Football News

Over-40s League

premier League champions Billingham Wanderers drew 1-1 away to Bates Cottages in a hard fought game. Midway through the first-half Colin Watson pulled a muscle and 'Bilko' Wilkinson substituted and scored with first first touch of the ball, heading home Rodgerson's free kick. Billingham levelled in the second-half when Garner headed home a cross from Corner.

Marden trounced bottom of the league Gateshead Ex-Servicemen 6-0 and moved into second place, leaders Sunderland Railway having a better goal difference.

In Division One, Cap'n Flints Pirates (Masons Arms) maintained their recent unbeaten run with a 1-1 home draw against promotion hopefuls Heworth Green. Pirates led 1-0 at the interval thanks to a goal from John Whitehead and held on until three minutes from time when Gateshead grabbed an equaliser in a goalmouth melee. For the Pirates, Gordon Bennett starred in defence and Kevin Hodgson was outstanding in midfield.

Glaxo disappointed when they lost 3-2 at home to Rams Head who opened a three-goal advantage. Glaxo's usual star player Corby Waistell was injured and had to be substituted after 20 minutes. It was not until after the restart that Glaxo came back strongly through David Bowes with a brilliant solo effort and Graham Hammond added a second with ten minutes left but they just could not score an equaliser. Ron Thexton played well for Glaxo but the star of the game was Rams Head keeper Bradwell.

In the Kenny Ball Cup, Wynyard Veterans won 3-0 against West Cornforth. After a goalless first-half, playing into the wind seemed to suit them and they dominated the second period. Peter Boldison gave them the lead with a fine solo effort, Peter Allen went clear after beating two defenders to score and and in the closing minutes Boldison scored his second goal.

In the Villa Real Cup semi-final Owton Manor lost 3-1 at home to Penshaw Catholic. The final takes place at Wearmouth's ground on Boxing Day. It will be between Penshaw Catholic and Steels or Ferryhill Greyhound.

Stepy's Coaches Durham and District Sunday League

Two goals from Gary Collinson gave Bearpark WMC their first cup win off the season, 2-0 at Duhram Bede Lodge in the Durham Driveways Trophy, preliminary round.

Ferryhill Eldon Arms also booked a place in the next round with a 2-1 win over visitors Chester-le-Street Horners, Andy Sams and subsitute Simon Malkin scoring.

Top scorer of the day in the competition was Gary Thirwell from Brandon Ridge, hitting four goals in a 6-1 win at Ferryhill WMC, Craig Bunker scoring the other two. Andy Davies replied for Ferryhill.

Two goals from Jimmy Luck gave Langley Moor Hotel a 2-1 win at the Blacksmiths Arms.

Again the weather played havoc with a lot fixtures being postponed including delayed games in the Durham County Sunday Cup, creating a nightmare for the fixture secretary.

The only game played in the Premier Division saw Fishburn WMC record their first win of the season, winning 3-1 at Relton Terrace WMC, Gary Smith, Peter Cummings and Graham Kime scoring.

In the First Division, two games were played. Sherburn Lambton Arms won 4-2 at Brandon Bay Horse with goals by Chris Gillespie, Andy Wollett (2) and Colin Milburn. Sacriston WMC crashed to their biggest defeat of the season, losing 6-1 to visitors Kelloe WMC for whom Dave Milburn hit a hat-trick, Andy Soppitt,Dave Morrow and Steve Weir adding to the tally

In the Second Division, Bowburn Cooperage were 6-4 winners against visitors Lumley Snooker, top marksman Stephen Adair scoring four with Andy Dunn and Mike Carruthers adding one each. A solo effeort from Greg Chapman was not enough for Langley Park WMC, beaten 2-1 by visitors Houghton Mill All Stars.

In the Third Division, home club Ouston Red Lion, and the leaders Washington Sports shared the points in a 2-2 draw. Newton Hall Jovial Monk moved into second spot with a fine 4-2 home win over fourth-placed Hetton New Inn, thanks to goals from Paul Dowthwaitte, Chris Taylor, Mark Mitchell and substitute Ross Allen.

