SATURDAY FEBRUARY 21ST 2015

SHERBURN VILLAGE WMC FC 1 V 1 HARTLEPOOL TOWN RESERVES

2mins into the game Hartlepool’s Ross Kidson was brought down in the box by Sherburn’s Scott Arnott penalty given. It was converted by no9 Carl O'Sullivan 1-0 Hartlepool. Hartlepool took the game to Sherburn and was on top for the first 25mins. Sherburn started to settle and on 33 a ball from Joe Simpson to Gaz Dodds put Danny Rooney through to slam home from 7yds to make it 1-1. The next chance fell to Sherburn on 40mins when a free kick from Joe Simpson found Scott Arnotts whose header was tipped over the bar by the keeper. The resulting corner was swung in and cleared off the line. Hartlepool then broke away and a great strike by Jake Larkin skimmed the post .1-1 ht. Second half started with Hartlepool the brighter team with smart flowing football. Sherburn slow to start had a great chance to take the lead with a great strike from Joe Simpson that flew just wide. Hartlepool replied on 62 with a chance landing to no 8 Russ Kidman whose 18yd strike skimmed the post .the game flowed end to end with chances landing to both sides. The game ended 1-1 which was a fair result.

COUNDON & LEEHOLME YOUTH FC 3 V 0 WALLSEND TOWN

The game kicked off with Wallsend quickly putting Coundon under pressure and missed an early header. Coundon quickly responded and Neil Jackson scored after 9 minutes. Half time came with Coundon having a 1-0 lead but having missed several very good chances. The second half kicked off with Wallsend putting Coundon under pressure and Coundon maybe rueing the chances they had not taken. Coundon made substitutions bring on Darren Simpson to score with his second touch of the ball. Daniel Kent scored on 80 minutes giving Coundon a 3-0 victory.

SHILDON RESERVES 2 V 0 BISHOP AUCKLAND RESERVES

Shildon ran out winners 2 0 in a good game at the Bobby Robson centre. In a tight first half the home team were always on top but bishop looked dangerous on the break and it was a surprise that it was goalless at the break. After the break bishop had the wind behind them and had spells of pressure on the Shildon goal without creating any clear cut chances. The home team then stepped up a gear and a glancing header from jay Balfour put Shildon in front. The home defence were in a mean mood and Huntley, mountain, Thompson and mom Hayes kept things tight throughout. A fine goal from Michael Nichol sealed the 3 points for Shildon following a good move involving Carr, Kerry and the goal scorer. Overall a good game from 2 good teams, Bishop Auckland has been a welcome addition to the league and deserves their current league position.

HORSLEY HILL FC 6 V 1 BRANDON UNITED RESERVES

Horsley Hill FC climbed to the top of the league with an emphatic 6 - 1 win over a very plucky Brandon team. The game was won in the first half with hat tricks from a very good Phil Gray and MoM Adam Sharp. Brandon made a game of it in the second half with a bullet header from star man Jay Smith

BIRTLEY FC 1 V 5 MURTON AFC

On a bright but cold Saturday afternoon Birtley FC came up against Murton AFC in the League which is one of two fixtures over the next couple of weeks as both teams have been drawn against each other in a repeat tie in the Mark Blake Memorial Trophy next Saturday. The game started brightly by both teams but Birtley FC took the lead on 7' with a long range shot from Jack Kelly from 40 yds but Murton AFC scored a sweet equalizer on the volley by their No.15 on the 18'. Both sides went on to create chances but Birtley FC was denied what looked to be a blatant penalty just before half time and the first half ended 1-1. Second half Murton AFC started the brighter team from the off and took the lead after 48', and then scored again on the 58' to make it 1-3 to Murton AFC. Murton AFC made it 1-4 on the 64'. Birtley FC then went down to 10 men due to injuries and lack of substitutes but the match was already decided and although Birtley FC battled with the players they had on the pitch Murton AFC added a fifth goal on the 70'. The last 20 minutes was all Murton AFC and the 10 Birtley FC players left on the pitch battled their hearts out. Murton AFC truly deserved the victory. MOTM Birtley FC Michael Sanderson (GK) and Murton AFC MOTM No.15 (TM) but their captain was a close second.

WASHINGTON AGED PEOPLES TROPHY ROUND 2

CHESTER-LE-STREET WHITEHILL 7 V 0 EBCHESTER CONSETT RESERVES
Whitehill progressed to the next round of the Washington Aged Peoples Trophy with a comfortable win over Ebchester Con Res, after a slow start to the game Whitehill went 1-0 on 17 mins after good work from Dan Addison and David Henderson who set up Craig Mickle to score. Three mins later Whitehill were lucky when they doubled their lead when Chris Travena sent in a cross that went over the keepers head and dropped just inside the far post for 2-0. Whitehill were on top now and on 28 mins a quick throw from Scott Hope led to Craig Mickle going on to score his second of the game and 3-0. Whitehill missed chance after chance but on 44 mins Jack Taylor was on hand in the Whitehill goal to save well to keep his goal intact and a minute later Michael Graver scored from 18 yards for a half time score of 4-0. The second half started the same as the first but it was Matty Smith who made it 5-0 on 67 mins. Scott Hope rifled in from the edge of the box on 81 mins for 6-0. And the seventh goal was scored following good build up play from Matty Smith and Stephen Wood and Mark Peck made no mistake for a final score line of 7-0 and put Whitehill through to the next round and a visit to Bishop Auckland in the Quarter Final.