HAPPY HUNWICK THROUGH TO FINAL
Jackson Anderson Accountants Spennymoor Sunday League
HAPPY Hunwick Joiners were delighted to reach the B&A Trophy Final with a slender 1-0 win over Binchester Social Club in the semi-finals.
James Melville scored the crucial, deciding goal to set-up a thrilling final with Thorns after they beat Old Shildon 5-0 in the other semi.
It’s one of four fronts on which Division One title-chasing Hunwick are now bidding for silverware.
And Secretary Aidan McCabe thought his side did just enough to deserve their final.
“I thought we just edged it,” he said. “We knew Binchester would give us something to think about. They’ve been in the first division and they’re near the top of the second division looking for promotion. But we defended very well and created more chances – thankfully scoring one of them – so I think it was just enough.”
Hunwick are due to face Croxdale in the quarter-finals of the League Cup and Old Shildon in the semi-finals of the divisional cup, while they are also fourth in the league with games in hand.
Thorns crushed Old Shildon 5-0 with goals by Ian Woodhal (4) and Mark Nicholson in the other semi-final.
North Briton came from two goals down to claim their eighth league victory of the season with a 4-2 win at Atlantic Bar in Division Two last Sunday.
Atlantic were leading 2-0 at half-time, but a spirited Brit recovery earned them maximum points.
Winger Phil Judge was the second-half, hat-trick hero, with Mark Hodges also chipping in with one, and Judge said: “They played very well in the first half and we came out and did well in the second half. I was impressed with them, but our first goal – a penalty – hit them and their heads seemed to go down. I just hope we can take the momentum from this result into Sunday’s match at the Belvedere.”
Elsewhere, Shildon Athletic won 5-3 at Cumby Arms with goals by Jamie Scaife (3), Ross Brown and Richard Thompson. Phillip Appleby (2) and Gary George scored Cumby’s goals.
Eldon Arms were 2-1 winners at home to Victoria – Andrew Sams and Michael Walker scoring Eldon’s goals and James Smith the Vic’s.
Croxdale were 3-2 winners at Green Tree thanks to goals by James Richardson (2) and Steven Kiching. Darren Dye scored both goals for the Tree.
Masons United won 2-0 at Ash Tree with goals by Steven Newbury and Chris Larkman.
In Division One last week, Horndale were 3-2 winners over Browney with goals by Dale Anderson, Tony Stebbings and Lee Foster, while Kevin Dodds was on target twice for Masons Arms as they beat Grand 2-1, Scott Wright getting the Grand goal.
• Clubs are being reminded that donations for the league’s Kelvin McIntosh collection must be made at the next league meeting, which will take place at Croxdale WMC on Wednesday 6th April, from 8pm. All trophies won last season must also be returned.
• The league’s end-of-season presentation night will be held at Old Shildon WMC on Friday 27th May, 2005.
Trophy-awarding will be followed by singing group Koncept, and clubs will be required to purchase tickets. More details to follow.
| 
