Divisional Cups weekend sees teams make progress
Last weekend in the Sunderland and District Over40s Football League, the Divisional Cups took centre stage with some interesting results.
Washington EMS suffered a big 5-1 home defeat to Wallsend BC in the Robson Pattison Cup.
For the first 30 minutes this game was even, but then a Wallsend striker hit a tremendous first-half hattrick to put the game out of reach of Washington.
Wallsend then started the second half strongly and went 4-0 up when Martin Dixon fired home.
Washington were now trying to score at every opportunity and pulled a goal back with a penalty which Gary McCartney put away.
Wallsend then caught Washington on the break to finish the game 5-1 with a goal from Tony Browell.
Middlesbrough progressed to the quarter final of the Robson Pattison Cup with a comfortable 5-1 home win against an understrength Penshaw Catholic Club.
Penshaw were still in the game despite being 1-0 down at half time, but three injuries in the second half and limited substitutes available meant they finished the game with 10 men including an injured keeper.
Jeff Smith starred for Boro and John Abbott for Penshaw, while Diego Mino got Penshaw’s consolation goal.
Houghton Cricket eased into the next round of the Billy Lorraine cup with a comfortable victory over Willow Pond.
Paul Bridge gave Cricket an early lead from a Neil Worley cross.
Steven Belshaw and Alan Jones combined to set up Michael Forster Jnr, but he blazed over from close range.
Pond defended deep and Stuart Hope was on hand to clear a Forster shot off the line.
Pond counter attacked, but couldn't find a cutting edge with Martin Lee play
ing a lone role up front.
Houghton’s Allan Russell put a tireless display in midfield and the home side had a lot of possession and fired in shots from distance.
Worley should have doubled their lead before the break, but fired over an open goal.
The second half saw Pond go 4-4-2 and they looked more of a threat going forward, but fell behind again after Jones set up Bridge, who hammered the ball home past Pond keeper Tilbury.
Pond should have pulled a goal back, but keeper Mark Hartley saved at the near post from Lee, who opted to shoot when Hope was free at the back post looking good for a tap in.
Bridge then completed his hat-trick, another assist from Worley allowed him to turn his marker to beat Tilbury from inside the box.
The win sent Houghton through to the quarter finals to meet Wear United.
Seaton Carew carried their recent good league form into the knockout competition, beating Wingate 4-2 on home turf in the Echo Cup.
Hartlepool FC Blues travelled to Pelton Crown in the Robson Pattison Cup.
The game finished 2-2,
but FC lost the penalty shoot-out 4-2.
Missed chances and defensive lapses cost them dearly, and they failed to capitalise on Pelton having a player sent off just before half-time.
Lee Stephenson went full length to prevent the hosts taking an early lead, whilst Paul Murphy and Alan Hoey went close at the other end.
Half an hour into the game, a terrible mix-up at the back left an easy chance for Pelton and they took a 1-0 lead into the break.
FC were well on top, but got caught out pushing forward and trailed 2-0.
They hit straight back when Andy McKenna scored and soon levelled the tie in
the closing minutes.
Ste Hodgson and Dave Watson combined, and when the cross came in, Hoey was on hand to score from close range.
Then came the penalty shoot-out and a disappointing day for the visitors.
FIXTURES: Robson Pattison Cup: Ferryhill Greyhound v Marden.
Premier Div: Consett v Wallsend Boys Club, Hartlepool FC Blues v Ryhope Foresters, Hebburn Town v Killingworth YPC, Seaham Harbour Cricket v Blyth Masons Arms, Sherburn Village WMC v Middlesbrough SC, The Milbourne Arms v Penshaw Catholic Club, Washington EMS v Pelton Crown
Inn.
Div One: Easington Colliery v Woodhorn Lane, Redcar Town v South Shields, Roseberry Hilda Park v Boldon Colliery Old Barrel, Seaton Buildings v Newcastle East End, Sedgefield v Dubmire SC, Stanley v N/ Shields Pineapple, Grindon Broadway v Hartlepool Jacksons, Times Inn v CSSC Darsley Park.
Div Two: Durham County v Newcastle Blue Star, Hartlepool Tech v Hartlepool Cricket Club, N/Aycliffe Cobblers Hall v Richmond Town, Peterlee Telford v Washington JFC, Hall Farm v Billingham Vets, Walkergate v Whitburn, Willington Quay Saints v Humbledon Plains Farm.
Div Three: Darlington DSRM v Shildon AFC, Heighington Bay Horse v Catchgate, Seaton Carew v West Moor, Mill View v S/Shields Catholic Club, Pennywell Comrades v Hartlepool Raby Arms, Trimdon Vets v Durham Bede Lodge, Wingate Cons v Bedlington United.
Div Four: Hartlepool Vets v S/Shields Buzzers, N/ Shields 3 Sails v Billingham the Lion, Redcar Newmarket v Houghton Cricket, Ivy Legends v Willow Pond, The Cambridge v Rolls Royce, The Philadelphia v Oak Tree Farm.