| TITLE RACE NIP 'N TUCK
Bowman Anderson Accountants Spennymoor Sunday League
THE title race went ever closer to the wire last week as Thorns and Old Shildon both won crunch league games.
With leaders Broompark Loves in supposed cup action (their B&A Trophy semi-final tie with Masons Arms was postponed), Thorns and Shildon took advantage by taking maximum points
It means all three teams are set to be on the same points if teams win their games in hand.
And it all makes for an exciting stalemate. “It will be very close,” said Old Shildon’s Dave Hedley, who saw his side beat Beehive 7-0 with goals by Kevin Russell (3), Thomas Louden (2), Martin Hedley and Ian Maddison.
“Our hardest game is probably Newton Aycliffe, but it’s really in our own hands and if we win our remaining games we should win the league as our goal difference, at the moment, is the best out the the lot.”
Old Shildon and Loves both have Newton Aycliffe to play, while Thorns’ hardest game- in terms of league positions – would be Salvins.
They won 5-2 at Aycliffe last week, with Steven Richardson (2), Lee Atkinson, Andrew Richardson and Craig Cowans scoring the goals.
“It was very hard,” said boss Dave McWaters. “It was 2-2 for a long time and it really could have gone either way, but we took our chances second half and that was crucial.”
Elsewhere, Postchaise won 5-3 at Horndale with goals by Paul Thompson (3) and Matthew Moffit (2). Ryan Stonehouse (2) and Paul Weatheridge scored for Horndale.
Salvins won 2-1 at home to Tudhoe United, Mark Nicholson scoring both goals.
In Division Two, Hunwick recovered their midweek blip to record another priceless victory.
Stephen Howe scored twice and Sean Nicholson once to give the promotion-chasers a 3-1 win at the Voltigeur.
Boss Aidan McCabe said: “It was a blip but we seem to have overcome that now. All we need to do now is keep our nerve and keep winning our games. This is still new to us and the experience of achieving promotion is new, but the lads just have to concentrate on each game and hopefully we’ll get promotion – winning the title would be a bonus.”
Elsewhere, Masons United won 3-2 at the Grand with goals by Dean Merchant (2) and Wayne Mundy. Kevin Priestly scored both Grand goals.
Meanwhile, due to unforeseen circumstances, the four cup final dates have had to be re-arranged.
Newton Aycliffe face Old Shildon in the final of the Division One Cup on Sunday April 18.
Voltigeur will play Masons Arms in the Division Two Cup Final, a game that will now take place on Sunday April 25.
The B&A Trophy Final between Old Shildon and either Loves or Masons Arms will be played on Sunday May 2, which means the League Cup Final will now be played on Sunday May 9. The semi-finals consist of Tudhoe United, Loves, Thorns and Old Shildon.
• The league is requesting that all clubs who haven’t already returned their trophies won during the 2002-03 season to contact either Mike Hill or Martin Walker ASAP.
Newton Aycliffe currently hold the Division One title shield, while Browney have the Invitation Cup and the Division Two cups. Postchaise have the Division Two title shield.
• Old Shildon are holding a Sportsman’s Dinner on Friday April 16th (7.30-11pm), with former Liverpool star David Fairclough the guest speaker. Comedian Dave Adams also makes up just some of the entertainment. Entry is just £10, pay at the door, which includes a Pie and Peas supper. Contact David Hedley for more details on 07940 992884.
RESULTS
Sunday April 4
B&A Trophy SF: Loves v Masons Arms postponed
Division One: Newton Aycliffe 2, Thorns 5; Old Shildon 7, Beehive 0; Salvins 2 Tudhoe Utd 1; Horndale 3, Postchaise 5.
Division Two: Grand 2, Masons Utd 3; Voltigeur 1, Hunwick 3; Victoria 1, Eldon Arms 2; North Briton 3, Belvedere 3; Middlestone Moor 2, Shildon Athletic 2.
Tuesday March 30
Division One: Postchaise 5, Newton Aycliffe 2; Horndale 1, Old Shildon 4; Salvins 0, Loves 2; Beehive 6, Lakeside 2.
Thursday April 1
Division Two: Eldon Arms 1, Masons Arms 3; Cumby Arms 0, Grand 7; Middlestone Moor 2, Hunwick 1; Voltigeur 1, Masons Utd 1; Boot & Shoe 1, Shildon Athletic 1; North Briton 4, Victoria 1.
FIXTURES
Sunday April 11
League Cup semi-finals
Tudhoe United, Loves, Thorns, Old Shildon
(drawn Wednesday April 7)
Division Two: Cumby Arms v Shildon Athletic, Grand v Boot & Shoe, Hunwivk v Eldon Arms, Masons Utd v North Briton.
Tuesday April 13
Division One: Green Tree v Horndale, Thorns v Lakeside, Loves v Beehive, Old Shildon v Newton Aycliffe, Postchaise v Salvins.
Thursday April 15
Division Two: Grand v Masons Arms, Hunwick v Middlestone Moor, Voltigeur v Boot & Shoe, Eldon Arms v North Briton, Masons Utd v Shildon Athletic.
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