Over-40s League: Five-star The Philadelphia end long wait for first league success

The Philadelphia finally secured their first victory in Division Two - at the 14th attempt.
Fogbound: Wearmouth CW Juniors (red and white stripes) battle against Colonel Prior. Pictures by Tom BanksFogbound: Wearmouth CW Juniors (red and white stripes) battle against Colonel Prior. Pictures by Tom Banks
Fogbound: Wearmouth CW Juniors (red and white stripes) battle against Colonel Prior. Pictures by Tom Banks

They were never behind in a thrilling 5-4 success against Hartlepool Catholic Club.

After some good approach work, Phili took the lead when Mark Nixon fired home from the edge of the box.

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Mick Eglintine levelled with a shot that was too hot for the home keeper, but Phili regained the lead on 20 minutes when Alan Jones spotted the visitors’ goalie off his line and coolly chipped him for a fantastic goal.

Catholic levelled from a free-kick, but Andrew Bainbridge latched onto a stray pass and advanced unopposed for 20 yards before unleashing a terrific left-footed shot, on the edge of the area, which squeezed inside the post evading the despairing keeper for a 3-2 Phili lead.

Tierney’s penalty rallied Catholic and they started to dominate, hitting the woodwork three times.

But Phili rode the storm and struck twice more, including a Bainbridge effort after the visitors failed to clear. Despite Wright’s reply, Phili held on to win 5-4.

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Durham Stonebridge drew 2-2 with Peterlee Helford, while John Hogg Funerals succumbed 1-0 to visitors Wallsend Boys Club.

Wearmouth Old Boys rose to fourth-bottom spot in Division Four after a third victory of the campaign, 2-1 against cross-city rivals Colonel Prior.

Ivy Legends regained top spot with a tight 3-2 success at Hartlepool Tech, while Boldon Colliery Tavern, in fourth, went down by the same score to Heighington Bay Horse.

Oddfellows Arms were thumped 6-2 at Durham County, who bagged their third win.

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Bottom club Oddies put up a spirited late show before losing 3-2 at Hartlepool Stag & Monkey in Division Three.

Oddies were three down by the half-hour mark as the hosts dominated, but a disputed penalty got them a lifeline with 10 minutes to go. Oddies bagged a second goal at the death, and there was no time to chase an equaliser as Stag shut up shop.

Hedworthfield Red Hackle stayed third-bottom after being beaten 5-1 at Redcar Old Boys.

Penshaw Catholic Club climbed to sixth place in the Premier Division with a hard-earned 2-1 win at Cramlington Burton House. Leaders Marden won 1-0 at Tudhoe Black Horse to move nine points clear.

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Mill View SC progressed in the Kip Watson Villa Real Cup, beating the The Milbourne Arms 4-2 after extra time.

Mill started the brighter and converted a penalty in the 10th minute when Clifton Thompson was pushed over in the box.

Milbourne responded well and a quickfire double saw them go 2-1 up before half-time.

Determined Mill dominated the second half, but Milbourne defended stoutly. The introduction of fit-again sub Anthony Lavery paid dividends immediately when he crossed for Anthony Hodgson to turn in, forcing extra time.

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Two more Hodgson goals, completing his hat-trick, saw Mill through to a tie against First Division Ferryhill Greyhound. Micky Little, the “flying window cleaner”, and Sammy Ward have ordered new suits for the occasion!

Shaun Dunn was outstanding in defence for Mill.

Willow Pond succumbed 5-0 to First Division visitors Consett.

Consett keeper Ian Pearson was forced to make some early saves to deny Gary Golightly, but the visitors were soon in front after Gary Howarth fed Dan Gilbert, who weaved his way through the defence to shoot smartly past stand-in keeper Dean Cassidy.

Gilbert chipped a second, latching onto a poor goal-kick, and Steve Earle fired past the diving Cassidy for 3-0.

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Cassidy produced a fine save from his own defender, Lee Brown, as he tried to head clear, before keeper John Davis finally arrived. He was quickly beaten, though, as Gilbert curled an effort over his head to seal a hat-trick.

David Kelly beat four players in a mazy run before being denied by Pearson.

In the second half, Ronald Bulmer’s free-kick was tipped over by Pearson, who saved Keith Thompson’s header from the resulting corner.

Consett added a fifth with a Gary Kaye penalty, with Stuart Hope adjudged to have fouled.

Grindon Broadway and Blakelaw SC produced a below-par game.

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In the first half, Grindon had opportunities to score twice but failed. The score remained 0-0 after extra time before Blakelaw won the penalty shoot-out 5-4.

Houghton Cricket Club crashed out, losing 4-1 to Hartlepool Gillen Arms.

The hosts’ fine start brought three good chances, but Gillens survived and went on to lead by three goals before Houghton managed their consolation.

Elsewhere, Rolls-Royce lost 3-1 at North Shields Pineapple, Dubmire were pipped 5-4 at Dormans and Washington JFC Biddick Inn went out 5-2 at Pelton Crown.

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Hylton CW were outgunned 6-2 by South Shields Catholic Club.

Mid-table Red House WMC rocked high-flying Premier neighbours Ryhope Foresters with a thrilling 5-3 win in the Robson Pattison Cup.

Wearmouth CW exited 3-2 at Wallsend Community, while Hebburn Town were beaten 5-1 by Hartlepool Touchdown, for whom Scott Newbegin fired a hat-trick.