The only game played in the Fourth Division saw Chilton WMC win 6-0 at Hamsteels CW.

Washington Honest Boy took over at the top of Division Five, winning 7-4 at Lumley with goals from Alan Brumwell (3), Phil Fenwick (2) and one each for Paul Cockburn and Jimmy Corrigan. Langley Moor Lord Boyne won 9-3 against Hamilton Row Black Horse. Houghton Robbie Burns gained a 3-1 success at Witton Gilbert White Tunn and Langley Park Social shared the points in a 2-2 draw at Kirk Merrington Half Moon, Graham Powell and Andy Nagy scoring.

North-East Christian

Fellowship League

In the Northumberland Minor cup third round, First Division Bethshan Christian Centre travelled to Wallington who took a 4-0 lead at half time. Bethshan pulled the game back to 4-4 but Wallington, from a higher league, came through to win 7-4.

Ashington Colliers, part of the Ashington Town set up in the Albany Northern League, entertained Airport Church Newcastle. Playing up the hill, Shaun Coles hit a hard shot from an acute angle which went in off the keeper's chest at the near post. Coles wrapped up again to get his second just before half time, there were no more goals as Colliers won 2-0.

City Church Sunderland moved top of Division One with a 4-1 win at Ryton Churches. Martin Harvey and Noel Harrison each scored a pair with one from Graeme Dixon.

Stranton Saints, Hartlepool, collected their second win of the season with David Appleton's hat-trick beaing Heaton Hearts 3-0.

In the Second Division Saint Peter's Low Fell lost top spot after being held to a scoreless draw at Middlesbrough Baptists. .

For the second successive week Monkwearmouth had an emphatic win, this time over Jesmond Parish Chuech B. They led 1-0 at half time through Ben Hodgson and after the break Barry Battell scored a hat trick, Barry Ward, Steve Dix and Neil McCarten a strike each for a 7-2 win.

Heworth Christian Fellowship climbed to mid-table with a pair from Lee Wilkinson and shots from Nick Rowling and John Bramley giving them a 4-2 win over Wearside Community Church B who replied through Mark Brewster and Steven Walls.

Leading 2-1 at the break, Stakeford Methodist looked set for three points when they led 3-1 at Westgate Road Baptists who came back to 3-3. Stakeford again took the lead but in injury time Steve Taylor completed a hat-trick to level the match at 4-4, John Fowler scoring Westgate's other goal. Stakeford's scorers were Phil Baxter (2), Chris Scott and Paul Air .

There was another goal in injury time goal in the game between Bethany Christian Centre and Yarm Emmanuel who led 2-0 at half time from brothers Jamie and David McQuillian and emerged 3-2 winners. Bethany responded with goals from Ronnie Smith and Chris Frame but Dillon Umpleby snatched Yarm's deciding goal.

Wearside Community Church A had a 4-0 home win over Lanchester Chapel with Wearside's leading scorer Paul Kindon netting a hat-trick. David Marsden was credited with the other goal.

Crook and District League

After losing to White Swan the previous week, Billy Row gained revenge with a 5-2 away win when the two met in the Colin Waites Trophy. It wa 1-1 at half-time with Andy Palmer responding to Jeff Slack's 20th minute opener for Billy Row. Stephen Gill put White Swan ahead but goals from Kevin Burke and Lee Furber tilted the game in Billy Row's favour. Slack and Jason Bridgewater added further goals.

Crook sides did badly in the South Durham Bowl, conceding 23 goals in three ties and scoring none. Stanhope started well against Roddymoor and matched them for half an hour. The visitors then hit four in 15 minutes through Greg Burke, Andy Burgess, Barry Thompson and David Snow. Two late goals from Andy Stewart gave Roddymoor a 6-0 win.

Wearhead United went down 12-0 at Witton Park while Crook Wanderers lost 5-0 at home to Cockfield