OLD SHILDON DROP POINTS
Jackson Anderson Accountants Spennymoor Sunday League
CHAMPIONSHIP favourites Old Shildon dramatically dropped two points as mid-table Beehive claimed a shock draw.
Despite Old Shildon taking a first half lead, prolific striker Kenny Melville equalised for Beehive.
Mark Pattison then put the underdogs 2-1 up before Shildon raced into a 4-2 lead after half-time.
However, Jeff Alderson pulled a goal back, then Melville grabbed his second of game with just five minutes remaining to bag an impressive point.
“We thought it was a fair result,” said Beehive boss Mike Hill. “Although I’m sure they’ll be disappointed. They played very well, but I thought we matched them and it was a good game of football. We obviously play well against the top sides and not so well against the rest of the league, because we drew with Loves earlier in the season as well!”
Last weekend’s downpour put paid to several fixtures, and there was just two other top flight games.
Loves maintained their pressure on Shildon with a 5-2 win over Horndale, Jay Wilson netting a hat-trick. Gary Hindmarsh and Paul Young were also on target for Loves.
Browney recorded a narrow, 1-0 win over Binchester Social Club thanks to an Andy Clennel goal.
Only one game was the victim of the weather for the Division Two programme.
And Grand boosted their promotion hopes with a 6-3 win at Eldon Arms.
Strikers Mark Priestly and Mark Cowley both netted hat-tricks to claim the victory.
Boss Shaun Reynolds said: “I think the scoreline flattered us a bit. We deserved to win, but it was a close game and perhaps didn’t deserve to win by three clear goals. We were crusing at 5-1, and they pulled it back to 5-3, then put us under a lot of pressure, but the sixth goal killed them off. It was a good win for us.”
Meanwhile, league-toppers Hunwick Joiners maintained pole position with a 5-1 win at Boot & Shoe.
Ian Richardson (2), Shaun Nicholson (2) and Ian Wise ensured their victory.
“We could have scored more,” said Secretary Aidan McCabe. “But the conditions made it difficult and it was a hard game so we’re pleased with the win.”
Elsewhere, Belvedere and Voltigeur drew 2-2. Phil Price and Lee Nixon scored for Belvedere, Tony Craddock and Craig Warburton for Volti.
Cumby Arms won 3-1 at Shildon Athletic thanks to goals by Michael Hestletine, Tim Leadbitter and Jonathan Hall. Darren Dodds scored for Athletic.
RESULTS ROUND-UP
Sunday December 21
Division One: Loves 5, Horndale 2; Beehive 4, Old Shildon 4; Browney 1, Binchester SC 0.
Division Two: Eldon Arms 3, Grand 6; Belvedere 2, Voltigeur 2; Victoria 5, Middlestone Moor 2; Shildon Athletic 1, Cumby Arms 3; Boot & Shoe 1, Hunwick Joiners 5.
FIXTURES
Sunday December 28
Division One: Loves v Salvins, Beehive v Green Tree, Browney v Horndale, Tudhoe Utd v Postchaise, Newton Aycliffe v Binchester SC.
Division Two: Victoria v Grand, Belvedere v Shildon Athletic, North Briton v Boot & Shoe, Masons Arms v Voltigeur, Cumby Arms v Middlestone Moor.
Division Two Cup QF: Hunwick v Masons Utd.
Division One Top Scorers
Ian Maddison (Old Shildon) 22
Billy McClacklan (Tudhoe Utd) 20
Kenny Melvin (Beehive) 19
Dave Muir (Newton Aycliffe) 18
Marc De Lucia (Marc De Lucia) 16
Wayne Pratt (Horndale) 15
Thomas Louden (Old Shildon) 15
Peter Boucher (Browney) 13
Gary Hindmarch (Loves) 13
Mark Pattinson (Beehive) 12
Brent Mailer (Loves) 12
Paul Thompson (Postchaise) 12
Division Two Top Scorers
Stephen Howe (Hunwick) 23
Adrian Gough (North Briton) 16
Gary Dixon (Masons Arms) 13
Peter Kerr (Masons Arms) 11
Lee Nixon (Belvedere) 10
Jonathan Hall (Cumby Arms) 9
Russell Cant (Cumby Arms) 9
Mark Cowley (Grand) 9
Lee Genner (Hunwick) 9
Steven Fothergill (Masons Arms) 9
David Leary (Middlestone Moor) 9
(up to & inc. 14.12.03.) | 
