Crook and District League
BOWES maintained Barnard Castle bragging rights with a narrow 3-2 league win against Glaxo Rangers.
At 3-0 up, Bowes should have been out of sight, but their visitors mounted a late fightback to come within an ace of grabbing a point.
As is becoming something of a habit, Glaxo were slow to start and it was Bowes who did all the early pressing, so it was no surprise that Rob Dixon slotted home well after just three minutes.
Jonathan Kent, between the sticks for Glaxo, was by far the busier of the two keepers and he pulled off a couple of decent saves to keep the deficit to just one.
However, he had no chance from Tom Merryweather’s header which looped over him and into the top corner to double Bowes’ advantage.
When Callum Tallentire added a third early in the second half, that should have been game, set and match.
However, Glaxo are a much more resilient side these days and after substitutes were introduced and the formation changed, back they fought with goals from James White and Kevin Maughan.
However, Bowes saw out the game and claimed the three points.
This weekend, Glaxo face another tough test at home to Shildon Railway, while Bowes visit Crook Town Wanderers in the second round of the Norman Wright Cup.
Elsewhere on Saturday, Evenwood Town and Bishop Auckland Pavilion played out an entertaining 4-4 draw in the Colin Waites Cup.
Scott Duggan, Anthony Tray and Chris Howe were on target for Evenwood, whose fourth came from an own goal.
Dave Short scored Redwell Rangers’ consolation in a 7-1 defeat at the hands of Ferryhill Town.
The two teams meet again this weekend in the Colin Waites Cup, while Evenwood visit Wolsingham in the same competition.
Wear Valley Sunday League
THERE’S still no stopping Toft Hill as all three dale sides in the second division won this week.
Two each for Nigel Beckley and Matthew Tyrie, plus goals from Kieron Conroy and Jonathan Raine made it 12 out of 12 for Toft Hill.
Craig Edwards banged in four goals and bagged himself the man-of-the-match award as Gainford overcame Bishop Bay Horse 6-4.
Alan Haycock and Joshua Payne were the other scorers for Gainford.
Jamie Hayman hit a hat-trick for Staindrop in a 5-2 win against Wearhead United. Sam Hicks and Kieran Linton added the others.
In the top division, Bowes had to settle for a point in a 3-3 draw against Coundon Miners Arms.
Tommy Hutchinson scored twice and Callum Tallentire added the other for Bowes.
Other results
Division 1: WA Tunns 2, Shildon Elm Road 3; WA Club 7, Willington Queen’s Head 0.
Division 2: BA Blues 6, BA Snooker 4; Darlington RA 2, Newton Aycliffe Sports 3; Spennymoor Ash Tree 0, NA Big Club 2; Kirk Merrington Half Moon 7, North Bitchburn Red Lion 3.
Durham Sunday Cup: Sunderland Silksworth CW 1, Witton Park 2; Whickham Coachman 1, Middlestone Moor MA 3.
