SILKSWORTH COACH RUES MISSED OPPORTUNITIES
NARROW 1-0 DEFEAT AT THE HANDS OF ANNFIELD PLAIN LEAVES MICHAEL CURTIS FRUSTRATED
Silksworth CW coach Michael Curtis has admitted that he was left frustrated by his side’s 1-0 defeat at Annfield Plain.
Carlos Malpass grabbed the only goal of the game as the hosts punished Silksworth for missing a whole host of chances.
Curtis said: “It’s a disappointing result.
“We didn’t play at our best and we didn’t make the most of the opportunities we created.
“We paid the price for that when they scored a late goal.
“You have to pay credit to Annfield Plain, they were at it throughout the 90 minutes.”
League leaders Wolviston were left frustrated after they were held to a 1-1 draw at home against West Auckland Tunns.
Famara Jatta put the hosts ahead on 52 minutes, but the points were shared thanks to a penalty from Tunns midfielder Gary Proudfoot.
Gateshead Leam Rangers ended a run of five consecutive defeats as they came from behind to seal a 2-1 win at Darlington RA.
An goal from Chris Tarn put the hosts in front in the opening minutes of the game, but the visitors roared back into the game and claimed the points thanks to goals from Carl Taylor and Shaun Bell.
Darlington Town came back from a goal down to take all three points from Coxhoe Athletic.
A Dagan Taylor brace gave the hosts a 2-1 lead at the interval, but second-half goals from Brandon Roberts, Damon Miller and Myles Swift gave Town a hard-earned win and prevented Coxhoe from claiming their first win of the season.
Boldon CA continued their mini-revival with a 3-2 win at home against Windscale.
Reece Blakey, John Murray and Jonathan Basham found the net for Boldon as they made it two wins out of two in 2019.
The two sides failed to break the deadlock over 90 minutes at Grayfields, although West End were grateful for an outstanding save from goalkeeper Neal Bussey as he kept out a penalty from Hartlepool top scorer Jamie Tumilty.
The tie went to penalties and it was Hartlepool that progressed into the semi-final of the competition with a 4-3 win in the shoot-out.
Hartlepool will be joined in the last four of the competition by Hebburn Town Reserves after they narrowly preserved their unbeaten record for the season against local rivals Harton and Westoe CW.
Adam Bell put Harton side ahead on 42 minutes, but the hosts hit back just before half-time with a sublime 25-yard free-kick from Ryan Bolam.
Jordan Fenwick edged the visitors back in front midway through the second half and that seemed to be enough to see them through to the last four of the competition.
But Shaun Reay grabbed a last-gasp equaliser and sent the tie to penalties and his side went on to secure a 3-1 win in the shoot-out.
Bolam was sympathetic towards Harton and admitted that his side are struggling to cope with injuries at the moment.
He said: “A win is a win, but we are running on empty.
“Two of my three substitutes were carrying injuries and had to come on because we picked up more injuries to lads in the starting line-up.
“I have to give the lads credit for finding a way to win, but the sooner I get some players back the better.
“Harton played really well and will feel aggrieved that they haven’t held on to win the game in normal time.”