THORNS BACK ON TOP
Jackson Anderson Accountants Spennymoor Sunday League
THORNS resumed pole position in Division One with a 6-1 win over Tudhoe United.
With Masons Arms playing in the League Cup, this only top flight game last week gave the champions a chance to re-take top spot.
And it looked promising for them when Andrew Richardson put them 1-0 up before the break. Allan Barratt then equalized for Tudhoe just before half-time, but a second half hat-trick by Richardson and two from Ian Woodall completed the victory.
Thorns boss Dave McWaters said: “It was a good, close game. They gave us a good run for our money and proved they’re a threat when they equalized before half-time, but we played well in the second half and were deserved winners in the end, although it was a good hard-fought match.”
Meanwhile, Hunwick Joiners progressed to the quarter-finals of the League Cup with a 8-2 win over Division Two side North Briton.
James Melville (3), Ross Brown (2), Darren Wilson, Sean Nicholson and Ian Wise were all on the scoresheet.
And winning Secretary Aidan McCabe said: “We started off a little slow and they caught us on the break and scored. But then that kicked us into gear and we controlled the game after that and it was a comfortable win in the end.”
Masons Arms also made it to the last eight with a 2-0 win at Eldon Arms, Steven Fothergill and Craig Warburton getting the goals.
Croxdale also won 2-0, at Green Tree, thanks to goals by James Richardson and Phil Wilkinson.
The quarter-finals of the League Cup now consist of: Hunwick v Croxdale, Voltigeur v Binchester SC, Tudhoe Utd v Shildon Athletic, Belvedere v Masons Arms.
In the B&A Trophy last week, Salvins joined the quarter-final stage after beating Browney 3-1 with goals by Paul Jones (2) and Clive Underwood. Old Shildon were also round two winners with a 2-0 win at Grand.
The round one match between Binchester Social Club and Voltigeur was postponed.
The quarter-finals of the B&A Trophy now consist of: Shildon Athletic v Old Shildon, Hunwick v Salvins, Binchester SC/Voltigeur/Tudhoe Utd v Horndale, Croxdale v Thorns.
In Division Two, Gainford won only their second league game of the season with a 2-1 win over Cumby Arms.
Cumby took a first half lead through Russell Cant, but goals by Phil Hutchinson and Nat Quinn either side of the break meant they ran out winners.
Secretary Chris Kingsley said: “I thought it was an excellent game to watch and we’re delighted with the three points. Hopefully we can now use the result and build on it over the forthcoming league games and climb up the table.”
Elsewhere, Masons United were 2-1 winners over Atlantic Bar with goals by Gavin and Steven Alderson. Matty Robinson scored for Atlantic.
Victoria won 4-3 over Shildon Athletic with goals by John Temple (2), Adam Cunningham and James Smith. Jamie Scaife, Ross Brown and Christopher Ross scored for Athletic.
Belvedere, meanwhile, continued their promotion push with a 5-4 win at Ash Tree. Lee Nixon scored two, Brendan Mullen netted one and Karl Thompson continued his freescoring form with another brace, that’s four for the season.
• The next league meeting will take place at Binchester Social Club, Bishop Auckland, on Wednesday 2nd February, 2005, from 8pm.
TOP GOALSCORERS
DIVISION ONE
Billy McClacklan (Tudhoe Utd) 24
Kevin Dodds (Masons Arms) 22
James Melville (Hunwick) 20
Allan Barratt (Tudhoe Utd) 17
Dale Phillips (Browney) 15
Tony Stebbings (Old Shildon) 15
Andrew Richardson (Thorns) 14
Shaun Nicholson (Hunwick) 11
Marc De Lucia (Lakeside) 11
Martin Longthorne (Thorns) 11
DIVISION TWO
Christopher Pickles (Binchester SC) 28
Phil Wilkinson (Croxdale) 24
Lee Nixon (Belvedere) 22
Andrew Sams (Eldon Arms) 20
Darren Dye (Green Tree) 20
Jamie Scaife (Shildon Athletic) 19
Adrian Brown (Belvedere) 17
Lee Furber (Binchester SC) 16
James Smith (Victoria) 16
Adam Cunningham (Victoria) 15
(Up to & inc. 2/1/05)
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