Feb 2011

Saturday's football February 26


WEARSIDE LEAGUE
by MALCOLM PRATT

EASINGTON Colliery were on the receiving end of the shock result of the season
on Saturday when Willington won at Hall Lane.

Andy Colledge's side went into the game having lost just once in 21 games and
boasting by far the best goals difference.

They were firm favourites to take another step towards promotion but were
rocked on 33 minutes when Jason White beat the offside trap and slotted the
ball wide of goalkeeper Nicky Lawson.

Willington went two up after an hour. The ball stuck on the difficult surface
and when Easington's defenders failed to clear, Danny Lee pounced.

Just before the end the Colliers almost reduced the deficit as an effort
rebounded from the underside of the crossbar but Willington keeper Andrew
Stocks was quick to react.

Easington still command a nine-points lead but New Marske, whose fixture was
one of five to be postponed, now have two games in hand.

Prudhoe Town prop up the table after losing to Darlington RA despite scoring
first with a good effort from Andy Hoban.

Michael Richardson restored parity on the hour and six minutes from time, Nick
Petch beat goalkeeper Ross Thomas in a goalmouth scramble.

David Turner fired Annfield Plain into a halftime lead at home to Coxhoe
Athletic and Paul Henderson doubled the advantage with 10 minutes remaining.

At this stage, the Plain were coasting to victory but when Shaun Laverick
reduced the deficit on 87 minutes an exciting finale ensued. Coxhoe though
failed to claim an equaliser.

Alan Blair gave Windscale the lead after just 15 seconds at Kirkbymoorside for
whom goalkeeper Adam Maxon saved a Dean Rogers penalty before Ryan Cooper,
Johnny Brown and Uyi Ehima earned the points for the Yorkshiremen.

Ryhope CW, who are third top, had their fixture with Boldon CA called off and
the games between Silksworth and Cleator Moor Celtic, Houghton Town at Stockton
Town, Jarrow versus Ashbrooke Belford House and Wolviston against New Marske
also fell victim to waterlogged pitches.

Saturday's football February 19

 
WEARSIDE LEAGUE by MALCOLM PRATT
 
EASINGTON  Colliery still command a healthy lead at the top of the table but  it was  reduced  to nine points when New Marske managed to stage one of only  three games on Saturday.
 
The  Seasiders suffered a setback as Annfield Plain's Colin Snailham converted a penalty  but  a  minute  before  the interval New Marske  were  also  awarded  a spot-kick which Ricky Phillips fired past goalkeeper Stephen Kennedy.
 
It  remained  nip  and  tuck  until the home side  put  the  game  beyond  their opponents, scoring three times in eight minutes late in the game.
 
Daniel  Jones was on target before Phillips completed his hat-trick to help  New Marske into second place with a game in hand on Easington.
 
At  the  other end of the table Coxhoe Athletic  are second bottom  following  a three-goals defeat at home to Redcar Athletic.
 
Billy  Millington  bagged  a brace of goals in the first half and  although  the second  period  was  more evenly contested, James Kesterton made it  three  just before the end.
 
Jarrow  twice  came from behind to claim a point at Hartlepool.  Daniel  Corbett was  a  10th-minute  marksman  and before the break Dean Patton  rifled  in  the equaliser from the edge of the penalty area.
 
Within  three  minutes  of  resuming  Pools were again  in  front  through  Carl McDermott  and  there were only three minutes left on the clock as Paul  Turrell delivered  a  clinical  finish from 20 yards which gave home  goalkeeper  Philip Wilson no chance.
 
Four  league  fixtures  were called off as were the Sunderland  Shipowners'  Cup Semi-Finals  between  Easington  and Cleator Moor Celtic and  Ryhope  CW  versus Kirkbymoorside.
 

Saturday's football February 12


WEARSIDE LEAGUE by MALCOLM PRATT
 
THE  games involving the leading trio were postponed but Ashbrooke Belford House failed to take advantage and close in on their rivals.
 
