FORESTERS’ FIRE GIVES MARDEN CUP TESTER
RYHOPE FIGHTERS PUSH PREMIER LEADERS ALL THE WAY IN KIP WATSON VILLA REAL CUP
Ryhope Foresters made life tough for Marden before exiting the Kip Watson Villa Real Cup in a tough battle of the Premier Division’s top two teams.
Tony Healer fired Marden into a first-half lead when he drilled home a 30-yard freekick and added a second, on the hour, when he headed home Mark Scott’s cross.
Andrew Davidson reduced the deficit for Foresters with a headed goal to set up a tense final 20 minutes.
Ryhope had the chance to force extra time when they had a penalty awarded for a foul, but John Cullen missed from the spot. Ryhope finished with 10 men, after David Fishburn was sent off late on for violent conduct.
Wearmouth CW were surprisingly knocked out 2-1 by lowly visitors Consett in an all-Premier tie, while First Division Penshaw Catholic Club secured a fine 3-2 victory over Premier outfit South Shields. Red House WMC’s home clash with Blakelaw SC was abandoned.
In Division Four’s Billy Lorraine Cup, Ivy Legends lost their quarter-final 3-1 at home to Hartlepool Tech.
The visitors were ahead on five minutes and doubled their lead with a fierce 20-yard drive. Legends responded with a penalty, but Tech wrapped up victory, scoring direct from a corner.
Leaders Roseberry Grange suffered a 2-1 extratime defeat at second-top Hartlepool Vets, after deservedly going ahead.
Willow Pond produced a spirited performance to clinch a close-fought 2-1 Third Division victory over Washington JFC Biddick Inn.
Willow took the lead early on when Biddick failed to clear a corner and the ball fell to Gary Golightly, on the edge of the box. His viciously hit shot ent over everyone and flew into the net in off the underside of the bar.
The lead was shortlived, though, as the hosts lost possession and Biddick countered. Jason Jones’ long ball into the box was headed down for Mark Cane to equalise, with the home defence caught flat-footed.
The visitors looked the better side and they had a chance to take the lead, but Craig Robson fired over as Willow keeper John Davis, playing with a broken finger, dived at his feet.
Willow pulled themselves together and pinned Biddick back, with David Kelly starring. But Biddick broke and almost went ahead, when a long ball from Jones saw keeper Davis and defender Darren Smith collide, but Mo Makin’s lob was hooked off the line by Brian Adamson.
Willow responded and Ronald Bulmer was unlucky to see his 25-yard piledriver come back off the bar, with Biddick keeper Stephen Halliday well beaten. The rebound fell to Kit Tipling, but his header was easily saved.
James Briant then hit the bar, after tricky wing play from Golightly, then Biddick countered to shoot ovet, when a goal looked certain.
The game looked a stalemate, but Willow won it in the dying minutes when a corner curled straight in from Dean Cassidy, with Biddick’s defence and keeper unable to stop it.
Houghton Cricket Club slipped to third-bottom spot after a 7-1 defeat at Stanley, while Hedworthfield Red Hackle climbed above the cricketers thanks to a 2-1 victory over bottom club Shildon Grey Horse.
Trimdon Vets moved off the foot of Division Four with a 3-1 success away to Colonel Prior, moving up to thirdbottom, albeit having now completed their programme.
Trimdon are above Prior on goal difference and two points clear of bottom club Oddfellows Arms, but their rivals have three and five games left respectively.
Washington Victoria Inn rose to fifth place in the Premier Division, thanks to a 2-1 win at lowly Hebburn Town.
Washington led after 20 minutes when Lee Miles was put through by man of the match Andy Lumsden to slot home. Second-bottom Hebburn’s long balls to their front line had success five minutes later, when Tony Tatum ran through to level.
The second half saw Victoria dominate and they got their winner from the spot after Lumsden was brought down by the keeper. Skipper Chris Holtan hit the perfect penalty into the top corner.
Division One leaders Hylton CW were held to a 2-2 draw by Seaham Marlborough, but they still look good to be crowned champions.
Second-top Easington CIU, who have played two games more than Hylton, closed the gap to four points after beating Whitley Bay Seahorse 3-1.
Grindon Broadway were given a walkover against Thornley Celtic.
Cobblers Hall moved three points above fourthtop Mill View SC in Division Two thanks to a 3-1 victory.
Clinton Thompson latched on to a Anthony Hodgson flick-on to round the keeper to put Mill 1-0 up.
Mill grew in confidence and went looking for a second goal, however they were caught on the break when a lack of concentration let in a forward to finish smartly at the near post to level.
The second half started with Mill on top and it took a fine save to stop Thompson from restoring their lead.
The game looked to be petering out to a draw until five minutes from time, when a Mill defender fell on the ball in the penalty area and inexplicably picked the ball up, giving the referee no option but to point to the spot. The penalty was duly despatched and Cobblers sealed the win with the last kick of the game.
Horden Sportsmans were held 2-2 by John Hogg Funerals, and are now just one point above the bottom three.