Southside and South Hetton enjoy slender leads in semis

Easington Southside and South Hetton Cricket Club take 1-0 leads into the second leg of their Chilla Pizza Peterlee & District Sunday League First Division League Cup semi-finals.

A Michael Taylor strike proved decisive as Southside beat Peterlee Hearts, while Brandon Cook’s goal saw the Cricketers take advantage against Shotton Comrades.

In the Second Division semi-final first-legs, Easington Victory beat Thornley Harry’s Bar 5-3 thanks to a hattrick from Stephen Fletcher along with efforts from Kieran Blackmore and Sean McAndrew, with Tyler Curry, Ryan Lamb and Neil Whitworth replying for Harry’s, for whom Whitworth was sent off.

And in the other semi, goals from Graeme Ashcroft, Dave Usher and Philip Robinson gave Peterlee Acre Rigg Celtic a narrow 3-2 win over Sherburn United with Tom Clark and Andrew Elliott in reply.

In the Premier Division semi-finals, Horden DLI won 6-3 against Easington CIU with two goals apiece from Stuart Softley and leading scorer Robert Renwick, Martin Fowler and Sean Guthrie completing the scoring while Simon Todd, Daniel Sanders and Liam Cooke replied for the CIU.

The other tie is evenly poised after Murton Colliery held Dawdon Welfare Park to a 1-1 draw, Paul Henderson on target for the Colliery and Paul Atkinson for Welfare Park.

In the Premier Division, Easington Colliery Club Mechanics beat Peterlee Helford 3-2 with a brace from Thomas Bott and an effort from Quinn Garside, Rhys and Luke Turnbull netting for Helford.

In Division One, Easington Leather Cap maintained their promotion hopes defeating Wingate Grange 6-4 with a hat-trick from Graham Hornsby plus efforts from Jay Jobson and substitutes Michael Hird and Callum English.

Michael Lee’s brace and strikes from Thomas Bell and Jamie Lee gave the Grange forlorn hope.

Horden Cricket Club and Seaham the Knack finished all-square at 2-2 with Shaun Bentley and James Lowery on target for the Cricket Club and Darren Ruddock and Michael Williams replying for the Knack.

Only one match took place in the Second Division and that saw leaders Wingate Howden pick up another three points in a 2-0 win over New Seaham Westlea, with goals from Daniel Unsworth and Tom Young.

With half of this season just about complete, the League is on the look out for new clubs to join next season.

Any interested should contact League Secretary Paul Charnock on 07539547187, or email him at paulcharnock@yahoo.co.uk, where he will gladly be available to give more advice on any club unsure of the next step in the process of joining.