Belvedere claim shock cup win
Jackson Anderson Accountants Spennymoor Sunday League
BELVEDERE progressed to the semi-finals of the Kelvin McIntosh Division Two Cup with a surprise win over favourites Croxdale.
Heavy rain put paid to no less than six game last weekend – although seven still went ahead despite the torturous winter conditions.
And Belvedere took advantage of the bad weather when their gritty performance out-fought promotion hopefuls Croxdale.
Gavin Bell did put the strong favourites into a 2-0 half-time lead, but Belvedere rolled their sleeves up and dragged the game level with two second-half goals by Andrew Short.
Then Lee Nixon grabbed the crucial, deciding extra-time winner, and delighted boss Karl Thompson said: “We showed great fighting spirit. We went two goals down and just got stuck in and battled it out, and I think we seemed to want it more.
“When we pulled it back level that gave us some confidence and I think it was our battling qualities that decided us in the end.”
Green Tree joined Belvedere in the semis after they drew 3-3 with Shildon Athletic after extra-time, but won 4-1 on penalties. Andrew Appleton, Darren Dye and Gavin McIntyre scored Green Tree’s goals, with Jamie Scaife (2) and Wayne Stout netting for Shildon.
Meanwhile, the games between Horndale Celtic and North Briton and Quinns and Victoria were postponed.
Thorns are now in the semi-finals of the Division One Cup after their 7-1 quarter-final win over Browney last week.
Ian Woodhall (3), Andrew Richardson (2), Chris Harman and Stuart Rand were on target for Thorns, with Robert Baron getting Browney’s only goal.
Masons Arms joined Thorns with a 2-0 win over Binchester Social Club – Michael Barrass and Mark Costello scoring for them – while the games between Voltigeur and Lakeside and Old Shildon and Hunwick Joiners also fell foul of the weather.
Meanwhile, in league action last week, the Southerne Club claimed their second win of the season last week in their Division Two basement battle with Darlington side Atlantic Bar.
The Newton Aycliffe club bagged their first league victory over struggling Atlantic two weeks ago.
And they made it a double last week with four first-half goals in what was a scrappy game – although still didn’t climb off the bottom of the second division. See the latest Game of the Week feature.
Ash Tree claimed their fourth league win of the season with a 5-3 win at home to Half Moon.
Steven Walton netted a hat-trick and there was one apiece from Glynn Porter and Richard Turner. Studious gaffer Jeffrey Spooner beamed: “I thought we put in our best performance of the season. We played very well and took our chances. Hopefully we can now take the last two wins on and achieve our top six target.”
Elsewhere, Masons United won 3-2 at home to George & Dragon with goals by Chris Larkman (2) and Gavin Alderson. Trevor Hewison and Gary Temple scored George’s goals.
The only scheduled Division One games last week – Eldon Arms v Penny Gill and Bay Horse v Hogans – were both postponed.
• The league will require the numbers of tickets from clubs for the Christmas Party night at the next league meeting on Wednesday 7th December.
They’re holding a Christmas Party Night at the Southerne Club in Newton Aycliffe on Friday 9th December.
A Pie & Peas supper will be available and entertainment will be provided by top local band The Zoo, while the league’s annual Christmas Prize Draw will also be made.
Tickets costing just £3 are available to league members – while any remaining tickets will be distributed evenly between remaining clubs, so numbers are required asap on or before the next league meeting at the Southerne Club on Wednesday 7th December.
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