CESTRIANS END LONG WAIT FOR CUP GLORY
Chester-le-Street secured their first cup success since joining the Northern League in the 1980s on Saturday.
The Cestrians lifted the Second Division’s Ernest Armstrong Memorial Cup, following a 2-0 final victory over Ryton & Crawcrook Albion at neutral Consett.
There were half-chances at either end, but Colin Wake’s Chester side forged ahead on 23 minutes, when they counter-attacked well and the move ended with Andrew Clarkson heading home past goalkeeper Darren Houghton.
The game ebbed and flowed, before, on 57 minutes, Ryton were awarded a penalty when Mason Stephenson was brought down by Connor Lyon in the box and the referee immediately pointed to the spot.
However, goalkeeper Jack Wilson comfortably saved Callum Turnbull’s spotkick, diving low to his right, to keep Chester ahead.
The Cestrians defended well to maintain their clean sheet, and they breathed a huge sigh of relief in the third minute of stoppage time when Dan McGuire raced through and slotted the ball into the bottom corner of the net to clinch a 2-0 success.
Dunston UTS were beaten by Consett in last month’s Durham Challenge Cup final.
But they ensured glory of their own by edging a 1-0 win over Bishop Auckland in the Brooks Mileson League Cup Final at Consett.
After a goalless first half, and a game of very few clearcut chances, it took until the 77th minute for the deadlock to be broken, when Dale Burrell fired in from a tight angle past goalkeeper Gareth Young.
Two minutes later, the Tynesiders were awarded a penalty, but goalkeeper Young saved well from Mark Fitzpatrick’s spot-kick.
Bishops, though, could not force an equaliser in the remaining time, allowing Dunston to celebrate.