Catholics back to winning ways up against Wallsend
Penshaw Catholic Club got back to winning ways with a deserved victory against Wallsend Boys’ Club in the Sunderland and District Over-40s Football League at Herrington Park at the weekend.
Once again it was a game played in difficult, windy conditions, with both sides deserving praise for their quality of play throughout.
Penshaw dominated the first half, with the Wallsend defence struggling to contain the home team’s pace up front and were rewarded with a fine finish by Paul Hodgson to put his side 1-0 up at the break.
It didn’t take long after half-time to make it 2-0 with a near-post header from a corner by Chris Moody.
Wallsend staged a good fightback and Penshaw Keeper Mark Hartley had to be alert to tip over a freekick.
Penshaw almost made it three but a Archie Archbold goal was ruled out.
Pelton Crown hosted Washington EMS in a thrilling 3-3 draw which was a game of two halves.
Pelton had the wind in their favour in the first half and kept Washington pinned in their own half.
Steve Bowey opened the scoring after 15 minutes. A Neil Johnson corner then found Mickey Crow at the far post and he headed in on off the post.
Johnson then set a delightful move away which Steve Bowey finished off to make the score 3-0 at halftime.
Washington had the wind in their favour in the second half and went 3-1 up after five minutes when winger Carl Short tucked away a great cross from Paul Kindon.
Washington gained a freekick just outside the box and centre-back Dave Graham smashed it home to make it 3-2.
The equaliser came with another great cross from Paul Kindon which was flicked home by Danny Murray.
In the Premier, Hartlepool FC Blues had an excellent 3-2 win at second-top
Middlesbrough.
In Division Two, Hartlepool Raby Arms hosted Sunderland Hall Farm on another weekend when blustery conditions made it difficult for all teams and Raby ran out 2-1 winners.
Sunderland coped better in the early exchanges and brought good saves from Alan Keers.
Raby settled and began to create chances and were rewarded when Robbie Thompson finished well from a good cross from Anth Broome.
The second half started with the visitors looking to play in the Raby half but they were equal to the challenge and extended their lead. A superb free-kick was bent into the top corner by Ian McDonough.
Sunderland pulled one back almost immediately, which set up a nervy finish. Raby were camped in their own half for much of the final 15 minutes but dug in to claim all three points in an outstanding team effort. Keers and McDonough stood out for the winners.
Hartlepool Cricket Club travelled to Boldon Colliery and lost 2-0 in the proverbial game of two halves. Boldon bossed the first half and went ahead on 15 minutes, doubling their advantage
two minutes later with a soft penalty.
Cricket never really got going, but importantly they stayed in the game till halftime.
It was a different story after the break with the visitors dominating but not quite able to find the goal they needed. Scott Newbegin twice tested the keeper, as did Trevor Gibson.
Michael Ross, with a freekick, and Paul Lindsay, with a header, both just cleared the crossbar.
Willow Pond used their possession well in the first half and carved out plenty of chances against Darlington Railway through David Kelly and strikers Martin Lee and Gary Golightly.
The first half was end to end and Railway were comfortable on the ball in the counter through their man of the match Mark Wheldon, but they never threatened Pond keeper Andrew Tilbury except for a couple of corners.
A foul on the edge of the home box saw Railway take advantage of a quick freekick as Pond keeper Tilbury set his wall up. Appeals by the home side were waved away by referee Colin Stores and the goal stood against the run of play to give the visitors a 1-0 win in the end.
Fixtures for February 19: Premier Div: Ferryhill Greyhound v Blyth Masons Arms, Hebburn Town v The Times Inn, Middlesbrough SC v Marden , Penshaw Catholic v Pelton Crown Inn, Sherburn Village v Easington Colliery, Wallsend BC v South Shields, Washington EMS v Hartlepool FC Blues
Div One: CSSC Darsley Park v Consett, Dubmire Club v Roseberry Hilda Park, Humbledon Plains Farm v Wallsend Community, N/ Shields Pineapple v Seaham Harbour Cricket, Sedgefield v Redcar Town, Stanley v Milbourne Arms, Wearmouth CW v Grindon Broadway, Woodhorn Lane v Hartlepool Jacksons
Div Two: Hartlepool Cricket Club v S/Shields Catholic Club, Hartlepool Tech v Richmond , Peterlee Helford v Durham County, Mill View v Hall Farm, Washington Biddick Inn v Boldon Colliery Old Barrel
Div Three: Billingham Vets v Durham Bede Lodge, Hedworthfield Red Hackle v Wingate Constitutional, Heighington Bay Horse v Shildon AFC, Newcastle Blue Star v Whitburn FC, Ivy Legends v Pennywell Comrades, Trimdon Vets v Walkergate FC
Div Four: Houghton Cricket Club v Houghton the Burn, Royal Navy v Redcar Newmarket, The Doxy Lad v Catchgate, Philadelphia v Hartlepool Vets, Willow Pond v Rolls Royce, West Moor v Billingham the Lion.