Emergency Services League
Easington Police continued their search for a trophy on all three available fronts, thanks to their win over Frankland in the League cup. The two closely matches teams finished their second round tie 1-1 with Neil Robinson scoring for Easington and Ian Gibson scoring for Frankland. The tie went to penalties, where it was Easington who kept their nerve running out 4-1 winners. Their reward is the semi-final tie with Durham and CLS who they meet in the Meredith Trophy Final on March 20 at Chester-le-Street.
Durham Fire Brigade also progressed to the semi-finals with a 3-1 win at high-flying Langbaurgh. Goals from Lee Thomas, Stuart Thew and veteran Colin Jones saw the Fire team through, where they will meet Derwentside who progressed because Darlington failed to turn a team out.
In the league Sunderland Saints put six past struggling Stockton who only had nine men. Les Goodliff scored four and was man of the match with Craig Murray and Andy Roper getting a goal each. Gary Cookland scored for Stockton.
Durham and CLS were also winners against nine men, beating Sedgefield 3-0 thanks to goals by Ellis Hall, Andy Davison and man of the match Paul Jackson.
Bowman Anderson Accountants Spennymoor Sunday League
The League has once again secured Spennymoor United's Brewery Field as the venue for their cup finals. The league has enjoyed a fruitful partnership with the Unibond League club for a number of years.
And that bond was sealed for the fifth successive year when the club agreed to host the Spennymoor League's five finals.
Excited league officials last week set the dates for the finals, which - apart from one exception - will all be played on Sunday mornings.
"We're delighted that Spennymoor United Football Club are backing us again this year," said League Secretary Mike Clarke.
The league is hoping that clubs support them by attending the finals, which have been especially arranged not to clash with league fixtures. The Second Division Cup Final - between Binchester Social Club and Broompark Loves - is due to be played on Sunday April 21, while the First Division Cup Final between Eldon Lane and Huntsman has been scheduled for Sunday May 5.
The League Cup Final will go ahead on Sunday, May 19 and the B&A Trophy Final on Sunday, May 12. Finally, the Invitation Cup Final will be played on Friday, May 10.
Entry to all finals are free and drinks will be available from the clubhouse.
Huntsman took one step further to the League Cup Final with a 2-0 win over Europa in the quarter-finals - Steve Hepples and Wayne Marram scoring the goals. Huntsman take on Royal George in the semi-finals, with Green Tree playing the Eldon Lane in the other.
Postchaise beat the Locomotion 5-2 in the quarters of the B&A Trophy to set up a semi tie with Europa. Scott Stainsby (2), Ray Walton (2) and Lee Taylor scored for Postchaise, with John Airey and Chris Small netting for Loco. Broompark Loves and Brawns Den make up the other semi.
In League action last week, Old Shildon ground out a 3-3 draw with Newton Aycliffe - a result which makes the Division One title chase all the more exciting. John Poulter, Ian Maddison and Darren Plaice scored for Shildon, and James Miller (2) and Paul Stevens scored for Aycliffe. Meanwhile, Aycliffe players and supporters would like to wish Craig Murray well after the midfielder broke his leg last week.
Brandon lifted themselves out of the bottom two with a thrilling 10-5 victory over the Grand. Scorers for Brandon were: Lee Nyland (3), Peter Boucher (3), Kevin Williams, Mark Hillman, Andrew Stewart and Brendan Young. Mark Priestly (2), Mark Cowley (2) and Kevin Priestly scored for the Grand.
In Division Two, promotion chasers Spennymoor Thorns and Broompark Loves both maintained their push at the top with wins.
Thorns beat Boot & Shoe 9-0 - Mark Russell (4), Steven Richardson (3), Michael Oliver and Keith Hirst were on the scoresheet. The Loves beat Brawns Den 4-0 thanks to goals by Mark Frost, Brent Naylor, Gavin Wood and Kevin Chatterton.
Results - Division One: Old Shildon 3, Newton Aycliffe 3; Brandon 10, The Grand 5.
Division Two: Pit Laddie 2, Binchester Social Club 2; Loves 4, Brawns Den 0; Boot & Shoe 0, Thorns 9; Black Horse 6, Binchester Hotel 0; Masons Utd 4, Victoria 3; Two Blues 2, Green Tree 3.
