Vic dent Croxdale title bid
Jackson Anderson Accountants Spennymoor Sunday League
VICTORIA managed to crush Croxdale’s title hopes with a close win over their rivals this week – leaving the championship race wide open.
Croxdale have been sitting at the top of Division Two for some months now and have looked favourites to win the division and automatic promotion to the top flight.
But they went down 3-2 at the hands of Victoria on Tuesday night and, with just two league games of the season remaining – both involving second-placed Quinns – they may have handed their nearest rivals the title.
James Smith, Jason Greenland and Gary Scott all scored for the Vic to record the crucial win despite some late Croxdale pressure.
Manager Marcus Jayne said: “It was a cracking result for us as we need to finish as high as possible. The league may be re-structured in the summer so we want a higher finish to make sure we’re in the highest possible division.”
The remaining Division Two games between Quinns and Croxdale and Victoria v Quinns will be worth a watch.
Meanwhile, George and Dragon completed their disappointing season with a victory last Sunday.
Their 4-2 home victory over Masons United was only their fourth of the campaign, thanks to goals by Wayne Pratt, Chris Small, John Fleming and John Walker.
And boss Ronnie Hewitson says it was nice to finish on a high. “We managed to field the team that I would to start next season with,” he said. “So it was pleasing to get a win. Our problem all season has been not being able to field the same team every week, or even get 11 players, which never helps! But I’d like to think we can keep that group together which played in the last game and we should enjoy a much better season.”
Masons Arms booked their third cup final of the season with a 2-1 win over Quinns in the League Cup semi-finals.
For more details and action pictures, see the latest Game of the Week feature.
In Division One last Sunday, Hogans won 2-1 at Penny Gill with two goals by Jonathan Slack. Gary Summerson scored the Gill’s goal.
Binchester Social Club rounded their season off with a 3-1 win at home to the Bay Horse.
• The B&A Trophy Final between Masons Arms and Quinns will be held this Friday (5th May). The League Cup Final between Thorns and Masons Arms will be played on Sunday 7th May. The Kelvin McIntosh Division Two Cup Final between Belvedere and Quinns will be played on Friday 12th May, and he Division One Cup Final between Masons Arms and Hunwick Joiners will go ahead on Sunday 14th May. All finals are being held at Coxhoe Athletic’s ground in Coxhoe.
• The league’s end-of-season presentation night will take place on Friday 9th June at Old Shildon WMC, with entertainment by local band the Zoo, tickets priced £3.
• The next league meeting will be the AGM at the North Briton in Aycliffe Village on Wednesday 7th June from 8pm.
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