Match Reports for 25 October 2009


South Bank had to field a team depleted by injuries to top scorer Anthony Reed, Marty O'Riordan, and work commitments to Harrison Davies, Gary Owens, and both keepers Danny Watson and Steven Denham unavailable. Martin Laing went in goal and was soon called into action Cons went close early on with three good efforts just off target. Bank took the lead after twenty minutes from the spot through Jamie May after he had been brought down. Bank were playing quite well with Barker and McKenna battling well in midfield against the run of play Cons equalised with a penalty when Adam Livingstone was adjudged to have fouled Matthew Ridley for Chris Garbutt to score from the spot.  Just before halftime Jonathan French looked offside when he scored a second goal and made it 2-1. In the second half a lapse in defence allowed Cons to go 3-1 up through Brian Stewart the Bank kept plugging away Matthew Ridley scored a fourth. Jamie May converted a second spot kick to make it 4-2. In the last seconds with Banks stand in keeper Martin Laing well off his line Anthony Abel hit a long range effort over Laing. Billingham Cons were worthy winners on the day over depleted Bankers.

The Eagle went top of division two with a 3-0 win away against Billingham The Kings with goals from Martin Rogan, Alan Gill and Daniel Ward.  A deserved man of the match went to Martyn Stubbings who worked tirelessly in the heart of defence to help keep the Kings at bay. Stockton Arms enjoyed their first win of the season with a 5-0 victory away to Fairfield Athletic thanks to a hat trick from Stuart Lockey and goals from Gary Devlin and James Thompson. Malleable and Port Clarence shared the points in a 1-1 draw, Jeffrey Illingworth scored for Malleable. Stockton West End lost their 100% record when they were held to a 202 draw by Perrys, Matthew Martin scored twice for West End whilst Nicky Ellar and new signing Ashley Watson scored for Perrys.

In division three Georgia Browns enjoyed their first win of the season with a 2-0 win over Billingham Greenholme and also moved off the bottom of the table thanks to a double strike from Karl Nugent. The weekend’s biggest winners were Norton George & Dragon who romped to a 9-2 home win over Wolviston Wellington who scored through Barry Garner and Chris Hall to remain in second spot in the division. Goals scorers for the George were Chris Burton (4), Jack Moody (2), Gavin Simcox, Gary Jackson and Carl Dunning). Dubliners remain just in front at the top of the table with a 4-1 win against Roundel in a Thornaby derby. Goals from Chris Wrathmall, Jordan Morgan, Karl Smith and Sunny Singh set up the latest win whilst Paul Meggison replied for the Roundel. Billingham Rangers remain in third spot after a narrow 3-2 win over The Swan thanks to goals from Andy Jennings (2) and Andy Graham whilst Richard Daniel and Martyn Flett replied for The Swan.

Things are certainly hotting up in division one as teams are dropping points to each other and making the division very tight. The Sheraton strengthened their position at the top without playing as title rivals Mandale went down 4-1 at home to the Sun Inn. The scorers for the Sun were Marlon Balegi, Jonny Richards, Chris Whaley and Ray Ayre, Marc Todd replied for the Mandale. Londonderry Arms moved up to second spot but they were held to a draw by bottom of the table Norton Unicorn who moved off the bottom thanks to the point gained by a Chris Hurrell goal. Billingham Telstar had a 5-2 home win over Stainsby with their goals coming from a Chris Brown hat trick and two goals from James McLeod, Karl Suckling and Philip Poulton replied for the visitors. The other fixture saw The Merlin win 3-1 away to Charltons Hotel.

In the premier division George and Dragon shared the points with league leaders Hardwick in a 2-2 draw, goals from Michael Dalton & Michael Gee were cancelled out by Kallam Hannah and Jamie Owens.