THORNS BACK IN TITLE RACE
Jackson Anderson Accountants Spennymoor Sunday League
CHAMPIONS Thorns hauled themselves back into the championship race with a crucial win over rivals Old Shildon.
Thorns had dropped points and drifted away from the title race as Hunwick Joiners and Masons Arms lead the way.
But they beat Masons a fortnight ago, and pulled it further back with a vital 2-1 win over Old Shildon, Martin Longthorne bagging a goal either side of half-time and Paul Latchford scoring for Old Shildon’s ten minutes from time.
Thorns boss Dave McWaters said: “I think it was a fair result. We were two goals up for a while and didn’t really look like conceding, but they pulled one back with ten minutes to go so we were a little nervous after that. We had to win our last two games – against Masons and Shildon – otherwise I think we could have forgotten about another championship, but thankfully we won the games and it opens it up a little.”
Elsewhere, Masons Arms won 4-0 at Postchaise with goals by Tom Fothergill (2), Justin Fox and Gavin Greenwood.
The Grand won 4-2 at Voltigeur with goals by Scott Wright (3) and Sean Hunter. Dean Mains and Phil Curry scored for the Volti.
Horndale won 2-1 at home to neighbours Lakeside. Horndale took the lead through Dale Anderson before Rob Chambers equalised. Carl Hodgson grabbed the winner.
Hunwick had no game, while the match between Salvins and Browney was postponed.
In Division Two, Belvedere overcame their recent league blip with a 6-4 win over Eldon Arms.
Adrian Brown scored a hat-trick, while John-Paul Greaves (2) and Lee Nixon scored for the winners, with boss Karl Thompson saying: “It was a very close game. It was 1-1 at half-time and then it opened up in the second half, with us hitting the crossbar twice. We managed to get a two-goal lead and held on, but it was nip-and-tuck throughout.” Tony Iveson (2), John Sweeney and an own goal were on the scoresheet for Eldon.
Meanwhile, Shildon Athletic won 7-1 at home to Middlestone Moor with goals by Jamie Scaife (3), Paul Gargett, Adam Potter, Ross Brown and Richard Thompson. Sean Heaviside scored for Shildon.
Elsewhere, Binchester Social Club won 6-0 at home to Cumby Arms thanks to five goals by Christopher Pickles ane one by Gavin Dunnett.
Croxdale won 11-2 at Victoria with goals by Phillip Wilkinson (5), Graham Carling (2), James Richardson (2), Chris Carling and an OG.
Finally, Green Tree progressed to the second round of the Division Two Cup with a 7-0 win at Atlantic Bar.
TOP GOALSCORERS
DIVISION ONE
Andrew Richardson (Thorns) 9
Billy McClacklin (Tudhoe Utd) 8
Marc De Lucia (Lakeside) 7
Tony Stebbings (Horndale) 7
Shaun Nicholson (Hunwick) 6
Dale Phillips (Browney) 5
Paul Bailes (Hunwick) 5
Kenny Melvin (Loves) 5
Kevin Dodds (Masons Arms) 5
Paul Latchman (Old Shildon) 5
Paul Thompson (Postchaise) 5
Paul Bailes (Hunwick) 5
DIVISION TWO
Christopher Pickles (Binchester SC) 11
Lee Nixon (Belvedere) 9
Andrew Sams (Eldon Arms) 12
Adam Cunningham (Victoria) 8
James Smith (Victoria) 8
Adrian Brown (Belvedere) 7
Jason Greenland (Victoria) 6
Guy Starling (Croxdale) 6
Darren Dye (Green Tree) 6
Jordan Bulmer (Middlestone Moor) 5
Adam Potter (Shildon Athletic) 5
Steven Walton (Ash Tree) 5
Lee Furber (Binchester SC) 5
Nat Quinn (Gainford) 5
Adam Potter (Shildon Athletic) 5
(Up to & inc. 12/9/04)
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