SATURDAY AUGUST 9TH 2014

SEDGEFIELD NET PARK 6 V 2 MURTON AFC

In very windy conditions both teams struggled to find any rhythm. Murton took the lead after 14mins after a good move. Netpark equalised on 20mins through Alan Jones, just before the half time interval Martyn Musgrave floated a lovely free kick over everyone and into the side netting, h/t 2-1 Netpark made changes as lads had to leave for a wedding. The fresh legs made an instant impact on the game with Brian Fairhurst curling a great free kick into the corner to make it 3-1. After 60mins a cross from Fairhurst eluded everyone with Lewis White getting the last touch 4-1. Netpark began to keep the ball well and after 70mins it was game over with Jack Marley finishing well with a low drive 5-1. Then on 80mins Brian Fairhurst scored another great goal with a half volley that left the Murton keeper stranded. Murton pulled a goal back before the final whistle. Fantastic result for Netpark on their Durham Alliance League debut, f/t 6-2

WHEATLEY HILL WMC FC 0 V 3 COUNDON & LEEHOLME YOUTH FC

The game started slowly as both teams tried to find their feet against a very strong wind. Coundon pushed on and took the lead half way through the first. And taking their chances well then doubled their lead just before half time. Wheatley Hill came out stronger and a bit more organised in the second half but struggled against the wind and struggling to find the target in front of goal. Coundon then put the well fought game to bed with about 15 minutes to go with some good football and once again taking there

WALLSEND TOWN 6 V 2 EBCHESTER CONSETT RESERVES

It was a great game for the mutual spectator as Ebchester got off to a flying start within the first ten minutes with a long ball over the towns defence for Lee peacock to run onto it and slot it past town’s keeper. But then Wallsend town decided to wake up and take the game by scruff of the neck and went on attack after attack against Ebchester’s goal with their keeper pulling of several saves but it came from a lovely bit of footwork from Paul bell to get himself in the box and put it on a plate for Derek Graham to pass the ball into the back of the net for the equaliser on the 25th minute and then 5 minutes later Ryan Arnott made it 2-1 to town and with five minutes left of the first half Paul bell pops up and makes it 3-1 for Wallsend town to go into the interval leading.. The 2nd half kicks off with Wallsend town picking up where they left off with attacking football once again leading to Paul bell to score his 2nd and make it 4-1 to town. Ebchester started to attack more which Wallsend capitalised on by counter attacking football which led to Derek Graham scoring his 2nd of the match to make it 5-1. But that didn't stop Ebchester who kept on attacking and got several corners and result of one of them corners Ebchester scored to make it 5-2. So once again Wallsend town kick off again and Ebchester steal the ball straight back and come on the attack which resulted in Wallsend towns keeper pulling off a fine save and setting up a counter attack which Derek Graham received a long ball from Rikki Donaldson who then went on to set up Paul bell for his hatrick to round of a fine performance to make it 6-2.

 SHERBURN VILLAGE WMC 3 V 3 HORSLEY HILL FC

Horsley Hill started off the better team and had a couple of good chances early on. Sherburn then came into the game and had a great chance to take the lead but a header by striker Joe Simpson went just wide of the post. Horsley Hill took the lead when the Sherburn defence were caught flat footed and Horsley’s Scott Graham slotted home. Horsley’s Kevin Davison was causing Sherburn problems, and on 25mins Davison scored Horsley’s second with a great solo run through Sherburn’s defence and put the ball beyond the keeper. Straight after Sherburn’s Martin Clough was brought down in the box the resulting penalty was converted by Sherburn’s Scott Arnott. The game was end to end then Sherburn’s defence were caught again and Horsley went 3-1 up with a goal by Aaron Graham. Sherburn then piled on the pressure and on 40mins were well worth their second goal when Sherburn’s Andrew Chester got on the end of a corner to put the ball over the line. The half ended 3-2 to Horsley Hill. The second half started with Sherburn the stronger side and had chance after chance to take the lead but could not get past Horsley’s keeper James Lone. The home team then got there reward on 75min when Craig Jackson back healed a low cross from Joe Simpson into the Horsley’s net. Sherburn’s Joe Simpson was causing a tiring Horsley defence huge problems and on 84mins could have given Sherburn all three points but with the keeper well beaten his shot skimmed the post. The game ended 3-3 both teams put on a great show.

 BISHOP AUCKLAND RESERVES 2 V 5 CHESTER-LE-STREET TOWN WHITEHILL

Opening day of the Durham Alliance season did not disappoint with an entertaining game between two new boys to the league. The home side came flying out of the blocks, opening the scoring with just two minute on the clock a neat one-two between Alex Cantwell & Lewis Martin allowed the latter to fire home from an angle. The lead could have been doubled a few minutes later, as Martin missed the keeper to only see his effort go around the post too. The visitors struck back on 18 minutes with a well taken effort from an angle, before taking the lead 2 minutes later following a wicked deflection. Chances fell to both teams in the remainder of the half, with again Lewis Martin a threat. Lewis Dunn could also have equalised after being played through, but he was adjudged to have fouled the tracking defender.

The second half again sprung into life on 48 minutes. A great knock down from Martin allowed Lewis Dunn to force a powerful left footed effort into the left corner. The game continued to be tight, but a lack of concentration on 60 and 65 minutes allowed the visitors to race to a 2 goal advantage. Bishop Auckland Reserves tried to mount a comeback, but remained a little sloppy in possession. The game was rounded up on 75 minutes as Pinder was unlucky in possession at right back, with a resulting cross finding its way to the back post for an easy tap in. Lewis Rowell tried a speculative 40 yard effort that the keeper tipped over, before Louis Fitzgerald was denied by a good save, with Dunn and Cantwell unable to poke home a consolation. Chester-le-Street were overall deserved winners playing some tidy football, but the home side could feel a little aggrieved they failed to get anything from the game had they played with the possession seen pre-season.

BIRTLEY FC 3 V 0 BRANDON UNITED RESERVES

Birtley FC made their debut in the Durham Alliance football league with a 3-0 win over Brandon Utd reserves FC thanks to 3 first half goals from James Ward's brace (20' 35') and Jack Kelly (27').

 HARTLEPOOL FC RESERVES 2 V2 SHILDON RESERVES

Outstanding effort for both team with Hartlepool playing in their first ever Durham Alliance League game. Shildon visited Grayfields and let their quality show in the first 15. FC got themselves into the game but were undone by Shildon using a wind advantage to go 2-0 up before half time with goals from Jay Balfour and Stephen Clifford. In the second half it was FC who raced out of the blocks and pulled one back within 7 minutes with a quickly taken free kick to pull one back. FC squandered two more before FC striker raced through to slot past the Shildon keeper. FC's goals come from Jake Larkin and Carl O'Sullivan