Season gets off to a good start!

SwinBurn Maddison Durham Sunday Football League Started Its 44th Season On Sunday with Half of the League Involved in the Alan Smith Memorial Trophy. The Big Game of the Day, Holders Ferryhill Wmc entertained Fellow Premiership side Chester Hilda Park. It was the Holders Ferryhill who took the lead early in the First Half, Hilda Park Fought Back, just Minutes before half-time however they levelled the scores, after Damon Ellis released Chris Duke in the box who calmly slotted past the keeper. This Made the Half Time score Ferryhill WMC 1 - 1 Hilda Park FC. Despite the first half being an evenly fought battle the second was somewhat the opposite. A brilliant right-footed strike from Shaun Williamson put Hilda Park  2-1 up after 50 minutes and from then on Hilda Park started to run the Game Further Goals from Damon Ellis and once each for Callum Turnbull and Adam Williamson to make the score 6-1. Ferryhill rarely troubled Hilda Park at the back With Minutes Remaining Ellis Grabbed His Third of the Game and Hilda Parks seventh, making the Final score 7-1 to Hilda Park. Hetton Lyons Cricket Club Travelled to Sedgefield to play the Net Park .This a very one sided game but a good workout for the Lyons and 6 goals coming from Michael Rae. The Lyons opened their account for the season after 4 minutes with a great through ball from Carl Beasley and Rae turned inside and smashed it passed the keeper (1-0).In the 17th minute the goalkeeper pulled off a great save from Keith Graydon but Rae was there to pick up the rebound to make it 2-0. Chris Mason made it 3-0 after 34 minutes when he picked the ball up from the edge of the 18 yard box and loped it over the defenders and the goalkeeper. Rae got his hat trick on 39 minutes; Warren Byrne beat two defenders and was brought down in the penalty area the referee played the advantage for Rae to score (4-0).Lyons made 5-0 just before half time with Rae hitting the ball from the edge of the penalty area after some desperate defending from Sedgefield.

Second half underway and it was just a question of how many goals would the Lyons score, Warren Byrne got his well deserved goal after 53 mins with a cross from Johnny Butler and Byrne beat the defender to head it in 6-0. Carl Beasley made it 7-0 with a great strike  after Sedgefield tried to clear the ball from a corner.Rae got his 5th goal on the hour mark with a great run down the right hand side beating the defender and crossing the ball for Rae to smash it in to the net 8-0, he got his double hat trick 7 minutes later with some good work from Jason Ainsley and Rae slotted the ball past the desperate keeper 9-0.Chris Lowther wrapped it up for the Lyons in the dying minutes when Byrne was tripped in the box and Lowther gave keeper no chance from the penalty.10-0.  Full credit to Sedgefield lads for keeping it going. Kelloe WMC FC eased through the 2nd round of Competition with a 5 - 0 victories over new premier league rivals Washington JFC.  Chris Smith (2), Gavin Barton, Nick Gibson with the goals along with a final own goal made by Neil Charlton