Victory  would have lifted them into third place but despite scoring first, they suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Annfield Plain.
 
Mark   Green  raised  the  expectations  of  Tommy  Dobbing's  team  before  the introduction of Stephen Kirkbride early in the second period proved decisive.
 
It was Kirkbride who fired Annfield Plain back into the game and 20 minutes from time he was left with a simple tap-in for what proved to be the winning goal.
 
Ashbrooke  have  slipped  back to fifth and Windscale are now  fourth  following their thrilling five-goals contest with Willington.
 
The  Cumbrians  made  a dream start, scoring twice in the  opening  20  minutes. Player  manager Matthew Henney headed in at the near post on five minutes before Dean  Rogers  was  left with a simple chance following excellent  work  by  Alan Blair.
 
It looked all over for Willington as Andrew Hurley produced a tremendous 30-yard drive which swerved away from goalkeeper Chris Sawyer on its way into the net.
 
With 20 minutes remaining, however, Daniel Lee threw the visitors a lifeline and when  Michael Weston beat the offside trap after 75 minutes, the result was  all to play for.
 
Windscale  held  on for a 3-2 victory and are fourth - their highest  rating  so far.
 
Boldon CA have struggled near the bottom of the table for most of the season but they  marginally improved their position with a six-goals blast at Cleator  Moor Celtic.
 
There  was  no hint of the goals avalanche which was to follow when  both  sides managed just one apiece in the opening period.
 
Michael Dickinson struck for Celtic with Chris Robertson on target for the South Tynesiders who went on to dominate the second half.
 
Further  goals flowed from Shaun Reay (2), Michael Meek (2) and Shaun Heals with Barry Irvine claiming a second consolation for the hosts.
 
Coxhoe  Athletic slipped to second from bottom after losing by the only goal  to Darlington Cleveland Bridge.
 
The  outcome  of a poor game was decided in the 38th minute when  Dan  McLachlan fired home at the far post past Coxhoe goalkeeper Tom Orton.
 
Jarrow  grabbed a stoppage-time equaliser at Kirkbymoorside where Liam Clark had given them a ninth-minute lead, as his low shot found the net from the inside of the post.
 
Soon  afterwards  Peter Kane's penalty was saved by home goalkeeper Adam  Magsen and just before the interval, Rob McDermott levelled.
 
Sarjo  Cham gave the Yorkshiremen the lead for the first time midway during  the second  half  and it was not until the 91st minute that Peter Kirkham  earned  a point for the visitors.
 
Hartlepool's  game with Prudhoe Town was abandoned after just two minutes. Pools Philip  Ross broke the same leg he fractured two years ago and after being taken to  hospital  by ambulance, players from both teams decided they didn't want  to continue. Their wish was upheld by the referee.
 

Wednesday's football February 9


WEARSIDE LEAGUE by MALCOLM PRATT

EASINGTON Colliery and Ryhope CW were both on the receiving end of shock results in last night's Wearside League programme.

The Colliers went into their home fixture with Wolviston firm favourites but were rocked as the visitors enjoyed a 3-0 romp.

Ryan Hebb produced a good finish from the edge of the penalty area on 16 minutes and 12 minutes from time, Kallum Hannah doubled the visitors' lead.

In the last minute the Colliers threw everyone forward for a corner, including goalkeeper Niki Lawson and when the ball was cleared, David Aninakwah completed a comprehensive victory for Wolviston.

It was Easington's first reverse in 21 games but they still have a 10-points lead over Ryhope CW who were also surprisingly defeated, by Hartlepool.

The only goal came after 35 minutes when 16-year old Craig Hutchinson scored for the first time since joining Pools.

Silksworth also went down by the only goal to Stockton, whose scorer was David Johnson, and there was another defeat for Houghton Town who crashed 4-1 to Jarrow.

Peter Kane (2), Liam Clarke and Chris Coombes had the visitors four goals up until the 85th minute when Micky Curtis scored the goal of the game with a tremendous individual effort.

