs, then beat Sherburn Village 4-0 on Tuesday.

Four-goal Luke Kerry stole the show against Pelaw, backed by Craig Mickle (2), Chris Winn (2), Matthew Soulsby and sub Mark Anderson, while David Donnelly replied. Michael Redshaw starred for Pelaw.

Buffs then sank Sherburn thanks to Kenneth Ball (2), Winn and Soulsby, with Mark Peck star man.

Newton Aycliffe lost 4-2 to Sherburn before regaining winning ways, beating Sacriston WMC 2-1.

Aycliffe chose to play the Sherburn game on a 3G pitch, and they came from behind to lead with goals from Danny Mellanby and Warren Byrne.

But James Ellis’s treble, and a Richard Begg strike, steered Sherburn home.

On Tuesday, Aycliffe won 2-1 with goals from Wright and Andrew. David Winter replied for Sacriston WMC, who battled well in front of stand-in keeper Liam Summers, who capped a great display with an excellent penalty save.

Brandon Sports Club defeated Chilton WMC 3-2 in their final game, with regular goalkeeper Robert Barron striking twice and Gavin Mudd heading a third.

David Harrison and Anthony Local had given Chiltona 2-1 interval lead.

Washington Cricket Club fell just short of promotion in Division Two, with their final two wins taking them within two points of runners-up Framwellgate Moor WMC.

The determined cricketers first beat Bede Lodge SC 7-0, with doubles from Liam Young and Stephen Conlin backed by David Kirtley, Gary McCartney and Chris Horn. James Douglas starred, with Chris Dodds best for Bede.

In midweek, Washington beat High Handenhold Bird Inn 3-0, thanks to David Pybus, Young and Lewis Jopling. Chris Trueman starred.

Ushaw Moor Cricket Club won their final game 3-0 at relegated Pittington, dominating from start to finish.

Star man Mark Burnham (2) and Craig Flowers did the damage.

Bottom club Kelloe WMC signed off with an entertaining 9-4 defeat at Langley Park on Tuesday.

David McGuire bagged a hat-trick, supported by Kieron Moralee (2), Daniel Hamilton, Liam Bowes, Darren Green and Stephen Clifford. Dave Graham starred for Kelloe who only trailed 4-3 at half-time.

Durham Federation ended their Fourth Division season with a confident 5-2 victory at Durham Buffaloes Head.

Jordan Wingfield led the way with a clinical hat-trick.

Fed led 2-0 before Ross Wilby struck from a corner for Buffaloes. Fed then stormed 5-1 up, with Ben Pearson and Cameron Wilson also on target, before Gary Peart hit a second consolation in a goalmouth scramble.

Matthew Wilkie shone for Fed.

Witton Gilbert Travellers Rest comfortably beat Bearpark 4-1.

David Calcutt’s 30-yard free-kick put Travellers on top, and a good finish from the edge of the box by Mark Burden made it two.

Bearpark rallied with a Dylan Crooks penalty, but Calcutt’s second long-range set piece restored the two-goal advantage and he ended up with a hat-trick, netting from close range after a goalkeeping fumble

Sunday 24th April 2016

Buffs make merry with Kerry in cup final romp

Pelton RAOB lifted the Ramside Hall Hotel Cup-Winners’ Cup, with a 4-0 final demolition of Newton Aycliffe WMC at New Ferens Park.

Aycliffe never got out of the blocks before Pelton were ahead, Luke Kerry firing home from well outside the box on six minutes.

Craig Mickle made it two after a needless foul on the edge of the area, then Michael Graver added a third, from Carl Ritchie’s pass, in the 34th minute.

Aycliffe made a game of it in the second half, but Buffs made it four, Mickle netting after his initial effort was saved by Barry Poskett.

Kenneth Ball was star man.

Houghton Wild Boar All-Stars face a do-or-die final game at West Rainton this weekend as they battle to escape the drop in Division One.

Chester Park Inn are down in bottom spot, with Wild Boar, West Rainton and Houghton Chilton Lodge all on 20 points. Boar and Rainton have just the one game left, against each other.

Boar, despite missing a few regulars, put up a brave fight in their 6-2 defeat at runaway champions Ouston Cherry Tree.

Houghton took the lead when Karl Anderson crashed his shot past keeper Dominic McMahon, though Ross Drummond equalised.

Boar went 2-1 up when Craig Fletcher fired into an empty net from 20 yards. Houghton keeper Sean Simpson pulled off a couple of excellent saves before Drummond levelled again from the edge of the area.

Ouston ran the second period, striking four more goals for a comfortable win. Michael Ross struck twice in quick succession after good work from Paul Chilton and Jon Morrison, then Josh Scott made it five before setting up fellow sub Mark Ramsay to head in a late sixth.

Shaun Corner was Boar’s star man.

Houghton Chilton Lodge boosted their survival bid with a 1-1 home draw against Ferryhill Dynamoes.

But they rued the failure to pick up all three points, having dominated the game and passing up eight clear-cut chances.

Ross Meenaghan made the breakthrough just after half-time, however Ferryhill salvaged a point 15 minutes from the end, with Kurt Seymour netting.

Anthony Armstrong was Lodge’s star man, with Dan Taylor best for Dynamoes.

Whitehills ended their season with a flat performance, despite a 1-0 win over Washington Sandpiper.

James Mansell won a penalty and picked himself up to secure all three points in a game of almost no chances. Stephen Fisher starred.

