Fox and Hounds still hopeful
Division Three round-up

FOX AND HOUNDS are still hopeful of promotion to Division Two after a good win at home to the Southerne Club.

The Merrington side – who followed that up with a 1-1 draw at home to Castle in the divisional cup on Tuesday night – need to win their last two games against Bishop Masons and Shildon Fox to have any chance of finishing inside the top two.

However, manager Stuart Rand is also hoping for a slight re-structure this summer, which may result in his side gaining promotion afterall.

“It’s looking more likely that Shildon Fox and Aycliffe Village will occupy the top two spots,” said Rand, who watched his side record a 5-0 win at home to the Southerne with goals by Glyn Porter (2), Peter Burn (2) and Neil Foster.

“We’ve just got to try to win our remaining games and hope points are also dropped elsewhere. But we’re hopeful the league may look to re-structure again in pre-season, so we may gain promotion anyway.”

Meanwhile, Aycliffe Village went top of the table with a 9-2 win at home to Masons United, although Shildon Fox now have a game in hand.

Wayne Marram (2), Shaun Sproates (2), Darren Griffiths, Dave Fawcett, Kieran Megran and Marc Addy were all on target for Aycliffe, while Chris Walker also netted his first goal in 23 years since coming out of retirement this season. Chris Larkman scored both Masons goals.

Castle won 6-0 at home to the Navy Club with goals by John Cunningham (2), Mark Thompson, Paul McMaster, Ben Copper and Kev McMullen.

Kenny Melvin was on target twice for Bishop Masons as they drew 2-2 with Horndale Celtic, who had Trevor Dixon and Shaun Grant on the scoresheet.

Meanwhile, New Brancepeth completed their Group B win in the Kelvin McIntosh Division Two Cup with a 7-1 win at home to Shildon Athletic, thanks to goals by Craig Hindmarch (3), Carl Wilkinson (2), Phil Wilkinson and Anthony Holiday. Jamie Rabidd scored Shildon’s only goal.

• Division One side Quinns progressed to the Heart Foundation Cup Final with a 3-1 win at Glaxo in the semi-finals, thanks to goals by Craig Warburton, Craig Parker and Chris Hodgson. They are due to play either West Auckland WMC or Coundon Conns (who are due to contest the other semi-final tie this weekend) in the final at West Auckland, date to be confirmed.


28th March 2007