Prudhoe Town celebrated winning for only the second time in 24 games. Just before the end of their home fixture with Cleator Moor Celtic, Michael Pooley drove past Craig Devine.

Annfield Plain defeated Willington thanks to Colin Snailham (pen) and Jonathan Kemp. Mitchell Sowerby had levelled from the spot.

Saturday's football February 5


WEARSIDE LEAGUE By MALCOLM PRATT

SILKSWORTH moved out of the bottom three with victory over out-of-form Houghton Town at Leyburn Grove on Saturday.

Richard Maughan and Jonathan Fox had Steven Smith's side two goals up by half-time and it was just about all over for Houghton when James Gillespie made it three after an hour.

Houghton, who have played more games than any other side, have slipped to sixth from the basement and conceded 77 goals from 25 matches.

Bottom-of-the-table Prudhoe Town have leaked the most goals and the five which Ryhope CW racked up took their unenviable total to 88.

The Wearsiders, now second top, went ahead through Martin Metcalfe but suffered a blow a minute before the interval with the dismissal of captain Phil Hall.

The numerical disadvantage, however, didn't pose a problem and in the second period they went nap with a superb hat-trick by substitute John Butler and one goal from David Newby.

Boldon CA are just above Prudhoe Town after losing to Stockton Town whose marksmen were Joe Hinchley and Matthew Richardson.

There's no stopping Easington Colliery at the other end of the table and they enjoy a 10-points lead over Ryhope CW with the sides having played the same number of games.

The Colliers made it 17 wins and three draws in 20 games when they defeated fourth-top Ashbrooke Belford House with a brace of goals by Barry Turton and one from Dale Crawford after Alan Young had fired Ashbrooke ahead.

Shaun Ross scored both Hartlepool goals in the win over Willington while Shaun Gregory's first-half header proved sufficient for Wolviston at Kirkbymoorside.

James Kesterton and Daniel Drazdauskas were Redcar Athletic's matchwinners over Annfield Plain whose only reply came from Colin Snailham.

The goals flowed at Darlington Cleveland Bridge but they were all scored by Windscale who are up to fifth. Dean Rogers rifled a hat-trick with Graeme Goulding also finding the net.

New Marske, in third position, just two points behind Ryhope CW with a game in hand, maintained their challenge for a league and cup double with victory at Coxhoe Athletic.

Shaun Mackin and Daniel Jones netted with Philip Bulmer replying for Coxhoe. Victory earned the Seasiders their place in the Third Round of the League Cup. Jarrow's tie at Cleator Moor Celtic was postponed because of a water-logged pitch.

Wednesday's football February 2


WEARSIDE LEAGUE
by MALCOLM PRATT

EASINGTON Colliery stretched their lead at the top of the Wearside League to
nine points but their game with Jarrow was marred with only four minutes
remaining.

Jarrow's Lee Smith had only been on the field 10 minutes when he suffered a
suspected broken leg and was taken by ambulance to hospital.

There was a 20-minute delay before the Colliers emerged 1-0 winners thanks to
Adam McGuinness's fierce shot after only eight minutes.

Houghton Town played 88 minutes with 10 men and almost the entire second half
with just nine. It wasn't surprising therefore, that they crashed to a 5-0
defeat against Hartlepool at Leyburn Grove.

Mark Catchside was red-carded after two minutes following an off-the-ball
incident and two minutes later Shaun Ross converted a penalty.

Further goals followed from Ian Purvis, Steve Chapman and Ross to leave Houghton
with a mountain to climb at the halfway stage.

They made three substitutions during the interval and early in the second
period, Brad Freeman was injured and took no further part in the game.

Despite being two men short, Houghton did not concede a fifth goal until just
before the end when Chapman struck for a second time.

Silksworth were the latest side to feel Kirkbymoorside's scoring prowess. The
Yorkshiremen put 10 goals past Prudhoe Town at the weekend and scored three on
their visit to Wearside.

