Crook and District Football League
BOWES FC exited the Norman Wright Trophy on Saturday after Cockerton Club edged the tie 2-1.
The game came down to two penalties – one converted and one missed.
All looked to be on track when Sam Hodgson popped up from the back to give Bowes the lead.
However, Cockerton equalised in controversial fashion when the ref pointed to the spot for a penalty after what looked like a perfectly good challenge by Bowes keeper Richard Borrowdale, who had minutes earlier pulled off a point blank save to keep the visitors at bay.
Despite the protests, Lee Gibbon stepped up and struck an excellent spot kick to level the scores, sending Borrowdale the wrong way.
It was then nip-and-tuck as both sides attempted to grab a winner.
Bowes created a couple of good opportunities, but the best came when the ref blew for another penalty after a Cockerton infringement – and on this occasion there was little argument.
Up stepped Josh Bousfield, but unfortunately, he scooped his kick over the bar.
With time running out and a penalty shoot-out on the cards, Cockerton scrambled in a later winner thanks to Joe Peel.
In the Weardale Cup, Willington WMC won through to the semi-final after their game against Evenwood Town went to penalties.
Ashley Murphy gave Evenwood the lead, but this was cancelled out ten minutes before time when Simon Taylor popped up to score for Willington. The Weardale team then went on to take the shoot-out 3-1.
Evenwood Town and Bowes are due to meet this Saturday at the Randolph Social Welfare Ground in the second round of the Alan Britton Memorial Cup.
Glaxo Rangers are back in action when they welcome Cockerton Club to Manor Farm for a league match.
Games kick off at 1.30pm.
Wear Valley Sunday League
IT was a blank weekend with none of the dale's sides in action on Sunday.
Other results:
Division 2: Spennymoor Ash Tree 1, Bay Horse Blues 4; Coundon Three Tuns 1, Shildon Elm Road 6; North Bitchburn Red Lion 1, Wearhead 1.
Heart Foundation Cup first round: Sherburn WMC 5, NA Gretna 0; Bowburn 2, Middlestone Moor Mason's Arms 4; Witton Park 3, Saltwell 0.
Darlington Sunday Morning League
IMPROVING Middleton-in-Teesdale FC recorded their first league win of the season.
In a clash of the bottom two, Middleton ran out 5-2 winners against Northgate FC to record their first three points of the season.
Ben Goodfellow bagged four and Sam Snape scored the other.
