Barnard Castle FC suffer more penalty heartbreak

Monkwearmouth Charity Cup, round one: Durham Corinthians 2 Barnard Castle 2 – Durham won 4-3 on penalties

For the second time this season, Barney suffered spot-kick heartbreak in the cup competitions.

Last month, a 3-3 draw with Windscale in the Shipowners’ Cup was followed by a shootout, which the Cumbrians won.

And, at the weekend, penalties were again required to separate Barney and Durham Corinthians in the Monkwearmouth Cup.

It was a game manager John Close believes his side should have put to bed in the opening 45 minutes.

“We went 1-0 down against the run of play, we were the better side in the first half,” he said. “We then had a penalty appeal that was so obvious even their bench was laughing when it wasn’t given!

“Finlay Thomas went down the left and cut inside right-back who mis-timed his tackle and just swept his legs out from under him. You could hear the clatter on the shinpads!

“We eventually equalised through Alberto Dumba, who rounded the keeper and put the ball in the net following a great through-ball from Zack Blythe.”

Barney hit the woodwork through Blythe and new signing Kieran Alderson missed a sitter in the closing stages of the half.

“We went in at half-time 1-1 but we could have scored four goals and had the game won,” said Close.

Barney were the better side in the second half and Harry Petterson made it 2-1 with a goal on the break. But in the final 10 minutes Durham fought back and equalised through a goal that looked offside and had two good chances to win the game.

After dominating, the visitors were nonetheless relieved to get to full-time all-square but missed penalties from Petterson and Thomas meant Corinthians progressed to the second round.

Barney play the first of five games in 15 days tomorrow (Saturday, 2pm) when they entertain Ferryhill Athletic. Then, on Wednesday, they travel to struggling Brandon United (7.45pm).

Durham County FA Minor Cup, round one Brandon Community Youth 3 Barnard Castle Reserves 4

Barney Reserves progressed in the cup following a seven-goal thriller at Brandon Community Youth.

Nouradine Mahamat scored in the 21st and 29th minutes to ensure Barney ended the first half level at 2-2.

Leo Buckle scored a third on 67 minutes and Mahamat completed his hat-trick with what turned out to be the crucial fourth goal 10 minutes from time.

Next up for Scott Denton’s side is a Division One away trip to third-placed Grangetown Boys Club tomorrow (Saturday, 2pm).

Darlington Sunday Invitation League Division One Staindrop Wheatsheaf 6 Skerne Park 0

Staindrop are joint top of Division One after thumping Skerne Park 6-0 at the weekend.

With four wins from four league fixtures, Wheatsheaf have 12 points, the same as leaders Shuttle & Loom, who have played one game more and have a slightly superior goal difference.

Man-of-the-match Sam Hodgson fired the hosts into a 2-0 lead against Skerne Park with goals in the eighth and 24th minutes. Mason Wright added a third before half-time with further goals after the break from George Taylor (52), Aaron Reed (58) and Joe Hall (78).

Division Two Gainford Cross Keys 3 Bishop Auckland Manor 1

Cameron Gilbey scored twice as Cross Keys recorded a vital Division Two victory. Gilbey scored in the 26th and 67th minutes while Ben Moore netted on the hour mark in what was Gainford’s second league win of the season. Mark Harding was named man of the match.

• Bishop Auckland Hospital Social Club 7 Barnard Castle Rangers 1 (Raw 25).
• Northern Premier League Eastern Division Lincoln United 3 West Auckland Town 2 (Trotter 77, Jackson 83).
• West Auckland Town 2 (O’Gorman 47, Jackson 77) Beverley Town 0.