Crook and District League
THE first round of the Weardale Charity Cup threw up a Barnard Castle derby when Bowes FC travelled to Manor Farm to take on Glaxo Rangers.
A competitive game, which wasn’t settled until the final quarter of the match, was played out in front of a sizeable crowd.
The match couldn’t have started any worse for Glaxo, who, with only 13 fit players, had to throw on a sub for the kick-off when one of the starting 11 was late out of the changing room.
Not surprisingly, this unsettled the hosts and Tommy Hutchinson gave Bowes the lead after just two minutes.
Despite this early setback, Glaxo got themselves back into the game and were level on 15 minutes when good work from Colin Welsh, who impressed in midfield, led to a well taken goal by Jamie McDougall.
As might be expected in a local derby, there were some crunching challenges which led to yellow cards for players on both sides, but the ref kept control and allowed the action to flow whenever possible.
Rangers took the lead from another smart finish by McDougall after good work from James White, who was then on hand to clear off the line and ensure Glaxo went into the break 2-1 to the good.
The second half started cagily and the turning point came when Tom Merryweather, probably Bowes’ best player on Saturday, equalised from wide on the left.
Whether he meant to shoot or cross, only he knows, but his effort caught out Glaxo keeper Jonathan Kent at his near post and the sides were level.
Striker Callum Tallentire, who until this point had been well marshalled, then produced a superb finish, cutting in from the left and curling a shot round Kent’s despairing dive and into the bottom corner. As the young Glaxo side began to run out of steam, Bowes were awarded a penalty which Tallentire squeezed under Kent’s body to make the final score 4-2 to the visitors.
Elsewhere, Evenwood are up to second in division two after thrashing Crook Wanderers 9-1.
Scott Duggan bagged four, Ashley Murphy got two, Scott Holliday was on and there were two own goals.
The first game of the new Alan Britton Memorial Trophy saw Heighington beat Redwell Rangers 14-2.
Wear valley Sunday League
IT was four wins out of four for the dale’s Sunday morning sides.
Bowes FC impressed in the County Cup with a 3-2 home win against Wearside raiders Herrington CW.
In a tight affair, goals from Callum Tallentire, Richard Borrowdale and Tom Merryweather helped Bowes to a 3-2 victory.
In the league, unbeaten second division leaders Toft Hill Three Tuns made it seven wins from seven – with a 7-1 win against North Bitchburn Red Lion.
Allan Jones scored a hat-trick with the others coming from Anthony Tray, Andrew Boyes, Anthony Bowes and Jacob Collins.
Second placed Gainford Cross Keys won 6-2 at BA Snooker.
Craig Edwards bagged a hat-trick, Alan Haycock two and Adam Sams added the other.
These two wins set up Sunday’s derby clash perfectly when the sides meet at Toft Hill recreation ground.
Staindrop consolidated their place in the top half of the table with a 3-1 win against Bishop Auckland Bay Horse Blues.
Gareth Walton, Jamie Hayman and Joe Peel were the scorers.
Other results
Division 1: West Auckland Club 5, Shildon Elm Road 0; Queen’s head 0, BA Pavilion 5.
Division 2: Bay Horse 3, Wearhead 0; Darlington RA 1, NA Big Club 2; NA Gretna 4, Kirk Merrington Half Moon 7.
Sunday County Cup: Middletsone Moor Mason’s Arms 3, Hartlepool DHTDSOB 1; Stockton RSD 5, NA Sports 3; Sunderland Carpet Centre 0, Coundon Miners Arms 0 (Sunderland won 4-3 on penalties); Witton Park 4, Blackhall Hardwick 3.
