Scrappy spectacle ends in disappointing defeat

Wearside League Premier Division Barnard Castle 0 Willington 2

Barnard Castle began their 2026/27 Wearside League campaign with a disappointing home loss to Willington.

It certainly wasn’t the start to the season manager John Close was hoping for.

In what was a scrappy, disappointing spectacle, Barney barely tested the visiting goalkeeper, creating few genuine scoring chances and will have been disappointed to have only forced a couple of corners.

In fact, the closest the home side came to scoring was an injury time shot from distance that deflected off the top of the Willington crossbar.

The two goals came in a five-minute spell shortly after the half hour mark with Harry Thompson firing home a half-volley from a knockdown and Max Stoker poking a shot past keeper Luke Bell.

Willington squandered several chances to increase their lead while too many breaks from the home side broke down due to loose passing.

Barney are next in action on Wednesday when they travel to Ferryhill Athletic (6.45pm).

North Riding League Division One Whinney Banks YCC 2 Barnard Castle Reserves 2

Barney Reserves coach Scott Denton was moderately pleased with his side’s performance in their opening competitive fixture of the season.

Whinney Banks twice took the lead in the Division One clash and twice Barney levelled, first through Jayden Knight on 34 minutes and then thanks to Lucas Sidebottom, who netted with 15 minutes remaining.

“A point is a point,’ Denton told the Mercury. ‘We had to come from behind twice but, on the other hand, if we’d taken our early chances we would have been four or five ahead, so in that respect it’s a missed opportunity.

“But we’re playing in Division One now, so the standard is probably going to be higher this season.”

The coach admitted his team conceded two soft goals to Whinney Banks, probably because the players were still ring rusty after the summer break.

But he was pleased that Barney’s goals came from two new signings, including 16-year-old Knight, who is a very promising attacker.

Barney Reserves host Haughton-le-Skerne at Tens Field today (Saturday, 2pm).