Cracking form by Seaham to usher in the new year
The New Year started with a bang when Seaham hosted Woodhorn Lane in the opening games of the Sunderland and District Over40s League.
It was the hosts who started the stronger, taking the lead after five minutes as Turner scored from 20 yards.
Seaham doubled their lead after 15 minutes, with forward Turner scoring again.
Centre-half Milner then got in the act, scoring two quality quick-fire goals to make it 4-0.
And, just before half time, Holt added the fifth goal.
The sixth goal was soon to arrive after the restart, with Turner completing his hat-trick.
It was all Seaham now and only the heroics from the away ‘keeper prevented further goals, with both McCabe and Milner being denied.
With 60 minutes on the clock, Turner scored his fourth, and his 40th of a remarkable season.
Upperton then got in on the act, scuffing the ball in from six yards.
The final goal of the game soon followed, with Turner netting his fifth of the game and Seaham’s ninth.
There was a Hartlepool derby in Division Two, with Tech hosting Raby Arms, and honours were even in a 2-2 draw.
Hartlepool Cricket Club lost at home for the first time this season, going down 4-2 to Seaham side Seaton Buildings.
They made a great start to the game and were 2-0 ahead after 15 minutes.
Chris Tierney had already shot narrowly wide when he decided to try his luck from 30 yards and his shot flew in.
Then Scott Newbegin latched on to a forward ball and went round the ‘keeper.
There were two covering defenders but he beat them both and slotted the ball into an empty net.
Seaton started to get on
top as the half wore on and got a goal back before the break.
They took their form into the second half and two goals in the opening 15 minutes put them in front.
Cricket huffed and puffed after that as they tried to rescue something from the game but they just came up short and a fourth goal for Seaton in the last minute gave the scoreline a flattering look.
In the only Premier League game to survive the weather, Penshaw Catholic and Hartlepool FC Reds players, both sets of club officials and referee Ashley Cooper deserved great credit for their commitment – not only to making sure the game went ahead but to provide a good-quality 0-0 draw in very heavy conditions, well appreciated by a decent crowd at Herrington Park.
Both teams had good chances to win the game, notably Michael Graver and Luke Charlesworth for the home team.
Apart from the first 15 minutes, when Hartlepool were dangerous, Penshaw dominated most of the play and, on balance, probably deserved to win it.
However, in the conditions, no one could deny the
point that Hartlepool took home with them.
This was a game featuring two strong teams, both in defence and midfield.
Very few chances were created and neither keeper was really called into action.
Rolls Royce competed well in the first half against a team from the division above in their first cup game of the season.
Shildon finally won 7-3, using their height advantage during the game scoring four of their goals with headers from set pieces.
The first half finished 3-3, with both teams going for it. But Shildon eventually showed their class, scoring four second-half goals.
Rolls Royce’s scorers were Usher, Steel and Illingworth, whereas Shildon’s goal tally came from Dawson, who managed to bag four goals, with the remaining goals coming from Douglas, Rathbone and Stephenson.
Fixtures for Saturday, January 15:
Premier Division:
Blyth Masons Arms v Ferryhill Greyhound, Easington Colliery CIU v Middlesbrough SC, Hartlepool FC Blues v Hebburn, Marden v Penshaw Catholic Club, Sherburn Village WMC v Killingworth YPC, South Shields v The Times Inn, Ryhope Foresters v Wallsend BC, Washington EMS v Pelton
Crown Inn.
Division One: CSSC Darsley Park v Woodhorn Lane, Roseberry Hilda Park v Hartlepool Jacksons, Seaham Harbour Cricket Club v Consett, Sedgefield v N/ Shields Pineapple, Stanley v. Redcar Town, Grindon Broadway v Dubmire, The Milbourne Arms v Wearmouth CW Old Boys.
Division Two: Durham County v Washington Biddick Inn, N/Aycliffe Cobblers Hall v Peterlee Helford, Richmond Town v Hartlepool Tech, Seaton Buildings v Hall Farm, S/Shields Catholic Club v Newcastle East End, Mill View SC v Boldon Colliery Old Barrel.
Division Three: Durham Bede Lodge v Bedlington Sporting FC, Heighington Bay Horse v Wingate Cons, Newcastle Blue Star v Walkergate, Shildon AFC v Pennywell Comrades, Ivy Legends v Whitburn FC, Trimdon Veterans v Hedworthfield Red Hackle.
Division Four: Billingham The Lion v The Philadelphia, Catchgate v Seaton Carew, Houghton Cricket Club v The Doxy Lad, Houghton the Burn v Willow Pond, Redcar Newmarket v Darlington Railway Athletic, Rolls Royce v West Moor, Royal Navy v Hartlepool Vets.