WCFL match report for w/e 26.2.2011

05/03/11 10:51 Filed in: Match Reports

by James Johnson 

DURHAM MINOR CUP
West End FC produced a magnificent performance to progress to the semi finals with a swashbuckling 2-1 victory away to Hartlepool Headland.
The game was in doubt but the referee decided to go ahead with the tie even though the pitch looked like a paddy field. The Wearsiders were buoyed on by their voicerous support – 52 of them travelled down in high spirits, this giving their side an extra spring in their step and extra motivation.
West End sarted nervously and were not looking like a complete team as mistakes and arguments crept, Headland took note of this and upped the pressure of which finally paid off as they took a deserved lead as David Sanderson headed the ball into his own net from a corner. Further setbacks came as the talismanic Coomber went off injured with a grazed knee and was replaced by new Russian centre forward Mikhail Chinkichenko. The change suited West End better and it showed as they produced some wonderful football on a pitch that was more suited to mud wrestling, albeit they couldn’t take their chances.
Stern words from the West End hierarchy saw them come out all guns blazing and the front two of Bogie and Chinkichenko were causing havoc with their positional sense and off the ball running. West End were camped in their opponents half with the visiting keeper doing yoga whilst waiting to be called upon. The relentless pressure finally paid off as they equalised in stunning fashion, a free kick was awarded 25 yards out and Stephen Bogie signalled to the bench where he was going to put it – and true to his word he thumped it into the stanchion to signal wild celebrations from the players and the Barmy Army. West End were rampant now and went in search of the goal that would the game, Hartlepool to their credit were defending admirably, but on 70 minutes West End were in wonderland as they grabbed the decisive winner. About 25 passes (Liverpool style) were made before Stephen ‘Vanilla Ice’ went on a run and beat two men before crossing for Chinkichenko to slam the ball into the roof of the net. West End saw out the rest of the game dominating possession much to the delight of their supporters who again were fantastic.
The result sees West End into the semi finals and sets up a mouthwatering clash with Hylton CW Juniors.
In the other quarter final that go the go ahead, Hylton CW Juniors stormed into the semi finals as they proved to be too strong for a luckless Hall Farm Blakeneys who succumbed to a 4-1 defeat at the Billy Hardy Centre.
The much eagerly anticipated quarter final tie between Redhouse and Thorney Close Inn was cancelled due to an unplayable pitch.
The Wearside Combination League are now guaranteed a team in the final after the semi final draw was made at Durham FA HQ, this is an amazing achievement for the league itself but credit must be given to the teams in question who have been fantastic and the Committee and fellow clubs are proud of their achievements.
Durham Minor Cup semi final draw:
Hylton CW Juniors v West End FC
Darlington DSRM v Redhouse/Thorney Close Inn
PREMIER DIVISION
Colliery Tavern went goal crazy as they hammered Usworth FC 14-0 in a bad tempered clash.
Usworth’s task was made harder as they were reduced to 9 men after the sending off of both Liam Carnall and Michael Ambler. The Tavern had David Dixon dismissed too.
Despite those set backbacks, it was the Tavern who had their shooting boots on and produced a display of clinical finshing of which Arsenal should take note of. The star of the show was undoubtedly Michael Bulmer who scored six goals, further goals from Gavin Foot (2), Darren Straughan (2), Anthony Stokell (2), David Dixon and stalwart Billy Pemberton saw the Tavern coast home for 3 easy points.
The other scheduled fixture were wiped out by unplayable pitches.
FIRST DIVISION
FC Whitburn produced a battling display as they edged a seven goal thriller winning 4-3 at home to Victoria Gardens.
Whitburn won thanks to goals from Liam Bayles, Ross Toward, Andrew Smith and man of the match Danny Wilson. The Gardeners replied with goals from Ben Stokoe (2) and Adam Wasey and their star man was Ryan Lawson.
The win will hopefully instil some confidence into the young Whitburn side and climb the table with a few more successes.
Oddfellows good form continued as they won 3-1 against FC Chesters at a bog like Leyburn Grove.
Oddfellows started the brighter with some clinical pass and movement coming close to outdoing the Chesters defence and it was Andy Smith who had an early chance for the visitors but he was thwarted by a good save from the keeper work. It was the home side who took the lead against the run of play as Ethan Lee ran through unopposed to calmly slot the ball home after the entire away team stopped to question a referees decision. Rule of thumb is always play to the whistle lads!!
Oddfellows were having the lions share of possession and they finally equalised in bizarre circumstances as a Chesters clearance hit the referee and it fell to goal machine Andy Smith who swivelled and fired in an unstoppable shot past the helpless keeper. The scoreline could have been greater in favour of the visitors had it not been for goalkeepeing heroics from Tom Robason in the Chesters goal.
Chesters were given a rollicking at half time and they started to show improvement in the second with some good passing and attacking play but the final end product was nowhere to be seen. Those misses would return to haunt the home side as Oddfellows took the lead as Chris Rowntree rode two challenges, skin the centre half and then curled in a sublime effort that flew past the outstretched hands of Robason and nestle into the net. Chesters went in search of an equaliser which failed to materialise after some wayward finishing, the game was finally over as a contest as Oddfellows grabbed a killer third goal thanks to Shaun King who lashed the ball home with only his first touch.
A battle royale ensued as East Durham Spartans and Seaham Harkers Bar shared the spoils as both teams produced an excellent game of football in a 2-2 draw.
Lee Wood grabbed both goals for the Spartans, whilst Harkers replied through strikes fom Marc Ruddock and Michael Wilson.
Spartans star man was Jonathan Holland and Liam Sinclair starred for Harkers.
Times Inn have the bragging rights as they came out on top in the local derby against Dray and Horses as they ran out 3-2 winners in a feisty contest.
The Saltgrass grabbed a valuable three points as they edged out Country Park Inn 3-2 at Quarry View.