Football round-up
Darlington Sunday Morning Invitation League
IT was an excellent morning's work for Middleton Wanderers, who progressed to the last 32 of the Durham County FA’s Sunday Cup thanks to a 4-2 win at home to Langley Park.
Middleton had the strong wind at their backs during the first half and took the lead when man-of-the-match Dave Blake bundled the ball in from a corner.
The hosts continued to press and were 3-0 up at the break.
In the second half, Langley Park came back into the game, pulling a goal back, but Middleton then replied with a fourth to seal the win, despite a late second goal for the visitors.
Other scorers for Middleton were Jack Addison, Liam Bell and Liam Lapham.
Wear Valley Sunday League
GAINFORD Cross Keys followed up their victory at Toft Hill a week previously by claiming another three points.
Striker Alan Haycock – who was judged man-of-the-match – bagged a brace and there were also two goals for Ben Moore as Gainford ran out 4-2 winners against Newton Aycliffe Roundhouse.
The win was also Gainford’s first home victory in the league so far this season and lifts the team to mid table.
Elsewhere, things began well for Toft Hill Three Tuns, who took the lead against West Auckland Sports Bar through Chris Murphy.
Sadly, their opponents hit back with ten to consign Toft Hill to defeat. Other results:
Willington Black Horse 2, Leeholme WMC 6.
Sunday Cup third preliminary round: West Kyo Earl Grey 4, Coundon WMC 3. First round: Middlestone Moor 5, Easington Mechanics 3.
Crook and District League
ALL three dale sides in action last Saturday drew a blank.
Barnard Castle FC headed across to Stanhope SSC and lost out to the odd goal in five.
Sam Green was the hat-trick hero for the hosts while Phil Merryweather and Sam Hodgson notched Barney's goals.
The defeat means Barney are still in negative territory as far as points are concerned, having been penalised for not fulfilling a fixture earlier in the season.
Evenwood Town, meanwhile, lost out 3-0 at home to second placed Middlestone Moor.
Willington remain at the head of the first division thanks to a 5-1 win at home to Glaxo Rangers, with Jack Lee bagging the consolation.
Glaxo and Evenwood both face tricky looking away ties in the second round of the Durham Minor Cup this Saturday. Evenwood are at Durham AFC, while Glaxo travel to Gateshead to take on Whickham U23s. Barney have no game.
Ebac Northern League
Penrith........................ 1
West Auckland Town... 4
WEST headed over the border to take on their Cumbrian hosts in the pouring rain and howling wind.
Despite the difficult conditions, Jamie Armstrong gave West the lead on 26 minutes with an excellent shot that found the top right corner of the net.
Parity was restored thanks to an unfortunate own goal when Jamie Cobain steered in a cross past his keeper Sam Guthrie ten minutes before the break.
After the interval, West came out firing and top scorer Jordan Blinco retired the visitors’ lead on 47 minutes.
Blinco added his second and West’s third on 75 minutes and two minutes later the game was over when Anthony Bell scored with a shot from the edge of the 18 yard area.
The win kept West in second place of division one, three points behind Consett, who also have a game in hand.
West are next in action tonight (Friday, November 12) with a home game against Sunderland RCA. Kick-off is 7.30pm.
