HODGSON SPOT ON TO BOOST PLAINSY’S RUN
MIXED FORTUNES FOR PLAINS FARM ALLDEC, BUT MIDWEEK VICTORY BOOSTS SAFETY BID
Plains Farm Alldec had mixed fortunes in Division Two, but they have enhanced their chances of beating the drop.
Plainsy suffered their first defeat in weeks, going down 5-1 to impressive Redcar Town, but recovered to beat Dubmire 2-0 in midweek.
Against Redcar, Alldec started well and led at the break, hitting the bar with a second effort.
But Redcar were by far the better team after the break and they capitalised on some poor defending to run out big 5-1 winners.
Plains Farm, though, got back to winning ways on Wednesday, with Purvis star man.
Davy “Keano” Mullen made the breakthrough with a neat finish against Dubmire. After the visitors exerted some pressure, Plainsy sealed victory with a penalty for handball, with Karl Hodgson sending the keeper the wrong way from the spot.
Derek Callaghan was praised for his refereeing display.
Mill View suffered two defeats, going down 2-0 at home to promotion-chasing Darsley Park and 3-1 to Peterlee Helford United.
That dropped them to bottom spot, with Helford, who also crushed Woodhorn Lane 5-0, up a place.
Redcar Old Boys climbed above Houghton Cricket in the hectic survival fight in the Third Division.
The Teessiders took the lead after poor defending from Houghton, but Michael Forster equalised just before half-time.
Houghton came out brighter in the second half and star man Forster got his second to put the visitors 2-1 up. But Redcar came more into the game and scored three goals in 20 minutes to settle it.
While Hartlepool Vets are relegated on six points, the next six teams are separated by just three points in an epic battle to beat the drop.
Willow Pond remain in trouble after a 3-0 loss to third-top Ivy Legends, while Wingate Cons boosted their push for safety by crushing Hartlepool Vets 6-0.
Penshaw Catholic Club picked up four points from two Premier Division games to stay in fourth place.
First, they were held to a 1-1 draw at mid-table Darlington Shuttle & Loom, then Penshaw secured a fine 2-0 derby victory over Washington Victoria Inn in midweek.
Victoria had gone into the game on the back of a 3-1 success at relegationthreatened Hylton CW.
Ryhope Foresters, given a walkover for their home clash with bottom club Hartlepool Raby Arms, climbed into fifth place thanks to Wednesday’s 2-0 derby triumph against Wearmouth CW.
Bottom club The Doxy Lad fought gamely before going down 4-1 to leaders Hartlepool Jacksons Arms in the Fourth Division.
Lad stunned their visitors by levelling at 1-1, right on half-time, but Jacksons dominated the second half to run out convincing winners.
Boldon Colliery Tavern lost 5-2 at home to Sedgefield to stay in fourth-bottom spot.
In the Fourth Division’s Billy Lorraine Cup, Pennywell Comrades saw their cup dreams dashed by a 3-2 defeat to Durham County.
Wearmouth CW Old Boys, though, recorded an excellent 4-2 success at third-top Hedworthfield Red Hackle and Gateshead Redheugh impressively beat second-played Forest Hall 2-0.
Third-placed Seaham Marlborough endured a crushing 8-1 defeat at home to Sherburn Village in one of the results of the season in Division One.
Pelton Crown lost 2-1 to Consett, before picking up a 2-2 draw against Ferryhill Greyhound.