JOHNSON HITS HAT-TRICK, BUT DERBY ENDS IN DRAW
SWINBURNE MADDISON SOLICITORS DURHAM SUNDAY LEAGUE
In a game where both teams needed the points, the Division One derby between Chester-le-Street Hilda Park and Chester-le-Street Garden Farm RAR ended all square at 3-3.
The Farm struck first against the run of play from a low Ryan Johnson free-kick which deceived the Hilda defence.
Just before the break, Hilda equalised with a Jamie Gordon penalty.
Chris Days beat the offside trap to give Hilda a 2-1 lead, but despite pressure for a third goal the Farm broke through and Johnson equalised at 2-2.
Man-of-the-match Damon Ellis then broke through the Farm defence to restore Hilda’s lead.
With five minutes left, a mistake from the Hilda defenc allowed Johnson to coplete his hat-trick and earn a share of the spoils.
Brandon Sports Club clinched promotion back to the Premier Division at the first time of asking with a comprehensive victory over Langley Park.
They were 3-0 up at half time in driving rain and ran away with the game after thew break to finish as 7-1 winners.
Goals came from Haslam (2), Williamson (2), Sowerby, Halliday and Thomas.
Bussey scored the consolation goal.
New Brancepeth WMC and Chester-le-Street Whitehills drew 2-2.
Andrew Nicholson scored twice for New Brancepeth, but they then let in Whitehills for two goals after mistakes.
Whitehills pushed for the winner but, in keeping with the theme of the game, couldn’t take any chances that they created.
Ouston Juniors went down 6-2 at home to Dubmire WMC.
Ouston wwere 3-0 down after 30 minutes and then conceded another two in the second half to trail 5-0.
A better spell saw Kieran McPherson score with a backheel effort and Matty McAdam lash home a penalty, but Dubmire notched again to complete the scoring.
In Division Two, Grange Villa had goals from Doguie, Armin and Smith in a 3-1 win at Framwellgate Moor WMC.
Newton Aycliffe Navy Club won 4-1 against Bede Lodge Social Club and now need five more wins to lift their second league title in a row.
Navy took the lead just before half time and got another two by the hour mark.
Bede Lodge got a goal back but Navy Club put the game to bed with another just after 80 minutes.
Sherburn Village WMC romped to an 11-0 win asgainst Sedgefield Corner House.
Belmont dominated from start to finish as they beat Lambton Lions 4-0.
Young Matthew Slee, in his second full game, ran the Lambton defence ragged.
He scored one goal, with Berezankij, Brown and Nunney also on target.
Ushaw Moor Cricket Club were 3-1 winners at Lumley Snooker Club.
In Division Three, Houghton Chilton Lodge were 3-1 winners against Witton Gilbert WMC.
The opening goal came when Mulvaney cleared the ball high and it went over the Witton Gilbert defence and Iain Mac was in and slotted it home.
It stayed like this until the second half when captain Davidson stormed forward from defence and rocketed the ball into the net via the bar.
The game was put beyond doubt through super sub Lee Wright, who found the bottom corner after being played through.
Witton Gilbert did get a consolation via the head of Chilton Lodge defender Ian Davidson.
Pelton Crown Inn edged a 3-2 win against Ferryhill Community Hub.
Keeper Michael Gibson made several saves for Pelton before Jordan Shaw opened the scoring for them, lifting the ball over the on-rushing keeper.
The lead was extended as a hopeful ball was latched onto by Connor Shaw, who slipped the ball past the keeper.
It was 3-0 when Steven Haswell won a header and Shaw lashed in a shot.
Complacency set in, allowing Hub in for two goals - but Pelton held on for the win.
In the Premier League, Houghton Town won 3-2 against Burnside WMC thanks to goals from Kyle Davis 92) and Joseph Calvert.
Durham County were 8-1 winners at Houghton Wild Boar All-Stars after four goals from Alex Hird, and goals from Daniel Robinson, Jack Carr, Robson Brown, Tom George and George Parkin.
Roy Hardwick got the consolation goal in the dying minutes - his first goal for the club.