Football round-up
Crook and District League
BARNARD Castle FC claimed bragging rights in the town derby match with a comprehensive win at home to Glaxo Rangers.
When the teams met just a couple of weeks or so ago at Glaxo’s Manor Farm ground, it was honours even in a 2-2 draw, but this latest encounter was a one-sided affair.
Barney started slowly, but once they hit their straps Glaxo were always under pressure.
Moving Richard Borrowdale up front to make a nuisance of himself alongside Rob Dixon made for an uncomfortable afternoon for the Glaxo defence.
Dixon scored Barney’s first with a neat headed effort and the lead was doubled shortly afterwards when Rob West popped up from the back to head home a Josh Bousfield corner.
Dixon added his second and there were further goals from Lewis Robinson, Tom Merryweather and Sam Hodgson as the team’s first league win means Barney finally have a point on the board this season after being docked for failing to fulfil a fixture.
It was a disappointing afternoon for Evenwood Town, who bowed out of the Norman Wright Memorial Trophy after a 4-2 loss at second division Heighington.
Gareth McMahon and Chris Howe were the scorers for Evenwood, who travel to Barnard Castle for a league match this Saturday.
Glaxo are also at home on Saturday against Stanhope Town SSC. The games kick off at 1.30pm.
Wear Valley Sunday League
IT was a chastening morning for Gainford Cross Keys, who lost 8-2 at West Auckland Sports Bar.
Gareth McMahon jnr and Myles Swift both scored hat-tricks for Sports Bar, with Gareth McMahon snr and Ben Collinson adding to the score.
Ethan Turbitt-Little and Alan Haycock grabbed the consolation goals for Gainford.
Toft Hill Three Tuns completed the double over Newton Aycliffe Roundhouse with a 2-1 win.
Andrew Boyes and Michael Embling were the scorers for Toft Hill.
In the other game, Middlestone Moor won 3-2 at Leeholme, who visit Gainford on Sunday.
Darlington Sunday
Morning Invitation League
MIDDLETON Wanderers almost staged the comeback of the season as they bowed out of the league cup at Darlington Deacon.
A forgettable first half saw Middleton go into the break 3-0 and it looked like game over when the hosts added a fourth.
But Middleton then awoke from their Sunday morning slumber and fired in three goals to set up a pulsating finale.
Wanderers thought they had grabbed a late equaliser, but the ref ruled it out for offside and Deacon squeaked through 4-3.
FA Vase second round
Billingham Synthonia….. 2
West Auckland Town……. 1
INJURIES played their part as West crashed out of this year’s Vase.
Minutes into the game, there was a lengthy delay as Anthony Bell received treatment for a knee injury which saw the influential midfielder replaced by Evan Horwood.
Then on 25 minutes, West were forced into a second change when Jamie Cobain came on for Liam Potter who also picked up an injury.
Despite having to reorganise, West then began to press and Jordan Blinco forced a good save from the home keeper on 37 minutes.
From the resulting corner, Gary Brown met Horward’s accurate ball in to give West the lead.
Deep into the added time for Bell’s injury, Billingham equalised from a free kick on the edge of the area.
There was little between the sides in the second half and it looked as though whoever scored next would progress – and that was how it turned out when Synthonia found the net on 80 minutes.
West’s final throw of the dice was to bring on striker David Dowson, but Billingham saw out the game and progress to the third round.
