Welcome to the New Season

Sunday 14th August 2016

Two-goal sub Rob’s the key man as Wild Boar secure opening-day cup triumph

Houghton Wild Boar All-Stars convincingly outgunned Durham Rangers 5-1 to storm into the second round of the Castle Insurance Alan Smith Memorial Trophy. Dean Clark opened the scoring, heading home Liam Lusk’s cross, and Liam McKitten doubled the lead on the half hour with a lovely swerving lob over Adam Jackson.Sub Rob Thompson hit the next two before Rangers reduced the deficit, but Shaun Corner rounded the keeper for Boar’s fifth. Houghton Town eased home 5-0 at Lambton Lions, with Aidan West (2), Kieran Day, Matty Weirs and Daniel Grant all notching. Adam Cameron stood out for Lions.

A hat-trick from star man Stephen Donkin helped Dubmire to a comfortable 4-1 win over Coxhoe Red Lion.Jed Croft also notched, with sub Liam Lawson replying. Paul Coxon and Jake Croft starred for Dubmire, with keeper Tom Orton best for Lion.

Sacriston WMC grafted hard to edge out Sedgefield St Edmund’s 2-1.Joe Peel hauled Saints level at one point but they were out of luck, hitting the post and bar twice in the second half. Adam Wilson and Chris Morgue netted for Sacriston, with Liam Milburn star man.

Keith Finch hit Hetton New Inn’s consolation in a 3-1 defeat at Lumley, with David Jane man of the match.Alex Hird’s treble helped Durham County sink Pittington 7-1. Jack Carr, Joe Kerry, Stanley Ogunsuyi and Damian Potts also netted, with Dean Richardson replying.Bede Lodge SC revelled in four Stuart Thompson strikes in a 6-4 success at East Rainton. Jonathan Hodgson and an own goal made it six, with Callum Fletcher and Craig Henniss both bagging doubles in reply.Luke Thompson, Jonny Agar and Marco Linhart hit trebles as Ferryhill Celtic demolished Sacriston The Shoes 12-0. Liam Taylor (2) and Kyle Wren also scored. Four-goal Andrew Agar, Kurt Seymour and Stephen Ward struck as Ferryhill Dynamoes squeezed past High Handenhold Bird Inn 6-5 after extra time. Thomas Illingworth (2), Jonathan Swift (2) and Liam Errington replied.Brandon Sports Club pipped Grange Villa 6-4 in extra time, with Ian Davidson (2), Dan Hill and Michael Gray firing the consolations.Lewis Coburn’s hat-trick inspired Framwellgate Moor WMC to a 7-0 victory at Newton Hall Jovial Monk.Ian Field, David Crank, Sam Plant and Liam Wrightson also notched.Ushaw Moor Cricket Club ran out 6-4 winners in an entertaining game at Eppleton Cricket Club. Andrew Smith capped a fine display with four goals for Ushaw Moor, backed by Stevan Storey and Michael Abson. Liam Ord fired a hat-trick for Eppleton, with Anthony Froud also on target.Premier champions Pelton RAOB proved too strong, as expected, for Fourth Division hosts Quarrington Hill.The home side, though, bagged a fifth-minute opener, Neil Simpson producing a well-placed shot. Dan Beaney cleared off the line before Buffs bagged three goals by the break, prior to adding five more on the restart.Keeper Jordan Nicholson was outstanding for Hill.Witton Gilbert WMC conceded six first-half goals in a 6-3 loss to Sedgefield Social Club, with David Calcutt (2) and a good Scott Embleton effort bagging the consolations.Waldridge Park showed no mercy against Division Four side Durham Buffaloes Head in a 14-0 rout.Joe Hughes hit six goals, backed by doubles from Jamie Taylor, Chris Days and Adam Campbell Bell, with Darren Redfern and Lloyd McGee also on target. Aiden Herron stood out for Buffs.New Brancepeth WMC won on penalties after a 1-1 draw at Bishop Middleham.Callum Bramwell gave Bishop a second-half lead, but Chris Dunham equalised. Captain Phil Best and Jonathan Smith both missed for Bishop in the shoot-out as Brancepeth won 4-3, with keeper Phil Pouton the hero.Sherburn Village emphasised their Premier class with a 5-0 defeat of understrength Houghton Chilton Lodge.Scott Arnott (2), Karl Hutchinson, Steven Turnbull and a luckless own goal by Adam Summerson saw off the battling visitors, whose star man was defender Andrew MacPherson.Bowburn came through 4-3 winners against Lumley Snooker. Ben Johnson broke from halfway to hit Bowburn’s opener from 15 yards, then he crossed for Sean McGrail to make it 2-1.Lumley hit back to lead 3-2, but Daniel Crisp tucked away an equalising penalty, after Stephen Burke was fouled, then Adam Birks cut in from the left to slide home the winner. Adam Kirk stood out for Lowborn.Ouston Juniors played well against Chilton WMC but went down 3-1. Neil Worley’s goal had Ouston level at the break, but Michael Searby and Nicky Pickford (2) gave the Premier side the win. .Hilda Park succumbed 1-0 to Newton Aycliffe Locomotion but had plenty of positives from an impressive team performance.Good link-up play between the visitors’ forwards brought about the only goal just before half-time. Geoff Halliday and Kieron Moralee stood out for Hilda.The only league game on the opening weekend saw Ouston Cherry Tree earn a 0-0 Premier Division draw against Heart Foundation Cup winners Sacriston Cricket Club. Sacriston hit the woodwork twice,had a penalty claim waved away and had a goal ruled as well as finding home keeper Andrew Jefferson in top form.