Wear Valley Sunday League
DIVISION two leaders Toft Hill Three Tuns remain unbeaten – but dropped their first points of the league campaign in an incident-packed dale derby against Staindrop Wheatsheaf.
The game finished 3-3 and really, hosts Toft Hill have only themselves to blame after failing to convert two penalties.
The morning’s affairs started prior to kick-off when Staindrop found themselves without a keeper, so Sam Hicks stepped forward to don the gloves for the first 25 minutes or so until regular stopper Steve Powner arrived to take over.
In the meantime, both sides created chances in the opening couple of minutes and that set the pattern for the game.
Toft Hill took the lead when striker Andrew Boyes burst through and gave Hicks no chance.
The hosts were then awarded their first penalty, which was blazed over the top of the bar. Back came Staindrop, who drew level when Joe Peel reacted well to score.
The visitors then took the lead from a marvellous individual effort from Robert Bell, who cut in from the left and beat the keeper at his near post.
On the stroke of half time it was 2-2 when Michael Barker headed in powerfully for Toft Hill.
Anthony Bowes restored Toft Hill’s lead shortly after the restart with a smart finish.
Then Staindrop’s Kieran Linton upended Allan Jones. No question about the foul, but the ref pointed to the spot for a penalty when the offence had taken place well outside the box.
No matter, Powner guessed correctly and saved Nigel Beckley’s kick.
Toft Hill began to dominate, but with time running out, Peel scored his second to make it 3-3 and claim a share of the points.
Elsewhere, Gainford won 3-1 at home to Newton Aycliffe Gretna thanks to goals from Rob Vayro, James Readman and Ben Moore.
In the first division, Callum Tallentire hit a hat-trick, Tommy Hutchinson scored twice and Ed Sabey netted as Bowes defeated Shildon Elm Road 6-0.
Other results
Division One: Bishop Jnrs Pavilion 7, West Auckland The Club 4 (Tony Callaghan (2), Myles Swift, Gareth McMahon jnr); West Auckland Tunns 3, (Jack Mortimer, Liam Blighe and Mark Parvin) Bishop Sports Bar 1.
Division Two: Bishop Blues 2, North Bitchburn Red Lion 1; Darlington RA 2, Spennymoor Ash Tree 1; Kirk Merrington Half Moon 4, Bishop Bay Horse 5; Newton Aycliffe Big Club 3, Wearhead Utd 2.
Heart Foundation Cup second round: Coundon Miners Arms 2, Witton Park 2 (Coundon won 4-3 on pens); Ferryhill Celtic 1, Middlestone Moor Masons Arms 2; Newton Aycliffe Sports Club 0, Burnside 7.
Crook and District League
EVENWOOD Town booked their place in the semi-finals of the Colin Waites Cup on Saturday.
Scott Duggan bagged a hat-trick and Stuart Mounsey added a fourth as Evenwood held out 4-3 against Wolsingham.
Bishop Pavilion and Stanhope also won to secure their semi-final berths.
In the league, Bowes moved up to second with a 5-1 win at Wear Valley. Rob Dixon, with a hat-trick, Callum Teasdale and Callum Tallentire were the scorers.
Valley, meanwhile, had two players sent off.
Glaxo Rangers went down 5-2 at Darlington Travellers Rest. Jamie McDougall and Kevin Maughan were the scorers for Glaxo.
