FOOTBALL
Wearside League
Belmont United FC.............0
Barnard Castle FC...............2
BARNEY carry some momentum into the Christmas break after a 2-0 victory away to title challengers Belmont United.
On a breezy Saturday in Durham, Barney left the Kepier Ground the happier side, with Ryan Todd and, bizarrely, goalkeeper Joe Ramage getting on the scoresheet.
The visitors opened the scoring after three minutes, with Todd nodding home a Robert West trademark long throw.
The game was then a 50/50 affair, with Barney helped by a very strong wind.
This wind was to play a vital role in the 30th minute when Ramage sent a ball up field.
The opposition keeper misjudged the bounce and could only watch the ball bounce over his reach into the empty net.
Clearly Barney were the happier of the sides at half time, but only good defending from both Tom Hammond and Phil Merryweather kept the scoresheet clean.
Despite defending into the wind for the second period, the visitors kept Belmont at bay, limiting their hosts to half chances.
Currently sitting in ninth position, Barney do have vital games in hand and have a strong chance of contending for promotion in the second half of the season if they can take advantage.
Barney are back in action on January 6 away to Hetton Juniors.
Ebac Northern League
WEST Auckland Town grabbed all three points with a 3-0 win at local rivals Shildon.
Josh Scott bagged a hat-trick, with a goal just before half time and two in added time at the end of the game – by which time Shildon were down to ten men – to seal the win. It sees West sit in fourth place in the first division ahead of a busy Christmas period.
The side is on the road again tonight (Wednesday) when they head to Northallerton before welcoming Seaham Red Star to the Wanted Stadium on Friday evening.
On Boxing Day, West make the journey to Crook before heading to Teesside for a game at Guisborough on December 30.
Darlington Sunday Morning Invitation League
GAINFORD Cross Keys got the better of local rivals Staindrop Wheatsheaf in a nine-goal thriller.
Staindrop were hampered by starting the game with just nine players due to the late arrival of five members of the squad.
In the end, the game could have gone either way, but it was hosts Gainford who took the points.
On target for Gainford were Jamie Catterick, Ben Moore, man-of-the-match George Taylor, Mark Harding and Adam Peart.
Replying for Staindrop were Harrison Saunders with two goals, Joe Hall and Tom Hammond.
Elsewhere, a five goal blitz in the second half gave Middleton Wanderers a thumping win away at Toft Hill.
Barnard Castle Youth FC
A brief roundup from the weekend youth matches:
U8s
Barney won a close game after a thrilling match. Freddie D scored the goal that sealed the win and Lucas M was player of the match.
U9 Hurricanes
Tommy M scored a hat-trick in a win against NYSA. Harry Close, Louie Fell and Enzo Kamada also scored. Tommy M was player of the patch.
In another match, Riverside Juniors won a game against Barney. Caleb K scored a goal for Barney.
U10s
Barney won a convincing game against Normanby. It was their first clean sheet in a long time.
U11s
Barney won a convincing game against Great Ayton.The goals were shared out. This was their 4th clean sheet in a row.
U13 Hurricanes
Barney lost a game against Bishop St Mary’s, despite twice taking the lead. Bishop came back to win 3-1.
James Docherty was player of the match.
U13 Tornadoes
Spraire Lads won against Barney.
Barney started the game well and scored two goals but
Barney was down to a total of 12 players in the squad due to injuries and sickness.
Spraire Lads scored one goal just before halftime and four goals in the second half.
