Football round-up
Durham Minor Cup
Evenwood Town……………… 4
Gateshead Redheugh………. 0
EVENWOOD produced an excellent performance against a Tyneside team packed with youngsters.
On a blustery afternoon, both teams tried to get the ball down and play a passing game and it was the hosts who dominated proceedings, with Gareth McMahon up front giving the Gateshead defence a torrid time while Robert Worthy proved a handful with his darting runs up the left wing.
The two combined to give Evenwood the lead. McMahon took the ball, turned and beat his defender before crossing to the back post where Worthy volleyed home from close range.
McMahon then scored the second, a fine solo effort which ended with a shot that gave the keeper no chance.
Gateshead continued to pass and move but lacked a cutting edge up front.
Evenwood continued to dominate affairs and both McMahon and Worthy added another goal to make the final score 4-0.
County Cup
FC Hartlepool Reserves …….1
Barnard Castle FC …………….3
Barnard Castle progressed to the next round of the County Cup after a confident 3-1 victory away to FC Hartlepool Reserves.
The Barnard Castle roadshow headed to the coast for their first match in the most prestigious cup competition they contest and hopes were high for another deep run.
Everyone who was at the Tens Field last year for the painful semi-final defeat in a penalty shoot-out may have finally moved on, but the hunger to lift this trophy is high.
Confidence must have sky-rocketed when Robert West broke down the right-hand side and fired his shot past the keeper’s left-hand side into the top corner.
The lead didn’t last long though, as the home side drew level 15 minutes before the break and despite being the better side, Barney must have been disheartened at half-time.
West was again involved in the second goal, one of his long throws came in from the right and Harrison Saunders managed to convert from the close range with the ball bobbling around the box.
Ollie Ross came off the bench and completed the scoring with ten minutes remaining to seal a successful afternoon.
Barney host league leaders Hetton Juniors FC next Saturday at the Tens Field, Baranrd Castle, at 2.30pm kick off. It’s a huge game for their season, as they currently sit in mid-table and are looking to make a push for higher standings.
Ebac Northern League
AFTER the previous week’s disappointing reverse on Tyneside, West turned in a much better shift at home to Sunderland RCA last Friday.
By the time they took the lead, West had already hit the bar and had a goal ruled out for offside.
The breakthrough came on 27 minutes when Stephen Walker applied the final touch to a low cross.
RCA were level ten minutes later, but Josh Scott restored West’s lead shortly before half time when he headed home Corey Nicholson’s cross.
After the interval the two combined again to extend the host’s lead.
This time, Walker was the provider as Nicholson shot home from a rebound.
RCA pressed to get back into the game and West were thankful for a couple of fine saves from keeper Nick Liversedge to preserve the two goal advantage.
Darlington Sunday Morning Invitation League
STAINDROP Wheatsheaf took bragging rights with a 3-0 victory in the dale derby against Middleton Wanderers.
Two goals from Aaron Reed and one from Callum Spence sealed the points for Staindrop.
Johnny Robinson was judged Staindrop’s man-of-the-match.
Gainford Cross Keys suffered a 2-1 reverse at the hands of Darlington Sartans. Cameron Gilbey scored Gainford’s goal and Jamie Catterick earned man-of-the-match honours.
Elsewhere in the league, Coundon Durham Ox scored 18 against hapless Darlington Grey Horse, who did at least manage a consolation. Next Sunday, Staindrop line up against Grey Horse.
Stuart Laundy
