Lion clinch crunch clash

In a very competitive game played in difficult conditions, Lion started the stronger.

Although Alan Hoey went close for the home side, Andy Allen put Lion ahead with a free-kick midway through the half. They increased their lead in the second period when Rory Barker fired home from just inside the box. Athletic were reduced to ten men when Ian Gallagher was dismissed but Andy Ruddock missed the resultant penalty. Sixteen-year-old Michael Harrison was best for an Athletic side who pushed Lion all the way.

Shakespeare 2 Burn Valley Club 7

An evenly contested first half saw chance after chance at both ends with the two keepers responsible for keeping the score down. Burn Valley led 3-2 at the break with Jimmy Gillies and Stephen Leighton on the mark for the home side. The second period was equally open but it was the visitors who took their chances - although the managed to miss two penalties. Their scorers were David Watson (2), Ian Davies (2), Andrew Tose, Lee Haggan, & Anthony Broome. Keith Brookbanks starred for Shakespeare with Neil West working tirelessly for the winners.

Supporters Club 2 Rovers 5

The home side could only field ten men but still pushed Rovers all the way in a game played in very difficult weather conditions. Rovers had the early chances with Andy McKenna and Jon Kegans seeing efforts come back off the woodwork. Supporters took the lead but Sean Hughes soon equalised from close range. McKenna put the visitors ahead but ten-man Supporters equalised on the stroke of half-time. Rovers lifted their game in the second half and made the most of their numerical advantage. Keith Hutchinson put Rovers ahead and Lee Campbell added another, beating four men to score a fine individual goal. Hutchinson completed the scoring with a 30 yard thunderbolt in a game well handled by Stan Henderson in difficult conditions.

First Division

Greatham Bull & Dog 2 Woodcutter 1

An overdue league win for Bull & Dog who continue to play attractive football without converting enough of their many chances. Daniel Bew opened the scoring after forcing a mistake from a defender and doubled their lead before the break when Stephen Hadfield's defence-splitting pass was converted by Bew. The Greatham side created many second half chances but poor finishing and good work by Wilson in the visitors' goal saw them fail to increase their tally. 'Cutter pulled a goal back with Peter Mincher's 85th minute penalty, but Bull & Dog held on.

Nursery 4 Travellers Rest 2

An improving Travs side gave Nursery a good run for their money before the latter triumphed by four goals to two. The visitors took the lead when Danny Emmerson's through ball was neatly finished by Peter Twidale but Ray Ward equalised - Marv Walker almost restored their lead but saw his 40 yard effort rebound off the crossbar. Nursery had more of the game in the second half and went ahead when James Parkinson headed home and an own goal gifted them a two-goal cushion. Steve Doyle made it four before Travs' efforts were rewarded when peter Allen scored his first goal for the club with the last kick of the game.

Tunstall Old Boys 2 Throston Wand. 5

Tunstall had most of the play in the first half and took the lead through an own goal, with Thomas Hudson and Dean Hustler going close for Throston. The visitors came out fighting in the second half and equalised with Danny riches' 35-yarder and Hustler's free-kick put the ahead. Hudson added two more before Tunstall pulled another back, but hustler rounded off the scoring.

Second Division

Athletic Millhouse 5 Charter Bar 3

The home side took the lead when Craig Thompson raced clear to slot past the keeper, then doubled the lead with a neat header. He then turned provider to Paul Craig for the third before completing his own hat-trick with a 30-yard drive which went in off the cross-bar. Charter Bar never gave up and scored three goals either side of half-time. Deep into the second half, Craig crossed for Shane Bean to head home.

Seaton Holy Trinity 3 King Johns Tav. 1

Seaton got back to winning ways after two bad results. Ian McDonough set up Robert Thompson for their first from 15 yards and then crossed for Lee Munslow to head home. Phil Thompson pulled one back for King Johns from close range. Thompson was twice denied by man of the match Andy Fletcher in the visitors goal before Seaton's Tommy Swift added the third from the spot.

Stranton Athletic 6 Moorcock 1

A comfortable win for Stranton in conditions which were difficult for both sides. Their goals came from Andy Carter, Lee Arnold, Mally Sabin and a Tom Anderson hat-trick. Moorcock did well to keep the first half deficit to two as they kicked into the driving rain and lost the services of their keeper. Mark Stewart pulled a goal back for them from a tight angle, but they couldn't convert any further chances. Wayne Thompson was best for the home side with Mick Robinson starring for Moorcock.

TMD 2 Clarendon Hotel 3

Clarendon came out on top of this excellent clash at a rain swept Rift House. Adam Palmer had two good chances before eventually opening his account for the visitors with a fine finish after good work by Barlow and Robinson. Andrew Lloyd equalised midway through the first half but Palmer soon restored Clarendon's advantage as he beat both a defender and keeper to the ball. They added a third when Jewson's thunderbolt was spilled and Peter Smith pounced for his third in two games. Brendan Deer volleyed home a second for TMD but they couldn't find an equaliser. Maddison and Greig were best for TMD with Palmer, Smith and Barlow starring for the visitors.

County Cup

St Francis 2000 1 Bill. Stoney Oak 2

A last minute goal put pay to St Francis' hopes of progressing further. They pressed hard in the first half but it was the Billingham side who took the lead. They continued their efforts in the second period only to be thwarted by the visitors' keeper. David Angel did grab a late equaliser and the game looked to be heading for extra time but Stoney Oak scored a late winner.

Stockton Vickers Construction 1 Corporation Welf. 1

(Corporation Welf. won 3-2 on pens)

Corporation Welfare progressed through to the 4th Preliminary round of the County Cup with a penalty shoot-out victory. They took the lead early in the first half with Mark Barnfather again on the mark. Michael Boagey made some outstanding saves and Mick Dawson was solid at the back, but they could not prevent an equaliser from the Stockton side. Extra time failed to separate the two teams and the game went to penalties. Boagey saved three out of five spot-kicks and John Tumilty held his nerve to see the visitors through.

Welfare Cosmo. 3 B'park The Love 2

Both sides played surprisingly good football considering the arctic conditions. The visitors took the lead direct from a wind-assisted corner, but welfare drew level when Jamie Fleming curled a free-kick round the wall into the top corner. In the second half chances went amiss at both ends and with time running out Broompark regained the lead. Good work by Kev Harrison set up a late, late equaliser for lee Stoddart who fired into the top corner to take the game to extra time. Five minutes in, Stoddart fired home the golden goal from close range after Fleming's free-kick had been blocked.

* Burton House lost 3-2 to West Park.