Croxdale maintain top dog spot
Jackson Anderson Accountants Spennymoor Sunday League
CROXDALE maintained their Division Two title drive with a win at Belvedere as the league’s fixture programme resumed after the festive and New Year break.
Top-of-the-table Croxdale raced into a 3-0 lead before half-time with goals by Gavin Bell, Kevin Hepburn (a penalty) and Ben Roffe.
And as the two sides tired after the break, Belvedere’s Paul Gargett netted the only goal of the second half as Croxdale held out for the three points.
“We were well up for it in the first half,” said their manager Craig Fish. “But everyone started to tire in the second half. The game slowed down and I think everyone was pleased to hear the final whistle – probably too much Christmas beer! But it was a good game and played in good spirit, and it was nice to start off the New Year with a win.”
Meanwhile, Victoria kept up their push on Croxdale at the top with a 3-1 home win over Masons United.
Striker Jason Greenland gave the Vic a 1-0, half-time lead as difficult conditions hampered both sides’ chances of scoring.
But he quickly netted his second after the break and, despite a Mark Owen goal for Masons, Greenland bagged his hat-trick to complete the win.
See the latest Game of the Week feature for action pictures and more details.
Elsewhere in Division Two, Green Tree won 7-0 at Ash Tree with goals by Barry Liddle (3), Matthew Carrick (2), Gavin McIntyre and Darren Dye.
Quinns won 12-0 at home to Horndale Celtic thanks to goals by Graham Maughan (3), Craig Parker (3), Dave Parker (2), Daniel Lennon (2), David Savage and Andrew Spence.
Atlantic Bar and the George and Dragon played out a 4-4 draw. Trevor Dixon (2), Mick Woolston and Graham Jamieson scored for Atlantic, with Gary George, Wayne Pratt, Rob Johnson and Shayne Wilson scoring George’s goals.
New Brancepeth won 2-1 at the Southerne Club, while the game between Half Moon and the North Briton was postponed.
In Division One, Tudhoe United re-started their campaign with a comfortable win over the Voltigeur.
Striker Billy McClacklan scored three for fourth-placed Tudhoe, while there was apiece for Paul Leadbitter, Allan Barrett and Christian Schofield.
“It’s a great start to the New Year,” said Tudhoe Secretary Tony Lennox. “We dominated the second half and went into half-time leading 3-1. Credit to them they battled and took their chances when they came along but I think it was always going to be fairly comfortable for us.” Chris Hodgson, Neil Petch and Chris Pennal scored Volti’s goals.
Elsewhere, Hunwick Joiners won 6-0 at Eldon Arms with goals by Stephen Howe (2), Shaun Brown, Ross Brown, Peter Lonsdale and James Melville.
Old Shildon beat Hogans 4-2 with goals by Paul Whensley, Martin Hedley, Phillip Appleby and John Poulter.
Thorns won 6-0 at home to Penny Gill with goals by Mark Nicholson (3), Ian Woodall, Andrew Richardson and Anthony Stewart.
Browney recorded only their second win of the season with a 2-1 victory at home to Binchester Social Club. Peter Boucher and Rob Barron scored the winning goals, with Lee Furber netting for Binny.
Masons Arms won 3-1 at the Lakeside with goals by Stephen Fothergill (2) and Ryan Murray. Marc De Lucia scored for Lakeside.
• The next league meeting will take place at the North Briton in Aycliffe Village on Wednesday 1st February 2006, from 8pm.
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