MASONS SNATCH DRAMATIC WIN
Jackson Anderson Accountants Spennymoor Sunday League
TITLE-CHASING Masons Arms dramatically clawed a 2-1 deficit back to a 4-2 victory in the last 10 minutes against Horndale.
Masons had taken a half-time lead through John Savage, only for Tony Stebbings to equalise after the break.
Stebings then grabbed another after half-time, and Horndale led for the remainder of the second half, until Tom Fothergill grabbed two quick-fire goals to edge Masons ahead. Kevin Dodds then completed the impressive comeback.
“We were a bit lucky to get away with it,” admitted Masons Secretary John Booth. “They were leading for most of the second half and weren’t really at the races until that last 10 minutes. We’ve somehow managed to grab three goals and held on for the win, they’d consider themselves unlucky.”
Horndale Secretary Mickey Grimes added: “It was disappointing because I think we controlled the game for most of it, but we’ve gone to sleep expecting to win it and allowed them back into the game.”
Meanwhile, Browney won 7-1 at home to Voltigeur thanks to goals by Dale Phillips (4), Peter Boucher (2) and Steven Wallace.
Terry Collins said: “It was a good result and we’re starting to play some nice stuff now. It was a fairly comfortable win, but it will hopefully give us a boost for Thorns this Sunday.”
Meanwhile, Thorns sought their revenge over Tudhoe United after their Division One Cup knockout a fortnight ago with a 5-1 league victory. Anthony Stewart (2), Martin Longthorne, Andrew Richardson and Mark Nicholson were on the scoresheet for Thorns.
Old Shildon and Postchaise drew 0-0.
In Division Two, Gainford appear to have got to grips with their new league after starting the season disappointingly. They won their second game of the season with a 3-2 victory over promotion-chasing Belvedere.
Lee Sumpton, Ali Logan and Dave Vayro scored to gift them the win, and Secretary Steven van Leer was delighted with his side’s performance.
“They’re a young set of lads but are starting to gel together nicely now,” he said. “Our start to the season was tough but they’re starting to settle down well. This was an excellent result for us – our goalkeeper has had to make some great saves to keep us in the game, but we’ve held on and hopefully we can take it forward again.” Adrian Brown and Lee Nixon scored Belvedere’s goals.
Elsewhere in Division Two, North Briton won 4-3 at home to Victoria with goals by Mark Hodges (2), Gary Donald and Brian Burniston.
Secretary Phil Judge said: “It’s a good result for us against a good footballing side. It was a good close game throughout, although I think we started to dominate the second half. But we missed chance after chance, and luckily managed to hold on for the win.” John Templeton scored two goals for the Vic, with Marc Nelson getting the other.
Shildon Athletic won 3-2 at Masons United thanks to another hat-trick by the freescoring Jamie Scaife. Chris Strong scored both goals for Masons.
• Clubs are reminded that they MUST take their allocation of raffle tickets for the Christmas Prize Draw at the next meeting.
The league’s prize draw, to be held in December, has always been its biggest fundraising event of the year, and all clubs’ continued support would be appreciated.
The next league meeting will take place at Old Shildon WMC in Shildon on Wednesday 3rd November, when all clubs must take a minimum allocation of £50-worth of tickets.
Clubs are more than welcome to take as many tickets as they like.
As usual, clubs will take 50% of sales from the tickets.
TOP GOALSCORERS
DIVISION ONE
Shaun Nicholson (Hunwick) 9
Marc De Lucia (Lakeside) 9
Andrew Richardson (Thorns) 9
Billy McClacklin (Tudhoe Utd) 8
Tony Stebbings (Horndale) 7
Paul Bailes (Hunwick) 7
Dale Phillips (Browney) 6
Justin Fox (Masons Arms) 6
Paul Latchman (Old Shildon) 6
DIVISION TWO
Christopher Pickles (Binchester SC) 16
Adrian Brown (Belvedere) 13
Andrew Sams (Eldon Arms) 13
Lee Nixon (Belvedere) 10
Jamie Scaife (Shildon Athletic) 10
Adam Cunningham (Victoria) 10
James Smith (Victoria) 10
Steven Walton (Ash Tree) 8
Phil Wilkinson (Croxdale) 7
Trevor Dixon (Atlantic Bar) 6
Darren Dye (Green Tree) 6
Adam Potter (Shildon Athletic) 6
Jason Greenland (Victoria) 6
(Up to & inc. 26/9/04)
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