Bay Horse make up for defeats
Jackson Anderson Accountants Spennymoor Sunday League
BAY HORSE made up for their indifferent recent form when they bounced back with a league win over Voltigeur.
The Horse were dumped out of the League Cup by Division Two side Belvedere a week after a 5-1 league defeat by title-chasing Hunwick Joiners.
But they got their own championship assault back on track with a 4-1 home win over the Voltigeur last week.
John Hughes opened the scoring before Gareth Elkin doubled the Horse’s lead before half-time. Anthony Watson made it 3-0, then Chris Pennall pulled one back for the Volti before Darren Scott wrapped it up with the fourth.
Relieved manager Adrian Musgrave said: “We’ve suffered a couple of defeats lately while we’d been playing quite well, but everything come together against Voltigeur. It’s the first time in a few weeks where we’ve played well and actually got the result we’ve deserved, so I was really pleased with the result and the performance.”
Meanwhile, Thorns maintained their lead at the top, but were made to work for it by an in-form Lakeside team. Thorns eventually ran out 6-4 winners after Lakeside had taken a 3-2 lead in the game.
Ian Woodhall (3), Andrew Richardson (2) and Steve Richardson scored for the winners. Wayne Marram scored three of Lakeside’s goals, while Marc De Lucia scored the other.
Steve Richardson said: “I thought it was a very close game, especially in the first half, and they made us work for it, but it was a good game.”
Lakeside manager Stuart Hodgson said: “We played some really good football and I thought we deserved something from the game. But credit were credit is due, Thorns buckled down and put their half chances away were as we didn't.”
Elsewhere in Division One, Binchester Social Club’s continued Old Shikldon’s uncharacteristic start to the campaign by beating them 3-0, John Wheatley, Lee Furber and an own goal on the scoresheet there.
Peter Carr and David Leary were on target for Eldon Arms as they drew 2-2 with Hogans, with Jonathan Slack and Michael Hudson scoring their goals.
Tudhoe United won 3-1 at Penny Gill thanks to a Billy McClacklan hat-trick. Scott Haggarty scored Gill’s goal.
In Division Two, Shildon Athletic found their form with a spirited win at Belvedere - see Game of the Week feature.
Elsewhere, North Briton were 7-2 winners over neighbours the George and Dragon with goals by Chris Airey (2), Thomas Chandler (2), Phil Judge (2) and Tim Leadbitter. Gary George and Wayne Pratt scored for the George.
Croxdale won 4-1 at home to New Brancepeth thanks to a Gavin Bell trick, Iain Ambrosini netting the other and Michael Gibbons scoring for Brancepeth.
Leaders Victoria were 3-1 winners at Ash Tree with goals by James Smith (2) and Adam Cunningham. Lee Gobin scored for the Tree.
Second-placed Half Moon were narrow, 2-1 winners over promotion rivals and third-placed Quinns with goals by Philippe Cortesse and Richie Smith. John-Paul Tallentire scored for the Quinns.
Green Tree won 7-1 at home to Horndale Celtic with goals by Darren Dye (3), Matthew Carrick (3) and Gavin McIntyre. James Scott scored for Horndale.
Finally, the Southerne Club were 8-1 winners at struggling Atlantic Bar.
• The league is holding 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 at the next meeting on Wednesday 2nd November at Belvedere WMC, when the league will also be requesting numbers of tickets.
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