THORNS DRAW CUP FIRST BLOOD
Jackson Anderson Accountants Spennymoor Sunday League
THORNS drew first blood in the first of two cup finals with Hunwick Joiners.
The Division One champions, who pipped Hunwick to the league title only on goal difference, beat their rivals 5-2 in the Division One Cup Final last Sunday.
And they are due to go head-to-head this Sunday again (8th May) in the B&A Trophy Final at Coxhoe Athletic’s football ground in Coxhoe.
Norman Liddle broke the deadlock for Thorns with his first goal of the season, before Tommy Parkin doubled their lead, also with his first goal of the campaign.
Paul Bailes then pulled one back before the break from the penalty spot, but Andrew Richardson increased Thorns’ lead after half-time, with Mark Nicholson soon making it 4-1.
Ian Woodall then scored for Thorns to make it 5-1, and Lee Genner grabbed a late consolation.
It’s Thorns’ first cup final victory after they’d lost FIVE consecutive finals in the last four seasons of the Spennymoor League.
“The lads were suitably chuffed to bits!” admitted Secretary Steven Richardson. “It’s been a long time coming, but they seemed to play better on that surface and it suited them better.”
Meanwhile, Victoria also won their first-ever trophy last Friday when they beat favourites Binchester Social Club in the Kelvin McIntosh Division Two Cup Final at Coxhoe.
James Smith put the Vic in front before Anthony Binks equalised for Binny. Then an own goal gifted Victoria a 2-1 victory.
“We’re over the moon!” said gaffer Marcus Jayne. “It was our first-ever final and to get there was special in itself, so the lads were delighted to have finally won something, it was great for them and we’re looking forward to the presentation night!”
Meanwhile, the Spennymoor Sunday League is holding a special cup final in the name of one of its former members who sadly passed away more than a year ago.
The league named its Invitation Trophy after Aycliffe Sports Club legend Paul Stevens following his sudden death last year.
And now the competition – in its inaugural year – will stage its first final on Paul’s former stomping ground, Aycliffe Moor Lane, in what will be an emotional final between Horndale and Masons Arms this Friday (6th May), 6.30pm kick-off.
Members of Paul’s family and many of his friends are expected to be present at the game, while the league is also inviting former team-mates and opponents of the popular big man to make an appearance.
The league has already been boosted with a corporate donation to go towards charity for the game, while members of the Sports Club plan to hold a raffle in the clubhouse after the match.
The league’s remaining two finals thereafter will be played at Coxhoe Athletic’s football ground.
The B&A Trophy Final between Thorns and Hunwick will take place on Sunday 8th May (10.30am), while the last cup – the League Cup Final between Binchester Social Club and Masons Arms – will kick-off at 10.30am on Sunday 15th May.
• The next league meeting will be the league’s AGM, which is due to take place at the Lakeside, Woodham, Newton Aycliffe, on Wednesday 8th June, from 8pm. All clubs wishing to take part in the 2005-06 season must attend.
• The league’s end-of-season presentation night will be held at Old Shildon WMC on Friday 27th May. Trophy-awarding will be followed by singing group Koncept. | 
