Penshaw stun Premier champs Marden again
Sunderland & District Mill View SC Over-40s League
Penshaw Catholic Club beat champions Marden for the second time in eight days to clinch a fourth-place finish in the Premier Division.
Despite fielding players who were not 100% fit, and with keeper Mark Hartley up front, Penshaw took the game to Marden in the third meeting in succession, intent on avenging their midweek loss which saw the Tynesiders crowned champions once again.
The early Penshaw pressure paid off with a 35-yard rocket shot from the excellent Scott Richards which was too hot for the Marden keeper to handle.
Shortly after, it should have been 2-0 when Hartley missed a clear headed chance from a great Hall cross.
In the second half, Marden put Penshaw’s defence under severe pressure, but, marshalled by captain John Kelly and keeper Andy Naisbett, they held firm.
Late on, in a rare Penshaw breakaway, Hall again found Hartley with a cross and this time he made no mistake with a left-foot volley in off the post. Tony Healer pulled one back wtih a fine, late header, but Penshaw held on to win 2-1 and repeat their Kip Watson Villa Real Cup final success.
Red House WMC and Hebburn Town have been relegated from the Premier Division following Wallsend Community’s surprise 2-1 midweek victory over nearneighbours Marden.
Red House lost their final match 3-1 at relegation rivals Heaton Stannington to finish on 23 points from 24 games, only ahead of bottom club Hebburn on goal difference.
Hartlepool Touchdown moved into second spot as a good, solid team effort saw them win 2-0 at Wearmouth.
They went in front after 15 minutes as Mick Waller found Andy McKenna, who squared the ball to Lee Crosby, and he fired low into the net from the edge of the box.
Wearmouth’s keeper spread himself well to make a magnificent save to keep it at 1-0, and the Sunderland side were close to an equaliser, right on half-time, when a cross-cum-shot hit the base of the post and Touchdown scrambled the ball clear.
The second half was only 10 minutes in when Touchdown scored the all-important second goal, McKenna finishing off from 10 yards after good work from Waller and Newbegin
Wearmouth rallied and were awarded a penalty. The keeper, though, produced a brilliant, low save to deny the hosts a consolation.
Seaham Marlborough escaped the First Division drop zone thanks to an impressive 6-1 win at mid-table Dormans to climb to fourth-bottom spot.
Peterlee outgunned Darsley Park 6-2 to finish eighth in Division Two. Champions Wallsend Boys Club ended 12 points clear after beating North Shields Pineapple 7-1.
Relegated Oddies were beaten 6-1 in their final Third Division match at runnersup Richmond Town, while Hedworthfield Red Hackle stayed in third-bottom spot after being held 3-3 by Rolls-Royce.
Stanley’s promotion hopes ended with a 2-0 loss at Wingate Cons, with Redcar Town moving above them on goal difference into third place after a 1-1 draw with champs Newcastle East End.