Grindon Broadway show plenty of fight as Old Boys edge victory
Wearmouth Old Boys did just enough to clinch a 2-1 victory over Grindon Broadway in Division One of the Sunderland & District Over-40s League.
In an entertaining first half between fourth placed Grindon and fifth placed Wearmouth Old Boys, the game was played out end to end.
Crosley broke the deadlock for Wearmouth after 20 minutes, but five minutes later, Grindon were enraged when they were denied a penalty.
However, Grindon did equalise when Griffiths lobbed the Wearmouth keeper from 25 yards.
During the second half, Wearmouth began to tire, but Grindon couldn't take advantage of this although they had chances.
Against the run of play, Wearmouth went into the lead through a misunderstanding in the Grindon defence.
However, Grindon never stopped attacking but couldn't find that second equaliser.
Hartlepool FC Blues put in a better display than of late and were rewarded with an excellent 4-2 win at Hebburn Town in the Premier League.
In Division Two, Hartlepool Raby Arms hosted Durham County.
Arms controlled most of the game but spurned glorious chances, and were punished as they lost 3-2.
Durham took an early lead which sparked Raby into life, and they equalised following a corner through Kenny Weighill.
They were now controlling the game and went ahead with Weighill’s second following a great team move.
They had clear-cut chances to increase their lead either side of the break as they continued to dominate despite having to reshuffle due to injuries.
Durham were handed a lifeline from a poor kick out and their striker found the top corner.
This gave them impetus to push on and they got the winner with a long ball forward
that caught out the Raby back line.
Injuries continue to pile up for Hartlepool Cricket Club following their 5-2 defeat at Hall Farm.
There was no excuse however for conceding twice in the first five minutes.
It was 3-0 at half-time and four shortly after the restart, but at least they can say they drew the second half with a more spirited performance than the first.
Sunderland Rolls Royce went down to Houghton Cricket, thanks to a father and son combination in a tight game which was settled midway through the first half.
A great move from Houghton ended with a cross from Forster junior and Forster senior scored from close
range.
There was a few nervy moments near the end, but Houghton hung on for three points.
In Division Four, Willow Pond ground out a 1-0 victory against a resolute Redcar Newmarket side, who fielded a new formation which frustrated them throughout the game.
The first attempt on goal went to Redcar after John Lever capitalised on a mistake by Raymond Dalgleish, but the defender recovered to block his shot for a corner.
The deadlock was broken after Willow Pond midfielder David Laws set up Steve Jamieson, who then crossed from the by-line over the Newmarket defence to unmarked Andy Tones, who headed
home from close range.
From the restart, Redcar had a corner headed away by David Hoey for Dalgleish to collect and breakaway down field for Pond, his long pass finding Lee on the end of the area, but Moore saved his first time shot.
Another Redcar attack by Lever set up Norton on the run for him to shoot low on goal, Tilbury diving full length Dalgleish blocked the follow up shot.
Redcar's Chris Vardy hit the bar from distance and should of done better when he later found himself on the end of a cross in the box, but missed the target.
FIXTURES: Premier:
Blyth Masons Arms v Easington Colliery CIU, Hartlepool
FC Blues v Washington EMS, Hebburn Town v Ferryhill Greyhound,KillingworthYPC v Marden, Middlesbrough SC v Ryhope Foresters, Pelton Crown Inn v South Shields, Penshaw Catholic Club v Sherburn Village WMC, Times Inn v Wallsend BC.
Div One: CSSC Darsley Park v Stanley, Consett v Humbledon Plans Farm, Hartlepool Jacksons v Redcar Town, N/Shields Pineapple v Dubmire SC, Seaham Harbour Cricket v Sedgefield, Grindon Broadway v Woodhorn Lane, Wearmouth Old Boys v Wallsend Community, The Milbourne Arms v Roseberry Hilda Park.
Div Two: Boldon Colliery Old Barrel v Newcastle East End, Hartlepool Cricket Club v Peterlee Helford, Hartlepool
Raby Arms v Seaton Buildings, Hartlepool Tech v N Aycliffe Cobblers Arms, Richmond Town v Mill View SC, S/Shields Catholic Club v Durham County, Washington Biddick Inn v Hall Farm.
Div Three: Bedlington United Sporting v Pennywell Comrades, Heighington Bay Horse v Whitburn, Shildon AFC v Wingate Constitutional Club, Ivy Legends v Billingham Vets, Trimdon Vets v Newcastle Blue Star, Walkergate v Hedworthfield Red Hackle.
Div Four: Billingham The Lion v The Doxy Lad, Hartlepool Vets v Catchgate, Houghton Cricket Club v The Philadelphia, Houghton the Burn v Rolls Royce, Redcar Newmarket v Seaton Carew, Willow Pond v West Moor.