Rolls Royce in the driving seat as Pond hopes dry up
Hosts Willow Pond had to soak up a lot of pressure before Rolls Royce motored to a 2-1 victory in their Sunderland & District Over 40s League clash.
Shots from Gavin Evans and Andy Laidler were saved by Pond ‘keeper Andrew Tilbury and headed clear by full back Lee Brown. Rolls midfielder Lee Steel had low drive that centre half Andrew Norman cleared over the bar for corner, which came to nothing.
An excellent shot from outside the box by Rolls striker Johnny Nichols had Tilbury at full stretch to fingertip the ball round the post. Rolls ‘keeper Agnew had to be on his toes twice in quick succession to make saves from Laws and Dodd.
The deadlock was eventually broken when a rightwing attack by Rolls resulted in a cross-cum-shot by Lee Steel that went over the Pond defence, and Tilbury, to drop in at the far corner.
Pond equalised when Rolls didn’t clear a corner and Laws set up Norman, who fired the ball home from close range. Another surging run from Norman saw Agnew save his low shot with an outstretched foot. Grieves headed over after better pressure from Willow Pond.
Rolls then counter-attacked and Evans hit the post, with Tilbury beaten. Pond substitute Mark Soppitt had a goal disallowed for offside.
Rolls substitute Ian Usher scored the winner with a fabulous long-range strike that could not be kept out by Tilbury.
A last-ditch counter-attack by Pond saw Norman have a chance to equalise but he headed his chance straight at Agnew and the final score was Willow Pond 1, Rolls Royce 2.
Ferryhill Greyhound maintained their lead at the top of the Premier League with a hard-fought win against a Penshaw Catholic Club side determined to make them work to continue in their pursuit of the title.
This was a game between two of the best teams in the
league, with both sides battling for every ball at Herrington Park and quality football throughout.
Ferryhill started stronger and took the lead when Davy Duke took advantage of slack defending to convert from 10 yards.
Both teams had chances after but Penshaw equalised after a swift move down the right saw an excellent cross into the middle headed in by Chris Moody.
Ferryhill’s winner came from a set piece, with captain Carl Beasley squeezing the ball into the net through a crowded goalmouth. Both teams tried to add goals but defences were strong and the game ended 2-1 in Ferryhill’s favour. Mark Swindle was outstanding in the Penshaw defence, while the hardworking Stephen Houllihan started for Ferryhill.
Washington EMS hosted South Shields and ended up with a comfortable 3-0 home win.
The game started fairly even, but Washington’s pace up front was creating a problem for South Shields and Paul Kindon finished a great run down the right wing with a cross headed in at the far post by centre forward Davey Graham.
Kindon then scored the second goal for Washington when a superb pass sent him
through from the half way line to go round the ‘keeper and put it in the empty net.
Kindon became provider again when he put Steve Burns in for a third goal for Washington just before half time. South Shields came out fighting in the second half and chances went begging for both sides.
Washington, however, won the game with Kindon getting the man of the match honours, while Steve Williams was outstanding in midfield for South Shields.
In the Premier, Hartlepool Workies lost 6-1 at home to Ryhope Foresters, the team they beat the previous week, after a very poor first half cost them dearly.
Workies were three down before they finally threatened, when Neil Farwell’s effort was saved. But Ryhope went straight down the other end to make the half-time score 4-0.
Workies were better after the break but conceded again before Stu Greig twice hit the woodwork.
Ryhope made it six before Greig hit the net when Farwell put him through.
In Division Two, Hartlepool Catholic Club fared even worse than Workies, losing 8-1 at Peterlee.
Hartlepool Tech were involved in a nine-goal thriller at home to Billingham Vets in Division Three, running out 6-3 winners.
SunderlandandDistrict Over 40s League fixtures for Saturday, June 5:
Premier Division: Easington CW CIU v Hartlepool Workies, St Mary’s College v Ryhope Foresters, Wallsend Boys Club v Penshaw Catholic Club, Washington EMS v Ferryhill Greyhound.
Division One: CSSC Darsley Park v Pelton Crown Inn, Consett v The Milbourne Arms, Hebburn Town v Thornley Harry’s Bar, Sherburn Village v Whitley Bay Seahorse, Stanley v Wallsend Community, Grindon Broadway v N/Shields Pineapple.
Division Two: Peterlee Helford v Washington Biddick Inn, Redcar Town v Hartlepool Catholic Club, Hartlepool Stag & Monkey v N/Aycliffe Cobblers, Seaham Harbour Cricket v Roseberry Hilda Park, Sedgefield v WoodhornLane,Wearmouth CW Old Boys v Richmond Town.
Division Three: Billingham Vets v Mill View Social Club, Forest Hall v Durham County, Heighington Bay Horse v Boldon Colliery Old Barrel, Pennywell Comrades v Ivy Legends.
Division Four: Bedlington United Sporting v Willow Pond, Catchgate v Doxy Lad, Houghton the Burn v Durham Bede Lodge, Shildon AFC v Whitburn, Rolls Royce v Walkergate.