Comrades’ comeback ends in 4-3 defeat away to Tech
Pennywell Comrades were on the road at Hartlepool Tech in Sunderland and District Mill View Over-40s Football League’s Division Three and gave their hosts a run for their money, though they ended up losing out.
Tech looked set to run out easy winners but had to settle for a 4-3 victory.
Theystartedwellandtook the lead midway through the first half when Michael Ross tapped in after the keeper spilled a cross. It was soon 2-0 when Ross powered in a header from a Stuart Sleeman cross.
It wasn’t long before Tech added a third through a Glenn Maxwell rocket from 30 yards and went into the break 3-0 in front.
The second half was a different game and Pennywell shocked Tech with two early goals. Both sides then missed chances before the visitors equalised.
Tech then stepped it up to put a halt to the Comrades’ comeback and took the points with a good finish from Sleeman.
After 25 years of trying to win the Premier League, Ferryhill Greyhound finally became champions on Tuesday night.
They defeated St Mary’s College 10-1 and opened up an unsurmountable points gap at the top, with Middlesbrough in second place.
Right-back Carl Beasley scored nine goals and the other scorer was Steve Houlahan.
Credit must be given to St Mary’s, though, as they turned up with only eight men and the game was already lost before another four players turned up to complete their squad.
In the Premier, Hartlepool Workies finished their season at home to Washington EMS.
Injuries and work commitments meant they had to field a scratch side against their visitors and ultimately lost 3-1.
After an even start, they fell behind on 10 minutes when a silly back pass went straight to Washington’s Keith Gamble and he slot
ted home. Stu Greig flashed a shot just wide for the hosts before a cross was headed in by Paul Kindon to double the visitors’ lead.
Workies were first to threaten after the break, Greig again shooting narrowly wide, then midway through the half he was fouled in the box and put away the resulting penalty kick.
In the closing minutes, Washington wrapped up the points when they broke out of defence to score again through Kindon.
Bedlington had to work hard for their win against Willow Pond on Saturday.
Keeper Andrew Tilbury for Willow was again in fine form and the Bedlington forwards were thwarted by a stubborn back four and midfield.
Bedlington had pace to burn and countered to shoot from distance at any opportunity, with their man of the match, Ross Dillon, shaving the post after beating the offside trap early on.
Tilbury saved a David Jamieson effort and then saved full stretch from a Michael Lee thunderbolt.
Pond were competitive and had plenty of possession but couldn’t threaten Bedlington.
Jamieson and Dillon were a constant threat, with the latter curling a shot close to
the upright.
The second half saw Bedlington break the deadlock with a long ball over the home midfield by Wayne Sayer that Dillon collected, then powered forward and held off his marker to fire home.
Pond created chances and corners but Bedlington defended well.
The best chance for Pond came from Lee Brown, who turned his man outside the 18-yard box to unleash a shot wide of the post that was covered by Leadley.
Bedlington doubled their lead from a wonder goal by Lee after he cut into the box from a run on the right wing to score from a tight angle.
Tilbury saved another Dillon
shot for a corner that was cleared by Pond centre-half David Hoey. Jamieson had a shot cleared by Hoey, and a succession of Bedlington corners ended with George Lowery heading over an open goal.
Tilbury made saves from Jamieson and Dillon after a loss of possession by the home side. Dillon won the ball from the defence to cross for Jamieson, who headed over while under pressure from Pond centre-half Kevin Churchill.
Pond nearly reduced the deficit with a Gary Barker free-kick, but keeper Leadley was equal to it.
Tilbury was again in action at the death when he tipped over a piledriver from Paul Harrison.
Pond made Bedlington work hard for their 2-0 victory but lacked a cutting edge.
Saturday fixtures Premier Division:
Ferryhill Greyhound v South Shields, Wallsend Boys’ Club v Middlesbrough, Washington EMS v Ryhope Foresters Division One: CSSCDarsleyParkvWallsend Community, North Shields Pineapple v Stanley, Pelton Crown Inn v Sherburn Village, Plains Farm v Consett, Milbourne Arms v Thornley Harry’s Bar, Whitley Bay Seahorse v Grindon Broadway Division Two:
Cobblers Hall v Hartlepool Jacksons, Richmond Town v Wearmouth CW Old Boys, Sedgefield v Roseberry Hilda Park, Woodhorn v Redcar Town
Division Three: HeighingtonBayHorsevWingate Comrades, Sunderland Ivy Legends v Billingham Vets, Mill View v Hartlepool Tech, PennywellComradesvBoldon Old Barrel
Division Four:
Bedlington Sporting v RollsRoyce, Catchgate v Houghton Cricket, Durham Bede v Sunderland Doxy Lad, Newcastle Blue Star v Sunderland Willow Pond, the Philadelphia v Walkergate, Trimdon Vets v HoughtontheBurn,Whitburn v Shildon