Southerne go through to next round
Jackson Anderson Accountants Spennymoor Sunday League
SOUTHERNE CLUB progressed to the second round of the B&A Trophy with
a 4-3 win at Masons United.
The Division Two strugglers, who are rooted to the bottom of the league after six straight defeats, recorded their first victory of the campaign, Sunderland-style, over mid-table Masons United.
Alan Stewart (2), Paul Downs and Gordon Nicholson grabbed their all-important goals to clinch the win, and manager Brian Redpath was understandably delighted.
“The lads were absolutely chuffed to bits!” he said. “We went a goal down but we stuck at it and I think we played some really good football. We’ve been playing quite well recently and threatening to get a result, so it would have been nice to get a league win, but we’re just pleased with any win. We can only go upwards from here!”
Meanwhile, Hunwick Joiners lost their grip on the B&A Trophy when they were beaten by Division Two side Spennymoor Quinns in the first round of the competition.
Promotion-chasers Quinns surprised last year’s league runners-up and B&A Trophy winners by racing into a two-goal half-time lead.
It took them 20 minutes to break the deadlock after a tense opening, veteran striker Stephen Jackson opened the scoring for Quinns.
The 40-year-old front man, deputising for the prolific John-Paul Tallentire, then doubled his side’s lead when he scored from the spot.
Stephen Quinn then virtually wrapped the game up with Quinns’ third goal after the break and, despite a Martin Holt goal for Hunwick with 15 minutes remaining, it wasn’t enough for the title-chasers.
“It was a very tight opening 20 minutes,” said Quinns gaffer Keith Brain. “We went at them from the start and I think we surprised them a little. But once we took the lead I felt we started to control the game and looked comfortable. I think both teams had a few key players missing, but we’re delighted with the result.”
Elsewhere in the B&A Trophy last week, Browney were 2-1 winners at Old Shildon with a brace by Robert Barron. Paul Whensley scored Shildon’s goal.
Hogans were 2-0 winners over Eldon Lane thanks to goals by Simon Marshall and Kevin Priestly, while Masons Arms beat the North Briton 7-1 with goals by Tom Fothergill (2), Michael Barrass (2), Steven Fothergill, John Nicholson and Mark Costello.
Victoria beat Half Moon 6-2 with goals by Jason Greenland (3), James Smith (2) and Marc Nelson. Richard Smith and Chris Kavanagh were on target for the Moon.
Belvedere knocked Green Tree out with a 4-3 score. Lee Nixon (3) and Timmy Hutchinson scored for the Belvedere, Matthew Carrick got all three for the Tree.
Bay Horse were 2-1 winners at Thorns thanks to strikes from Dale Anderson and Wayne Pratt, with Paul Whensley scoring for Shildon.
Binchester Social Club won 7-2 over Horndale Celtic with goals by John Wheatley (4), Chris Pickles (2) and Lee Kirkbride. Paul Hughes scored both goals for Horndale.
It took Ash Tree extra-time and penalties to beat New Brancepeth after the two sides drew 0-0 after 120 minutes. The Tree won the shoot-out 4-3.
Finally, Lakeside were 4-3 winners over Shildon Athletic with goals by James Miller (2), Andy Clay and Chris Frater
The game between Croxdale and Tudhoe United was postponed.
• All clubs will be given their annual quota of raffle tickets to sell for this year’s Christmas Prize Draw at the next league meeting next week.
The league will again ask all clubs to sell a minimum of £50-worth of tickets, with the club taking a 50% commission of sales.
But clubs will also be able to take additional tickets when they are dished out at the next meeting on Wednesday 5th October, which will be held at the Voltigeur in Spennymoor (from 8pm).
• The league have announced they will hold a Christmas Party at the Southerne Club in Newton Aycliffe on Friday 9th December.
A Pie & Peas supper will be available and entertainment will be provided by top local band The Zoo, while the league’s annual Christmas Prize Draw will also be made.
Tickets costing just £3 will be available to league members from the November meeting on Wednesday 2nd November. Clubs will be asked for an allocation of tickets at next Wednesday’s October meeting.
| 
