Devine intervention earns Ryhope share of the spoils
Penshaw Catholic Club and Ryhope shared the points in a superb, hard fought Sunderland & District Over-40s League Premier Division encounter at Herrington Park.
Penshaw dominated the first half with some stylish swift attacking play and should have gone ahead after being awarded a penalty but Chris Moody’s poor spotkick was easily saved by the Ryhope keeper.
Penshaw didn’t have to wait long to go ahead when a great attack into the Ryhope box ended in a cutback from the excellent Damian Maw being smashed into the net from 18 yards by Simon Holland to give his side a 1-0 interval lead.
The second-half substitution of target man Kevin Devine for Ryhope changed the game with Ryhope’s long ballscreatingproblemsinthe Penshaw defence and it was from a long ball that Devine barged his way through to score with a shot in off the underside of the bar.
Penshaw started to dominate late on with both Paul Hodgson and John Spence having chances and Paul Taylor shooting narrowly wide when clean through but they could not get the winning goal.
There was a real thriller in Division Two as Hartlepool Catholic Club fought out a 4-4 draw with Peterlee Helford.
Peterlee hardly touched the ball in the opening ten minutes but went in front with a headed goal.
Their confidence soared as a result and midway through the half they doubled their lead to leave the hosts stunned.
Catholic hit straight back after a surging run by Paul Lindsay.
He fed Scotty Newbegin whose shot was deflected into the path of Stuart Hope and he slotted home.
With five minutes of the half remaining Catholic were level. Hope was tripped in the box and Newbegin calmly despatched the spot kick.
Shortly after the break Peterlee edged ahead again with a real screamer, although Catholic felt there
was a high boot in the buildup.
The home team made it 3-3 when a defender played a poor ball in the area under pressure from John Dobing and Hope pounced for his second.
It was end to end as both teams looked for a winner, and the visitors thought they’d found it when they again went in front.
But Catholic weren’t finished and it was that man Hope once again, pinching the ball to complete his hattrick and level the game. Best for Catholic were Jonny Payne, Hope and Trevor Gibson.
In the Premier Division Hartlepool Workies lost 1-0 at home to Wallsend Boys Club.
Despite dominating the play they just couldn’t score.
As early as the fifth minute James Parkinson had a low drive tipped round the post.
Later in the half Andy McKenna went close and Mick Waller was thwarted by another fingertip save. Workies’ keeper took a knock late in the half but struggled on.
Then, with about 30 seconds to the half-time whistle, a short back pass which the keeper couldn’t come for, let the visitors in to score.
The second half was like the Alamo. Parkinson, Waller and Marty Ball all went close,
and strong appeals for a penalty were waived away.
Chances late on for Parkinson and McKenna ended narrowly wide to add to a frustrating day. Waller starred, along with Parkinson, Robbie Ferguson and Brian Chambers.
Houghton Cricket travelled to Durham Bede Lodge and took the lead after 20 minutes when Darren Cartner struck with a shot into the bottom corner. Jones made it two with a free-kick just outside the box.
Second half was even until Durham pulled one goal back after a goalmouth scramble.
Micky Potter kept Houghton’s lead secure with a great point-blank save
five minutes later, then with 10 minutes left Hugh Dalglish sealed the win with a fantastic goal from 25 yards.
Father and son Michael and Michael Foster Jr both had good games with the older member of the family edging it for man of the match.
SATURDAY’S FIXTURES: Premier Div:
Ferryhill Greyhound v Ryhope Foresters
Penshaw Catholic v Hartlepool Workies
St Mary’s College v Easington Colliery CIU
South Shields v Wallsend Boys Club
Div One:
CSSC Darsley Park v Humbledon Project
Hebburn Town v Wallsend Community
Pelton Crown Inn v Milbourne Arms
Sherburn Village WMC v Stanley
Thornley Harry’s Bar v Grindon Broadway
Whitley Bay Seahorse v N/ Shields Pineapple
Div Two:
Hartlepool Jacksons v Peterlee Helford
Hartlepool Stag v Roseberry Hilda Park
Redcar Town v Peterlee Helford
Seaham Harbour Cricket v Cobblers Hall
Wearmouth CW v Hartlepool Catholic Club
Woodhorn Lane v Washington Biddick Inn
Div Three:
Billingham v Forest Hall Hartlepool Tech v Sunderland Hall Farm
Seaton Buildings v Boldon Colliery Old Barrel
Pennywell Comrades v Sunderland Mill View SC
Wingate Constitutional v Durham County
Div Four:
Catchgate v Durham Bede Lodge
Newcastle Blue Star v Sunderland Rolls Royce
Walkergate v Bedlington United Sporting
Whitburn v Sunderland The Philadelphia
Sunderland Doxy Lad v Sunderland Willow pond