| LAKESIDE OUT THE DROP ZONE
Jackson Anderson Accountants Spennymoor Sunday League
STRUGGLING Lakeside hauled themselves out of the relegation drop zone with a crucial 1-0 win at the Grand
Midfielder and skipper Andy Clay grabbed the all-important goal to give them the slender but valuable victory – only their second of the season.
And a delighted Director of Football Stuart Hodgson admitted: “There was a big sigh of relief at the final whistle!”
Lakeside started brightly and looked the better side early in the game, creating a few chances without causing any real problems.
But they did take the lead, from a wicked Wayne Marram corner, which skipper Andy Clay blasted into the back of the nest from two yards out.
This kicked Grand into gear, and they pushed hard for an equaliser, but Lakeside soaked up the second half pressure to hold out for the three points.
“I felt we were deserved winners,” added Hodgson. “They pressed us after we took the lead but we defended resolutely and even had chances to increase our lead late in the second half.
“We still didn’t play to our full potential so this win will hopefully enable us to improve on our season so far.”
Lakeside’s mini climb up the table was thanks to Salvins drawing 3-3 at Horndale, with Paul Jones (2) and James Tallentire scoring for Salvins. Neil Topping scored two for Horndale and Lee Foster one. Salvins have dropped into the dreaded bottom two following the result.
At the other end of the table, Thorns stretched their lead at the summit with a convincing and impressive 3-0 win at title-chasing rivals Old Shildon, with Mark Nicholson, Martin Longthorne and Ian Woodhall getting the goals.
Meanwhile, Masons Arms leapfrogged Hunwick Joiners on goal difference after they won 8-3 at Tudhoe United.
Hunwick were beaten 6-0 by West Social in the (external) Heart Foundation Cup.
In Division Two, Binchester Social Club maintained their top-of-the-table status with a 4-2 win at the North Briton.
The league’s top marksman, Christopher Pickles, boosted his goals tally even further with a hat-trick, while Lee Furber was also on the scoresheet.
Boss Steve Sutton said: “It was a good result for us. We didn’t actually play as well as we have been lately, but I think we were deserved winners in the end.”
Meanwhile, Ash Tree beat Atlantic Bar 3-2 with goals by Glynn Porter, Stewart Rand and Andrew Poulton. Manager Jeff Spooner said: “It was a bit of a scrappy game really, but we were surprised with Atlantic. They have improved a lot since we last played them earlier in the season, and they’ll no doubt be disappointed with the result.”
Elsewhere, Masons United and Croxdale played out a 3-3 draw. Paul Gibson, George Richardson and Chris Strong scored for United, with Steven English, Gavin Bell and Phillip Wilkinson scoring for Croxdale.
Green Tree beat Eldon Arms 5-0 with goals by Neil Redden, Andrew Walton, Paul Shaw, Darren Dye and Darren Johnson, while Victoria hammered Gainford 11-0.
• The league’s Christmas Prize Draw was drawn at the North Briton on Wednesday December 8.
The winning numbers were as follows:
1st prize: £150, No 2219 (Ash Tree); 2: £100, 0151 (Old Shildon); 3: £25, 0384 (Thorns); 4: £25, 1642 (Belvedere); 5: 4 Spirits, 2092 (Voltigeur); 6: 3 Spirits, 0480 (Hunwick); 7: 2 spirits, 1621 (Belvedere); 8: 2 spirits, 1248 (Grand); 9: 2 Spirit, 0367 (Thorns); 10: 1 Spirit, 2095 (Voltigeur); 11: 1 Spirit, 1706 (Cumby Arms); 12: 1 Spirit, 1574 (Belvedere); 13: 1 Spirit, 2238 (Ash Tree); 14: 1 Spirit, 0164 (Old Shildon); 15: 1 Spirit, 1791 (Masons Utd); 16: 1 Spirit, 1998 (Binchester Social Club); 17: 1 Spirit, 1431 (Green Tree); 18: 1 Spirit, 0312 (Thorns); 19: 1 Spirit, 2265 (Binchester SC); 20: 1 Spirit, 1402 (Green Tree).
• The next league meeting will take place at Horndale WMC, Newton Aycliffe, on Wednesday 5th January, 2005, from 8pm.
TOP GOALSCORERS
DIVISION ONE
Billy McClacklen (Tudgoe Utd) 24
James Melville (Hunwick) 18
Kevin Dodds (Masons Arms) 16
Dale Phillips (Browney) 15
Tony Stebbings (Old Shildon) 15
Allan Barratt (Tudhoe Utd) 15
Andrew Richardson (Thorns) 14
Shaun Nicholson (Hunwick) 10
Marc De Lucia (Lakeside) 10
Paul Whensley (Old Shildon) 10
Martin Longthorne (Thorns) 10
DIVISION TWO
Christopher Pickles (Binchester SC) 25
Phil Wilkinson (Croxdale) 20
Lee Nixon (Belvedere( 19
Jamie Scaife (Shildon Athletic) 19
Adrian Brown (Belvedere) 17
Andrew Sams (Eldon Arms) 17
James Smith (Victoria) 16
Darren Dye (Green Tree) 15
Adam Cunningham (Victoria) 15
Steven Walton (Ash Tree) 14
Lee Furber (Binchester SC) 14
Jason Greenland (Victoria) 13
(Up to & inc. 5/12/04)
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