Ebac Northern League
Penrith………………. 2
West Auckland……. 3
WEST regained a top five position after a narrow away win at bottom club Penrith.
An Amar Purewal brace followed by a debut goal from on-loan defender Chris Hunter secured the points.
A two minute silence was superbly observed by all in Frenchfield Park to mark 100 years since the end of the First World War.
The action began with West having made three changes from last week’s FA Vase win at Thackley, with Hunter, Alex Francis and Adam Burnicle coming in for Denver Morris, Jamie Cobain and the injured Nathan Fisher.
West started the better side and on five minutes had a good shout for a penalty when Burnicle played Purewal through and the strikers looked to have been brought down.
The ref, however, was having nothing to do with it.
The first chance for the home side came on 20 minutes with a cross shot.
Soon after Penrith were awarded a free kick central to the goal. Shaun Gardner lined the 30 yard free kick up but it was saved by Shane Bland in the West goal.
The breakthrough came on 29 minutes when Alex Francis played a well-weighted pass to Purewal who beat the offside trap and drilled a shot into the far corner.
Just before the half time whistle Adam Burnicle could have doubled the lead but his effort was straight at the keeper from inside the box.
The hosts got themselves back into the game after just two minutes of the second half.
Coleman’s shot was pushed out and from the resulting cross Connor Shields flicked it past Bland to equalise.
On the hour mark Shaun Gardner put Penrith ahead with something of a wonder-goal, volleying home from a corner.
West were level within three minutes when Tom Portas was brought down in the box. Purewal stepped up to fire home his second of the game.
West scored the decisive goal five minutes later when Adam Mitchell sent over a corner that was headed powerfully home by Chris Hunter.
Penrith then saw their own shout for a penalty turned down after Coleman appeared to be man-handled to the ground.
West then saw out the game to make it five wins from five in all competitions.
West: Bland, Hegarty, Price, Snaith, Hunter, Colquhoun, Francis (Dodds 78′), Portas, Burnicle, Purewal, Mitchell. Subs: Wearmouth, Mckeown, Cobain, Morris.
Attendance: 125.
Dave Bussey
Crook and District League
OF the dale sides, only Redwell Rangers were in action last weekend, and the side’s chastening introduction to league football continued.
Away to Ferryhill United in the first round of the Colin Waites Cup, Redwell leaked 18 goals.
Redwell will hope for better this Saturday when they host Bishop Auckland Pavilion in the league.
Other fixtures this Saturday see Bowes FC visit Shildon and Glaxo Rangers welcome Willington WMC to Manor Farm in division one.
Evenwood Town are at home to Stanhope Sports and Social Club in the second division. All games kick off at 1.30pm.
Wear Valley Sunday League
SECOND division leaders Toft Hill Three Tuns had to battle back from 3-0 down to secure passage through to first round of the Heart Foundation Cup.
Away to Brandon Sports, the second half fightback was led by Andrew Boyes, who scored twice, Nigel Beckley and Jonathan Raine as Toft Hill squeezed through 4-3.
No such luck for Gainford who were beaten 5-3 at home to Stillington Royal in the same competition.
Alan Haycock, with two goals, and Ben Moore were on target for Gainford.
West Auckland Tunns also crashed out of the cup, losing 5-3 to Ferryhill Dynamos. Marc Bell (2) and Calum Crook were on target for Tunns.
In the league, Staindrop played out an entertaining 3-3 draw with Newton Aycliffe Big Club.
Jamie Hayman bagged a brace and Josh Bravey added Staindrop’s third.
Other results
Division 1: BA Pavilion 0, Witton Park 5; BA Sports 4, Shildon Elm Road 0.
Division 2: Darlington RA 14, BA Snooker 0; NA Gretna 1, BH Blues 3; Spennymoor Ash Tree 4, Red Lion 1; Wearhead United 2, Bay Horse 3.
Heart Foundation Cup preliminary round: NA Navy Club 0, Coundon Miners 3; Skerne Park 1, NA Sports 4; Langley Park 1, Middlestone Moor MA 1 (MM won 7-6 on penalties); Willington Queen’s Head 8, MSG Havelock 0; Kirk Merrington Half Moon 2, Gateshead Sheriff Hill Three Tuns 1.
Stuart Laundy
