October 2nd 2003

TITLE RACE TAKES ANOTHER TWIST
Jackson Anderson Accountants Spennymoor Sunday League
THE Division One title race took another interesting twist when rivals Newton Aycliffe and Thorns drew 1-1. Aycliffe and Thorns have both dropped points, with surprise package Broompark Loves currently top of the league.
And Loves’ shock championship assault was boosted further still by the score draw last Sunday.
Nick Armstrong had given Aycliffe a first half lead, and despite Thorns’ majority possession and three fantastic saves by Aycliffe stopper and man-of-the-match Craig Lowe, they held their lead until the break.
It looked like Thorns were heading for a frustrating 1-0 defeat until injury time, when substitute Steven Richardson netted a dramatic late equaliser.
“Disappointed to come away with just a point,” said Thorns manager Dave McWaters. “It was a very good, close game and good to watch, but I felt we shaded it and, had their goalkeeper not made three outstanding saves, we would have won the game. Having said that, we have equalised in injury time, so in that respect we have to be grateful for the point.”
Aycliffe Assistant Manager Craig Murray said: “I have to pay credit to both sides. While Thorns probably played the better football, I was delighted with our battling performance. We clung on to our lead and we were up against it – they are definitely the best footballing side we have played up to now this season and our goalkeeper has kept us in the game, while I also thought we defended very well.”
Meanwhile, Old Shildon capitalised on the draw by comfortably beating Tudhoe United 5-2.
Ian Maddison (2), Paul Wilson (2) and Paul Whensley scored for Shildon, with Billy McLacklin getting both Tree goals.
In the only other First Division game last week, Binchester Social Club won 1-0 at Green Tree, who had recorded a shock win over Aycliffe the previous week.
In Division Two, Joe Ward, Phil Curry and Paul Story were on target for Voltigeur to give them a 3-0 win at Boot & Shoe.
Elsewhere, Masons Arms won 1-0 at Belvedere thanks to a Peter Kerr strike, while Andrew Samms and Scott Wallace were on target for Eldon Arms to give them a 2-1 win over Cumby Arms. Andrew Metcalfe scored for Cumby.

RESULTS ROUND-UP
Sunday September 28
Division One: Thorns 1, Newton Aycliffe 1; Old Shildon 5, Tudhoe Utd 2; Green Tree 0, Binchester SC 1.
Division Two: Grand 2, Middlestone Moor 3; Eldon Arms 2, Cumby Arms 1; Belvedere 0, Masons Arms 1; Boot & Shoe 0, Voltigeur 3.

FIXTURES
Sunday October 5
B&A Trophy R1: Cumby Arms v Masons Arms, Horndale v Middlestone Moor, Lakeside v Belvedere, Loves v Brawns Den, North Briton v Beehive, Tudhoe Utd v Hunwick Joiners, Old Shildon v Salvins, Eldon Arms v Binchester SC, Masons Utd v Postchaise, Newton Aycliffe v Voltigeur.
BYES: Shildon Athletic, Grand, Victoria, Green Tree, Boot & Shoe, Thorns.
OTHER GAMES
Division One: Green Tree v Thorns.
Division Two: Grand v Shildon Athletic, Victoria v Boot & Shoe.

LEAGUE TABLES