Wednesday's football March 2
05/03/11 11:08 Filed in: Reports
WEARSIDE LEAGUE by MALCOLM PRATT
AFTER suffering only their second defeat of the season in the previous game, Wearside League leaders Easington Colliery bounced back to form against Annfield Plain last night.
Former Durham City player Simon Todd, signed from Seaham Red Star, made a dream debut giving the Colliers a third-minute lead. His long-range shot flew into the net, giving Plain goalkeeper Stephen Kennedy no chance.
The visitors quickly levelled as Dominic Elliott finished off a nicely-worked move but two goals in a minute early in the second period had Easington back in the ascendancy.
James Donnelly cut in from the right and fired into the top corner of the net before Dale Crawford made it 3-1 with a fierce drive from the edge of the penalty area.
Easington remain nine points in front of New Marske who came from behind to win 3-1 at Silksworth.
James Gillespie finished off a good move down the left, slotting the ball home at the far post after just a couple of minutes.
The Wearsiders though were then undone when they failed to defend two set pieces. Shaun Howes equalised following a corner and Michael Mackin struck from a free kick.
Midway through the second period, Shaun Mackin beat goalkeeper John McClean and although they pressed in the later stages, the Wearsiders rarely troubled Seasiders' keeper Justin Hutchinson.
Ryhope CW stay third despite conceding two points to visitors Redcar Athletic.
Sam Young headed in a corner after only three minutes but by the seventh minute John Butler had equalised for Ryhope.
Houghton Town gained a welcome victory when they defeated Kirkbymoorside with a 13th-minute goal from Chris Curtis which was worthy of winning any game.
Curtis was well outside the penalty area when he struck a superb volley which rocketed into the top corner of the net giving goalkeeper Aaron Rivis no chance.
Both teams produced an excellent game of attacking football and despite going down to 10 men on 70 minutes with the dismissal of Rob McDermott, the visitors had Houghton penned back into their own half but failed to equalise.
Boldon CA celebrated the switching on of their new floodlights when they went nap against Coxhoe Athletic.
Kris Robertson bagged a brace of goals with Michael Meek, James Hudson and Shaun Reay (pen) completing a comprehensive 5-0 victory.
Alan Blair, Laurie Black and Dean Rogers (2), swept Windscale to a 4-1 success at Willington whose only reply came from debutant John Roberts.
Cleator Moor Celtic played only their third game this year and edged Hartlepool 2-1 with goals from Robbie Fowler and Craig Padley. Shaun Ross replied for Pools.
Saturday's football February 26
27/02/11 10:57 Filed in: Reports
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
22/02/11 10:19 Filed in: Reports
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
14/02/11 15:48 Filed in: Reports
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
10/02/11 10:52 Filed in: Reports
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.