Waldridge Park struggled to a 1-1 draw at Coxhoe Red Lion to stay third, needing five points from their final three games to pip Whitehills to the second promotion place,

Waldridge Park then won 1-0 at Durham County Seniors on Tuesday, with Steven Dobbing on target. Mark Chambers starred.

New Brancepeth WMC won 4-3 in a thriller at Durham County Seniors, thanks to well-taken double from Tony Bussey and Andrew Nicholson, with Adam Purvis star man.

The Premier Division title race will go to the wire.

Leaders Houghton Town and second-top Newton Aycliffe WMC drew 1-1 in an entertaining game on Tuesday. Matthew Stephenson headed Town in front from a corner, but Adam Sakr fired home an equaliser from the edge of the box.

Pelton RAOB, in third, eased to a 6-2 victory at Chilton WMC, inspired by star man Cameron Nichol’s hat-trick.

They were clinical in front of goal, as Luke Kerry (2) and Kenneth Ball also netted, with Byron Brown and Nicky Pickford replying for a Chilton side who struggled to get into the game.

Brandon Sports Club failed to field a full team and paid the price as Newton Aycliffe WMC romped to a 5-0 win, after being kept out for 20 minutes.

Sean Johnson broke the deadlock before four second-half goals followed from Mark Wood, Corey Nicholson and two-goal Danny Mellanby.

Sherburn Village proved more than a match for Sacriston WMC as they cruised to a 5-1 win.

Two James Ellis goals were enough take Sherburn to the break 2-1 up, after Luke Wilson had deservedly given Sacriston an early lead.

Ellis completed his hat-trick and Tom Young and Steven Foster completed a convincing victory.

Sedgefield St Edmund’s comfortably defeated Pelaw Grange Dogs 6-1, thanks to goals from Joe Peel (2), Dan Smith, Lewis Brown, Graham Kime and Brian Fairhurst. Donnelly’s penalty levelled it at 1-1 early in the second half.

On Tuesday, Alex Peake (2) and an own goal earned Pelton RAOB a 3-1 win at Sedgefield St Edmund’s.

Washington Cricket Club handed out a 6-0 Second Division beating to visitors Pelton Crown.

Stephen Conlin led the way with a brace, supported by efforts from star man Chris Trueman, Gary McCartney, Paul Terrell and Paul Patterson.

Pelton, with the bare 11 players, were down to 10 early on as full-back Steven Ions took an accidental elbow in the eye to end his involvement.

Bede Lodge SC romped home 14-1 against a Bishop Middleham side wishing for the season to be over.

Jonathan Hodgson, Chris Dodds and Paul Richardson dominated the game, with all three plundering hat-tricks.

Mark Heslop (2), Lewis Hopper, star man Sean Richardson and Daniel Mann also netted,

Champions Ferryhill Celtic outgunned second-top Framwellgate Moor WMC 6-0, inspired by a Shane Todd hat-trick.

Jason White, Andrew Agar and star man Marco Linhart made it six as Celtic ended their league campaign with 19 wins and three draws in 22 games.

Ushaw Moor Cricket Club succumbed 2-1 at home to Langley Park in a very scrappy match on a poor pitch.

Steven Mickle put Langley in front, then Steven Clifford extended the lead before Ushaw hit back with an own goal from the centre-half. Langley stood firm to seal the win.

James Richardson stood out for Ushaw, Liam Bowes for Langley.

On Tuesday, Langley Park comfortably won 4-0 at Pittington, despite Liam Bowes’ early red card. Stephen Clifford (2), Steven Cummings and Kieron Moralee netted. Martin Merren starred.

Washington Cricket Club beat Kelloe WMC 3-0, with Richard Logan (2) and Gary McCartney notching. Michael “Casper” Graham starred in goal for Kelloe.

Burnside WMC need a point from this weekend’s Third Division title decider at rivals Durham County to be champions.

Burnside go into the final game three points ahead of County, who have a better goal difference. If County win, they will be champions, but any other result sees the title go to Burnside.

The Fencehouses outfit won their penultimate match 7-2 at relegation battlers Quarrington Hill WMC, with five-goal Craig Ellison leading the way. Elliot Cutts and Max Stoker also notched.

Washington Jays beat Sedgefield Social Club 3-1, with Chris Lorraine, Adam Hill and Karl Graham on target.

Dubmire edged home 2-1 at Chester-le-Street AFC.

Chester Garden Farm eased home 3-1 at Chester-le-Street AFC on Tuesday, thanks to Robbie Mawson, Ryan Johnson and Stephen Kirkup.

In Division Four, Ouston Juniors eased home 5-1 at Bearpark, with all five of their goals coming in the first half.

Conner Anderson fired a hat-trick, with Matty Cornish and Carl Moxon also on target.

Incredibly, Ouston fielded three father/son combinations, surely a league record.

Paul Hedley and his son Sam were joined by Paul McAdam and his son Matthew, and Ivan Moxon and his son Carl.

On Tuesday, Bearpark won a wintry thriller 5-3 at Durham Federation, after trailing 2-0, with Dylan Crooks, Craig Bennett (2), Bradley Wilson and Gary Purvis on target.

The Swinburne Maddison Durham Sunday League are looking for new clubs for season 2016-17.

All interested parties are asked to email league secretary Graham Lilley - graham.lilley1@btinternet.com - for details.