Pelton  Roab  entertained Sedgefield  Black Lion  Progressing to the Next Round winning 7-1 with goals from Craig  Mickle two Luke  Kerry ,Paul Freeman, Ryan Drummond  ,Craig Ritchie ,Craig Marron .Lumley Fc Entertained Langley Park Steelers c. It was the Steelers FC were pushed all the way but ran out 3 -1 victors. Malekpour put The Steelers one up, then Merren gave the visitors a healthy lead before the home side pulled a goal back from Corner Debutant Lumley Alex Malcolm Rose To Head Home Making The Score 2-1   going into the break. Malekpour grabbed his second as the game etched towards a close and put The Steelers into the next round. Harris was MOM for the visitors as he constantly worked a solid defensive partnership. In another all Premiership Game Brandon Bay Horse entertained Sacriston Cricket Club. This was a cracking game played by 2 good sides and in a very fair and competitive spirit. Sacriston took the lead on 4 mins when Yates intercepted a poor pass from the Brandon defender after being put under pressure from strike partner Beggs and Yates dribbled with the ball into the box where he found himself one on one with the keeper and he struck the ball into the bottom left hand corner for 1-0.The Bay Horse levelled the scores on 18 mins when a cross from the left flank got into the box and Kevin Coates put through his own goal under pressure at the far post from David Fort. The Cricketers went 2-1 ahead 5 mins later when Yates was barged into by the Brandon defender inside the box and Beggs smashed home the penalty confidently into the bottom left hand corner. Then on 29 mins Brandon squared the game at 2-2 when Andy Robson got free from his marker to head in at the bottom corner from a Brandon corner. On the stroke of half time Sacriston went ahead for a 3rd time when good play down the left hand side led to Rob Draper crossing the ball into the box where Beggs headed in at the near post to make it 3-2 to Sacriston at half time.3 mins into the 2nd half and Brandon were level again when we got caught up field losing possession and Brandon counter attacked quickly and won a free kick on the edge of Sacriston’s box 20 yards from goal.Johnson struck the free kick to the goalkeepers side of the wall and the ball bounced awkwardly over Hall in the Sacriston goal and into the net to tie the game for the 3rd time. Both sides had good chances and the game ebbed and flowed from box to box and with 10 mins to go in the match Brandon won a free kick 40 yards from goal and Kevin Coates the Cricketers Defender was sent off for a 2nd yellow. Sacriston had to play the rest of the game with 10 men. Danny O’Brien went really close when his header hit the bar from Graeme Embleton’s free kick and Beggs nearly won the game with a clever flick in the box which was well saved by the Brandon keeper after some good work by Yates.Then the game was decided in injury time when
Brandon were awarded a penalty for a foul by Danny O’Brien, and Gav Mudd who had come on as a 2nd half substitute scored from the penalty via the left hand post.Sacriston still had time for one more chance when we were awarded a free kick right on the edge of the box but Embleton’s free kick hit the wall and the game was over. Brandon winning 4-3.Newton Aycliffe entertained Pelton Fc, Aycliffe took the game to Pelton from the start, but after ten minutes a breakaway by the visitors saw Chris Lawton put them one up. Aycliffe went back onto the attack with Mark Woods equalising from a freekick.  Shortly  afterwards the pressure told again,and after a run from the halfway line to the six yard box by Anthony Campbell,Marr side footed in, for 2.1 at the interval. By the mid point of the second half Aycliffe had scored three more goals, from Brischuk 2 and Marr. Aycliffe made three substitutions and took their foot off the pedal, allowing goals from Jonathon Yip and Adam Barrass to bring Pelton back into the game. However a late goal from Stuart Owen completed the victory. Langley Park Wmc Entertained Sedgefield St Edmunds, It was Sedgefield started the game coming close straight from the kick off. Langley settled into the game and  scored after 18min with some very good play down the right hand side from Kris Reed and finished of by Kieran coming in from the left, the game was pretty even Langley made some more good chances but on 28min Greg Coates was sent off for kicking out at a Sedgefield left back Sedgefield then got on top but Langley defended very good  and got to half time 1-0 up .Second half started much like the first with Sedgefield coming at Langley but the 10 men all worked hard and still passed the ball well and created some good chances and went 2-0 up after 55minute with some good build up play from the midfield and forward John Harrison put Kieran  throw and he finished off with a great finish into the top left corner. Sedgefield then pushed more bodies forward and created a couple of half chances but the 10 men all dug in and all worked hard and on 65minutes scored a 3rd with a good finish from Kris Reed, on 75 mins Langley were awarded a penalty the Sedgefield centre half who was already booked elbowed Craig Cowell the ref give the penalty but never sent the player off, John Harrison tuck the penalty and the keeper pulled off a good save the game finished 3-0 great result for Langley park well deserved.

Houghton Comrades Travelled to Gilesgate Moor Hotel , both teams started the game at a really high tempo having equal possession, but after 35mins it was gilesgate moor who took the league with a really well worked goal and a good finish from Mark Wild . 1-0 at half time. the tempo of the second half was just as good as the first with both teams playing some good football and again it was the Gilesgate Moor Hotel fc who scored and went 2-0 up with another well worked goal scored by Chris Brown The Comrades then put pressure on the Moor Hotel and finally got the goal they were looking for and it was only a matter of time before they got an equaliser as they worked really hard to get back into the game. 2-2 with 15mins to go The Hotel had to step up their spell of good possession they finally got the winner 5mins from the end with a good solo goal from Robert Cooper. To make the Final score Gilesgate Moor Hotel fc 3 Houghton Comrades fc 2. Washington Lambton Village Lost 4-0 at Burnside Wmc,Waterhouses were 6-3 winners at Sacriston Wmc .Chilton WMC were  3-2 winners Over Coxhoe Wmc,Durham Bede Lodge were 4-2 winners at West Rainton, good start to the season for  Bede Lodge went into a 4 - 0 lead with goals From Dean Card, Lee Pratt, Paul Richardson And An O.G.  Rainton Responded With 2 Goals In The Last 20 Minutes But Bede lodge came away with the victory. , Ushaw Moor Cricket Club were 3-2 winners at Sherburn Lambton Arms,.

