Penshaw CC force a draw against title hopefuls Boro
Penshaw Catholic Club hosted a star-studded Middlesbrough team which is currently going head-to-head with Ferryhill to win the Sunderland & District Over-40s League Premier League title.
In the first half, the home side was not fazed by the quality of the opposition, defending strongly and hitting Boro on the break. It was from one of these breaks that John Spence worked himself into a great position in the box, only to pull his shot narrowly wide.
However, minutes before half time, the Penshaw defence lost concentration for the only time in the half and one of the away teams stars, ex-Boro professional Andy Campbell, crossed for a simple nod in by his centre forward. The second half followed a similar pattern but the excellent Paul Donnelly, for the home side, started to make solo runs, putting the Boro defence under pressure. From one of these, he worked his way into the box, one on one with the keeper, only to be cynically hauled down from behind by ex-Tow Law player Jeff Smith, who was sent off.
A penalty was awarded and Chris Moody converted with aplomb to draw his side level. Boro, down to 10 men, found themselves under pressure, with Penshaw almost getting a winner on numerous occasions. In a frantic last two minutes, Boro had chances to win it but Penshaw, marshalled by Archie Archbold, held out for a terrific share of the points. Washington EMS continued their losing streak with a 4-2 defeat against Sherburn Village WMC. Washington got off to a great start when Phil Sowerby cut out a pass and ran from the halfway line to slot home. They then went 2-0 up when Paul Kindon headed a corner home.
The game changed af
ter that and Sherburn took control, missing a number of chances before scoring with a fluke goal. Sherburn took a short corner to Neil Waters, who crossed, but it floated into the top corner to make it 2-1 at half time. Sherburn continued to dominate in the second half and it wasn't long before Tony Hanson picked up a mistake in midfield to level the scores. Sherburn then went ahead with a hotly disputed goal by Gavin Mudd. Washington again paid for a mistake in defence and gave away a penalty, which Paul Eilles neatly tucked away to make it 2-4. Hartlepool Veterans entertained Rolls Royce, who started slowly and were 2-0 down in the first 15 minutes. They got themselves in gear after half an hour with Kevin Illingworth netting a brace to level the scores. Garry Johnson then put Rolls-Royce 3-2 up just before half time. Hartlepool equalised against the run of play but Rolls weren’t to be denied the full three points when Johnson got his second goal, with a couple of minutes to go, for a final score of 4-3.
In the game between Redcar Town and Grindon, both goalkeepers had very little to do in the first half – the reason being both defences were strong. In the second half, Grindon seemed to be having a better start than Redcar. They had two really good chances to take the lead but the opportunities were missed.
As the game went on, Grindon were getting stronger and eventually scored when Scott Prout fired in a shot from 10 yards. Grindon dominated the second half but couldn't get a second goal.
Hartlepool FC Blues entertained struggling Blyth Mason Arms in the Premier League at Grayfields
and ran out worthy 3-1 winners. In Division Two, Hartlepool Cricket Club traveled to Newton Aycliffe Cobblers Hall, looking to build on last week’s great win, and did just that with a 2-1 victory. Fixtures for December 18: Premier Division: Blyth Masons Arms v The Times Inn, Easington Colliery CIU v Ferryhill Greyhound, Killingworth v Hartlepool FC Blues, Marden v Pelton Crown Inn, Sherburn Village WMC v Hebburn Town, Ryhope Foresters v Penshaw Catholic Club, Wallsend BC v Middlesbrough SC, Washington EMS v South Shields. Division One: CSSC Darsley Park v Seaham Harbour
Cricket, Consett v Sedgefield, Stanley v Roseberry Hilda Park, Grindon Broadway v N/Shields Pineapple, Humbledon Plains Farm v Woodhorn Lane, The Milbourne Arms v Hartlepool Jacksons, Wearmouth Colliery Old Boys v Dubmire, Wallsend Community v Redcar Town. Division Two: Cobblers Hall v Newcastle East End, Durham County v Seaton Buildings, Hartlepool Raby v Boldon Colliery Old Barrel, Richmond Town v Hartlepool Cricket Club, Hall Farm v Mill View SC, Washington Biddick Inn v S/Shields Catholic Club. Division Three: Hedworthfield Red Hackle v Billingham Vets, Heighington Bay Horse v Durham Bede Lodge, Newcastle Blue Star v Bedlington United Sporting, Pennywell Comrades v Walkergate, Whitburn v Shildon AFC, Wingate Constitutional v Ivy Legends. Division Four: Billingham The Lion v West Moor, Catchgate Rolls Royce, Darlington Railway Athletic v Willow Pond, Houghton Cricket v Redcar Newmarket, Houghton The Burn v Hartlepool Vets, Royal Navy v Seaton Carew, Sunderland The Doxy Lad v The Philadelphia.