League Cup QF: Huntsman 2, Europa 0.
B&A Trophy QF: Postchaise 5, Locomotion 2.
Remaining Cup games - League Cup: SF: Green Tree v Old Shildon, Royal George v Huntsman (Sunday, April 21). FINAL: Sunday, May 19.
B&A Trophy: SF: Broompark Loves v Brawns Den, Europa v Postchaise (Sunday, March 17). FINAL: Sunday, May 12.
Invitation Cup: R1: Newton Aycliffe v Masons United (Sunday, March 17). R2: N.Aycliffe/Masons Utd v Binchester Social Club, Royal George v Broompark Loves, Pit Laddie v Brawns Den, Green Tree v Shildon Athletic (Sunday, March 17). QF: S.Thorns v Green Tree/Shildon Athletic, Postchaise v Europa, Royal George/B.Loves v Pit Laddie/Brawns Den, Victoria v Newton Aycliffe/Masons Utd/Binchester SC (Tuesday, April 2). SF: Tuesday, April 16. FINAL: Friday May 10.
Second Division Cup Final: Binchester Social Club v Broompark Loves (Sunday, April 21).
First Division Cup Final: Eldon Lane v Huntsman (Sunday, May 5).
Sunderland Catholic Club Over 40s League
IPremier League Billingham Wanderers defeated lowly Marden 6-3 away from home. Keith Aldridge gave them the lead after two minutes and further goals from Mark Steele and Kevin Smith put them 3-0 up after ten minutes. Keith Miller scored for Marden close on half-time. The restart saw Billingham still dominating the game for Aldridge to score and made it 4-0 only for Miller to again score for Marden. Further goals from Aldridge (hat-trick) and Keith Corner made it 6-2 before Ian Sharpe scored a late goal for Marden. Billingham stay in third place a point adrift but still very strong championship contenders.
Ferryhill Greyhound blew their chances by losing 3-2 at home to the Lord Seaham. They began badly and two defensive errors allowed Lord Seaham to grab two early goals. Kevin Simpson reduced the arrears to make it 2-1 at the interval. Lord Seaham increased their lead shortly after the restart and Ferryhill just could not break through until willie Taylor scored in the closing minutes 3-2 but time had run out.
In division two Glaxo lost 1-0 at home to promotion seekers Cleveland Bridge. This game was a relegation/promotion battle. It was end to end football with both sides having chance, the first half ending goalless. The restart saw a similar pattern evolving and it was a late goal from Mark Smith which settled the issue in Cleveland's favour.
Newton Aycliffe lost 4-0 at home to the champions, the unbeaten Barnes Hotel, but are still in second place and look good for promotion. Barnes always held the edge scoring two goals in each half without a reply. Hero of the game for Aycliffe was their keeper Robbie Brown, who had an outstanding game pulling off a series of super saves.
In division three West Cornforth lost 4-3 away to Taylors and with only three league games remaining must win at least two of their matches to keep clear of relegation as the five teams below them have games in hand, but Cornforth have the points and they also must win their matches.
Durham C Strollers put themselves well clear by winning 3-1 away to Hylton Castle. They led 1-0 at the interval and after the restart dominated the game to lead 3-0 before Hylton pulled one back through Bobby Kelly in the closing minutes.
Wynyard Vets defeated Regency Windows 4-3 at home. The first half ended goalless but the restart saw Vets turn in a series of defensive blunders and let Regency go 3-0 up courtesy of Ian Freeman, Trevor Motson and Steve Hogg. Somehow the Vets got back into the game, Alan Morning pulled one back and Mo Najah made it 2-3 and the Vets stormed back. Morning levelled and in a grandstand finish Mo Najah scored the winners in the last minute.
In division four Billingham Town kept their promotion hopes alive by defeating the Sportsmans Arms 2-1 at home and stay in third place.
Darlington Railway dropped two valuable points by drawing 0-0 at home to Thornley Celtic, but with seven games still to play they still have a slight hope of promotion left depending on how the other contenders fare.
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