Washington Victoria were 3-0 winners at Barley Mow Inn. Washington Arms got their season off to a fine start with a 2-0 away win at Houghton Mill All Stars. Mill had chances to take a first half lead but Kevin Johnston blasted over the bar from close range and a Philip Thompson volley rattled the woodwork. The deadlock was broken on fifty five minutes when an Arms free kick landed twenty yards from goal for Carlo Barrass to hammer the ball into the net. Washington doubled their lead on seventy five minutes when Danny Murray netted from a right wing cross to seal a well deserved win.
In the League Games that were Played In the Third Division, Chester Easystreet having been promoted to the third division looked to take charge of the game in the first 30 minutes but had very few shots on goal and it was a poor clearance from the Pelaw Defence that allowed the Easystreet to score on the half hour.Shortley before this Pelaw's Gary Ryan who had been hobbling after a tackle had to come off and be replaced by Chris Gosling. Strangely enough the last 15 minutes Pelaw Grange Dogs looked the better side and looked more threatening. In the second half this was the similar storey but Easystreet still looked dangerous. However a mistake in the 80th minute saw a shot by Pelaw grange Dogs FC substitute Paul Hargreaves go under the Easystreets keeper and a few minutes later substitute Chris Gosling was encouraged to chase the ball down to the corner which he won and crossed leaving Chris Hawkins to put the winner in for Pelaw Grange Dogs FC at close range.Easystreet 1-2 Pelaw Grange Dogs, Newly Promoted Witton Gilbert Wmc Entertained Bowburn Cooperage , In a tight first half Witton took the lead in the 25th minute when a great cross from Smith was headed home by Scott Embleton.

They should have extended their lead straight from the kick off in the second half when Smith hit the post and Bradley blazed the rebound over the bar. Despite making several other good opportunities they were guilty of poor finishing and suffered the consequence when Bowburn equalised. The goal had been coming to be fair and Witton were only level thanks to good saves from Bryan Potts. However the keeper did make a mistake with 15 minutes to go and gave away a needless penalty which was converted to make it 2-1 to Bowburn. Framwellgate WMC entertained East Rainton FC 
In a thoroughly entertaining 12 goal thriller, with East Rainton FC showing great fight and character to come back from 5-2 down.  Both teams played some attractive Football and a draw seemed a fair result. At 6-6...New Durham Wmc were 2-1 winners at Ferryhill White Horse and Pittington Travelled to Shadforth Plough and in an entertaining game shared the points in a 2-2 Draw.

In the Fourth Division Newcomers Chester Cricket Club entertained Ferryhill Dynamo’s, The Cricketers started brightly with an opening goal coming after just 5 minutes when Darren Redfearn rounded off a good team move.  Ferryhill Dynamos came back and equalised after 20 minutes with a free kick from just outside the box slipping under the home goalkeeper.  Chester CC finished the half strongly and took a 2-1 lead into half time when a goal mouth scramble saw Darren Redfearn score his second.  Chester CC scored two more goals early in the second half through Steven Redshaw after some good work down the left, and Jonathan Haggerty who finished well from inside the box.  Chester CC created a number of chances to put the game further beyond the Dynamos, with Redfearn hitting the post to deny him a hat trick.  Ferryhill created some good chances late on but were unable to finish them. Final Score Cricketers 4-1 Dynamo’s.
 Fencehouses Dubmire entertained Framwelgate Moor Salutation , A competitive game which saw Dubmire score early in the first half then later when they went 2-0 up from the spot.Salutaion pulled a goal back(Bussey-penalty) At halftime Dubmire were worth their 3-1 lead. Salutation had a very good second half but couldn’t score.Dubmire finish the game with a late goal which killed off a good second half display by Salutation.

Langley Park Rams Head were at Home to newcomers New Brancepeth Wmc, an entertaining start to the new season, Langley were 2-0 up within 10 mins, Tony Rutter scored and Steven Cummings scored a bullet header, New Brancepth came back into the game, making it 2-2 after 25 mins, Langley took lead again after mistake by New Brancepeths keeper, Christopher Coates scored a 6 yard screamer!!!  To make it 3-2.Langley withstood the Brancepeth Pressure and were 3-2 up at half time. The second half was different story, New Brancepeth got on top all over the pitch and overran Langley and won 6-3 in end .Washington Colliery 6-0 Chester Leonard’s
 a promising 1st half performance from Leonard’s came to nothing, as silly errors and decisions gifted their opponents a two goal lead at the break. And that was as good as it got for the Leonard’s with the 2nd half performance lacking fight and spark. Colliery took full advantage of some very poor Leonard’s defending.
 
Witton Gilbert Wmc Entertained Bowburn Cooperage In a tight first half Witton took the lead in the 25th minute when a great cross from Smith was headed home by Scott Embleton.They should have extended their lead straight from the kick off in the second half when Smith hit the post and Bradley blazed the rebound over the bar. Despite making several other good opportunities they were guilty of poor finishing and suffered the consequence when Bowburn equalised. The goal had been coming to be fair and Witton were only level thanks to good saves from Bryan Potts. However the keeper did make a mistake with 15 minutes to go and gave away a needless penalty which was converted to make it 2-1 to Bowburn.Washington Honest Boy were 7-1 Winners over Burnmoor Jks, Ferryhill Post Boy won 3-0 at Quarrington Hill Wmc and Kelloe Davy Lamp were 4-3 Home winners over Durham Garden House.