Wilso and Baker steer the Doxy Lad to home victory
The Doxy Lad claimed a 2-0 home win against Willow Pond in the Sunderland & District Over-40s League fourth division.
The Doxy Lad had an early shot by their midfield dynamo Michael Jones parried by Willow keeper Andy Tilbury. Pond countered well on both flanks and Pond winger Andy Tones had a shot go over from inside the box.
Pond had a corner headed clear by Jones from The Doxy Lad, which produced a quick attack by David Mann, who outpaced the last defender to square the ball to Andy Wilson who slotted the ball home past Tilbury to take the lead.
From the restart Pond attacked and David Laws set up Tones in the box, but he couldn't keep his shot down.
Pond earned a free-kick outside the box after a foul by Jones, Pond midfielder Gary Barker, floated the ball to the far post for David Hoey to beat the Doxy defence to shoot from a tight angle which was blocked by keeper Dean Broadbent who then saved again from a Kevin Churchill header.
The home side piled on the pressure and had numerous corners which Pond defended stoutly.
From a corner, the home side doubled their lead. A low ball into the six-yard area was skilfully back heeled to Ron Baker who hit home from close range.
Pond battled away and Broadbent made some fine saves, the first from a Churchill strike and then from a Brown 30-yard piledriver.
A Pond free-kick outside the box by Laws was flicked on by Churchill to Pond striker Ralph Dodd but again Broadbent was on hand to thwart the away side.
Pond substitute Anthony Lewis latched onto a long ball from Churchill but his shot wasn't strong enough and Broadbent then saved at his feet.
A final flurry by Pond wasn't enough and the home side victory was made all the sweeter with a clean sheet.
Hartlepool Workies lost
2-1 at second-placed Penshaw Catholic in their Premier Division clash.
The opening quarter of the game was even but the hosts went ahead on 25 minutes from the penalty spot Chris Moody stepped up and made up for missing his last spot-kick by clinically placing the ball in the left corner of the net.
Workies were almost level right on half-time. Neil Farwell latched on to Jon Kegans’ ball over the top but his effort went inches wide.
Midway through the second half Penshaw doubled their lead, Workies failed to clear a corner and the ball was headed down and in.
Ten minutes later though, Workies were right back in the game, a lovely cross from John Bunn deceived the home defence and Gary James blasted home from 10 yards.
Both teams were fielding stand-in keeper and Marty Ball pulled off a great save to keep Workies hopes alive, but Penshaw’s stopper was also in good form, and kept out late efforts from Andy McKenna and Alan Hoey.
Paul Hodgson was Man of the Match for Penshaw and Steve Kennedy was star man for Workies
In Division Two, Hartlepool Catholic Club took a scratch side up to Wearmouth
and lost the game 3-0 to three first-half goals.
Catholic dug in after the break to ensure no further damage was done to the scoreline, but the list of walking wounded increased. Stuey Hope was best for Catholic.
The League are very saddened to hear of the recent death of Tim Hogan, well known in local football circles and a great club player of Blackhall over 40s.
Tim passed away after a year long battle with Bowel Cancer and at the young age of 61 years.
Tim carried on playing for Blackall and his brother Gerry even after working away in Wigan.
The service will be held at Blackhall Catholic Church at 1.00pm on Wednesday 5th May.
The League pass on their condolences to Gerry and the other members of Tim's family.
FIXTURES: 1st May Premier Div:
Ferryhill Greyhound v Middlesbrough
Hartlepool Workies v South Shields
Penshaw Catholic v St Mary’s College
Wallsend Boys Club v Ryhope Foresters
Div One:
CSSC Darsley Park v Whitley Bay Seahorse
Hebburn Town v Grindon Broadway
Pelton Crown v N/Shields Pineapple
Sherburn Village v Thornley Harrys Bar
Plains Farm Project v Milbourne Arms
Wallsend Community v Consett
Div Two:
Hartlepool Catholic Cub v Cobblers Hall
Richmond Town v Seaham Harbour Cricket
Roseberry Hilda Park v Hartlepool Stag & Monkey Sedgefield v Redcar Town Washington Biddick Inn v Wearmouth CW
Woodhorn Lane v Hartlepool Jacksons
Div Three:
Durham County v Boldon CW Old Barrel
Seaton Buildings v Billingham Town
Sunderland Hall Farm v Sunderland Mill View
Sunderland Ivy Legends v Wingate Constitutional
Sunderland Pennywell Comrades v Heighington Bay Horse
Div Four:
Catchgate v Newcastle Blue Star
Houghton Cricket Club v Trimdon Vets
Houghton Burn v Bedlington United Sporting
Shildon AFC v Walkergate Sunderland Rolls Royce v The Doxy Lad
The Philadelphia v Sunderland Willow Pond