Clean sheet for struggling Southerne
Division Three round-up

SOUTHERNE Club kept a clean sheet to record their third league win of the season against their local rivals.

Just one goal – scored early in the second half by Scott Hudson – was enough for Southerne, who’d conceded 49 goals in 10 games, to put one over neighbours the Navy Club.

And boss Brian Redpath admitted: “It was more pleasing to keep a clean sheet, that was more important than scoring at the other end. It was slightly disappointing in the fact that we created a lot of chances yet again and didn’t put them away, which has been the story of our season so far. But we’ve not conceded and so it’s great to get three points.”

Meanwhile, Aycliffe Village gained yet further ground on their promotion rivals Fox and Hounds with their second win over them in the space of four weeks.

Two early goals – both headers by Darren Griffiths and Garry Donald – put Aycliffe in front, although the Fox pressured for the rest of the first half, without managing to make a breakthrough.

They were also out the blocks for the start of the second half, but a penalty – converted by Griffiths for his second of the game – eased the pressure for Aycliffe, and Shaun Sproates’ superb individual goal made sure of maximum points, despite Griffiths’ howling spot-kick miss to forgo a career-first hat-trick.

“Overall it was a good team performance,” said Aycliffe boss Steve Moran. “We’re getting stronger and the younger members of the team are starting to adapt to senior football. The standard of the third division is very high, which has been confirmed in some recent cup upsets, so I’m delighted to have beaten a very good Fox and Hounds team.”

Fox’s defeat allowed Shildon Fox and Hounds to go back to the top of Division Three – they won 2-0 at Bishop Masons thanks to goals by Michael Boddy (penalty) and Michael Roberts.

 
13th November 2006