Barnard Castle’s double delight

Wearside League Premier Division Esh Winning 1 Barnard Castle 2

Barnard Castle FC are marching their way up the Wearside Premier Division table after three impressive victories on the trot.

Manager John Close admits he would have been happy with a draw from Tuesday night’s away game to Esh Winning and Deerness, but was over the moon to come away with three points.

“I said to the lads before the game, one point will do me here against a team that hasn’t lost since September. To come away with three, we are over the moon,” he said.

“It was an amazing victory against a strong side. We controlled the first half, scored two goals and we were the better side.”

The first was by Tom Merryweather who scored a looping header over the opposition’s keeper from a free-kick.

The second came from a long direct ball that was flicked on by striker Reece Marsdon to right winger Zack Blythe who got in behind the defence and struck it into the corner netting.

Both were scored in the first-half.

Close said: “In the second half we were kicking uphill so came under more pressure, but we had a chance to extend our lead to three-nil about an hour into the game, which we didn’t take.

“I did wonder at that point if we would live to regret that. They won a penalty with about 25 minutes left which they converted to make it two-one. Then, thankfully, we dug in and hung on.

“Our lads worked incredibly hard to minimise their chances. I think most neutrals would probably think a draw is a fair result there but we were delighted to get over the line and get a win to make it three wins in a row.”

The victory ended Esh’s winning streak that has seen them undefeated since September.

Annfield Plain 1 Barnard Castle 2

Saturday’s match was an equally convincing away win against Annfield Plain which also ended 2-1 in Barney’s favour.

Annfield opened the score after converting a dubious penalty but the equaliser came early in the second half with Reece Marsdon heading in from a cross.

Then 16-year-old Jack Johnson scored with a half-volley from 25 yards out.

The coach said: “It was a very pleasing result away from home against a side who are above us in the league and on their day can be a problem for any team in our league because they have significant financial resources.”

This weekend will see Barney take on league leaders Washington in a cup match.

Close said: “Then we have two games in the league which are both very winnable and you start looking up the table rather than over your shoulder.”

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Staindrop Wheatsheaf came back from a heavy 5-0 defeat against Witton Park last week to dominate local rivals Middleton Wanderers on Sunday. Leading 3-1 at half-time, Staindrop managed three more goals in the second half to win 6-1.

Bishop Auckland Hospital Social Club 5 Gainford Cross Keys 4

Gainford suffered a narrow defeat to Bishop Auckland Hospital Social Club in a nine-goal thriller.

The teams were drawing 2-2 at half-time, but Gainford conceded three goals in the second half to Social Club’s two to end the match 5-4 in Social’s favour.

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Barnard Castle Rangers managed a consolation goal in the second half in their 5-1 defeat to Darlington Harrogate Hill Social Club after trailing 3-0 at half-time.