SILKSY AND WEST END REACH TROPHY SEMIS
Silksworth CW and Sunderland West End both moved into the last four of the Durham Trophy with hardearned wins on Saturday.
Silksworth came out on top in a penalty shoot-out against Hartlepool FC after the two sides had shared six goals in 90 minutes.
Hartlepool got back on level terms ahead of half time as a Jamie Tumilty penalty cancelled out Harry Munday’s opener.
A James Cook brace looked to have put Silksworth into the last four, but the visitors raced back and took the tie to penalties with goals from Ash Clarke and Patrick Mulvey.
But that was as good as it got for Hartlepool as their hosts ran out 4-3 winners in the shoot-out.
SilksworthcoachMichael Curtis admitted that relief was the overriding emotion after watch his side reach the final four of the competition for the first time.
“It could have gone either way in the 90 minutes,” explained Curtis.
“We were 3-1 up with 10 minutes to go, but our keeper has then pulled of a worldclass save and they’ve missed a great chance in injury time too.
“It was a really even game, as it always is against Hartlepool, but we nearly chucked it away at the very end.
“It’s a relief to come through such a tough tie and we look forward to taking our place in the semi-finals now.”
They will be joined in the last four by last season’s beaten finalists Sunderland West End after goals from Brian Norton, John Butler and Lee Smith helped Anthony Nelson’s side to a 3-2 win over Gateshead A.
There were four different scorers for Horden CW as they become the third Wearside League club in the semi-finals with a 4-1 home win against Boldon CA.
First-half goals from Sean Ryder and Josh Broom put them in control at half time and Robbie Renwick and David Stevens helped their side into the last four with two second-half goals.
The final club in the draw will be decided next weekend when Hebburn Town Reserves host Darlington Town.
That tie was supposed to take place yesterday, but a waterlogged pitch meant that the tie had to be rearranged for next Saturday.
Wolviston ended the weekend on top of the Wearside League table with a home win against Gateshead Leam Rangers.
Mikey McGee continued his fine season by scoring twice and Andy McGirr got the other goal as the new leaders eased to a 3-1 win at Metcalfe Park.
Cory Fenwick and Jason Pressling found the net as fourth-placed Harton and Westoe CW claimed all three points from their trip to Annfield Plain with a 2-0 win at Derwent Park.
Bottom-of-the-table Coxhoe Athletic earned only their second point of the season with a 2-2 draw at West Auckland Tunns.
Liam Blighe scored twice for the Tunns, but they had to settle for a point thanks to goals from Coxhoe duo Craig Moody and Daniel Koch.
Matthew Pilkington grabbed both goals as Windscale battled to all three points in their 2-1 home win against Darlington RA.