Tom Ellis steered the ball wide of goalkeeper Anthony Mustard after 15 minutes
before two goals in the five minutes immediately before the interval ended
Silksworth's hopes.

Rob McDermott latched onto a long ball over the defence and gave Mustard no
chance and Martin Cooper hit a tremendous 25-yard shot which crashed into the
net.

Ryhope CW progressed in the Wearside League Cup following a five-goals thriller
with Annfield Plain.

Dean Lee fired the visitors in front and on the stroke of half time Clayton
Davis levelled.

Early in the second period Martin Metcalfe pounced on a defensive blunder to
give Ryhope the lead only for Stephen Kirkbride to restore parity on 70 minutes.

With time running out, Metcalfe hit the winner from inside the six-yard box.

Willington are the most improved side this season and they went through against
Redcar Athletic who have now lost their last four games.

Mikey Weston and Jason White were the scorers in a 2-0 win at Hall Lane.

Saturday's football January 29

WEARSIDE LEAGUE by MALCOLM PRATT
 
EASINGTON  Colliery  extended their lead at the top of the table to  six  points when  they  defeated  nearest rivals New Marske in the match of the  day at  the seaside.
 
Adam McGuinness gave them the lead with a good finish on the stroke of half time and  midway  through  the second period, Chris Tarn also  beat  home  goalkeeper Justin Hutchinson.
 
With  only  three  minutes remaining, New Marske were awarded  a  penalty  which Michael  Mackin  fired past Nicky Lawson, who again impressed making his  second appearance.
 
The  scene  was  set for a frenetic finale. The hosts pressed searching  for  an equaliser  but  the  Colliers'  defenders stood firm and played a  big  part  in their side's crucial victory.
 
Ryhope  CW,  whose  fixture was one of five to be postponed, stay third  just  a point  adrift of New Marske while Ashbrooke Belford House regained winning  form at Hartlepool.
 
Martin  Deacon  fired  wide  of goalkeeper Mark Bell on  15  minutes  and  Pools suffered  another  blow  just  before the interval with the  dismissal  of  Mark Nicholson.
 
Immediately  on  resuming,  Michael Charlton doubled the  Wearsiders'  lead  but despite  playing  with  just 10 men, Pools performed better  during  the  second period.
 
Carl  Anderson  volleyed  home a Johnny Bolton free kick and the hosts  had  the chance to equalise 12 minutes from the end.
 
They  were  awarded  a penalty and goalkeeper Brett Wilson turned  Shaun  Ross's kick  onto  the  post. The ball rebounded and Wilson made a fantastic  stop  and then somehow got his legs to the ball as Ross followed up a second time.
 
Two  minutes  later, the pressure on Belford House was relieved as Peter  Benson broke  clear  of the home defence and chipped the goalkeeper. A minute from  the end Ashbrooke's Michael Melmore was dismissed.
 
Because  of  work  commitments,  several Houghton Town players  were  unable  to travel and it wasn't surprising that Windscale emerged 4-2 winners.
 
Alan  Blair,  with  a  brace, Dean Rogers and Laurie Black had  them  firmly  in command  by  the 26th minute but Houghton produced a better performance  in  the second period.
 
Mark  Catchside  reduced the four-goals deficit two minutes after the break  and then  converted  a  72nd-minute penalty. Houghton dominated for 10  minutes  but Windscale soaked up the pressure and in the end were comfortable winners.
 
Redcar  Athletic,  who  together  with Easington Colliery  and  Ryhope  CW  have applied   for  promotion  to  the  STL  Northern  League,  lost  for  the  third successive time when Boldon CA were surprising 2-1 winners.
 
Michael   Meek  headed  in  after  an  hour  and  following  James   Kesterton's equaliser,  second-bottom  Boldon took the points with a late penalty  by  Shaun Reay.
 
Prudhoe  Town  scored  first  through Gavin Lisle but suffered a  10-1  rout  at Kirkbymoorside  whose  marksmen were Alex Strickland (4), Rob McDermid (3),  Uyi Ehima (2) and Ryan Cooper.