Durham Sunday League: East Rainton spot on to lift Guards Cup after hard-fought final against Whitehills

Whitehills had most of the opportunities in the first half, the best falling to Chris Savage, whose powerful header was palmed out to safety by keeper Dean Caris.

The second period was dominated by Rainton, however Whitehills’ defenders were in no mood to concede, with man-of-the-match contender Stephen Fisher particularly impressive.

The final was taken to penalties and two outstanding stops by keeper Caris gave Rainton the edge, with star man Craig Henniss scoring the decider at 3-1.

Houghton Town edged out neighbours Burnside WMC on penalties to reach the final of the Ramside Hall Hotel Cup-Winners’ Cup.

The tie was filled with controversy, with Burnside dominating the first 20 minutes until the disputed straight red card for the hosts’ Callum Munro changed the game.

Against all odds, Burnside held out heroically against their Premier visitors and got their noses in front with a great free-kick from Craig Ellison.

Town soon replied, though, to send the game to a shoot-out, which they won 4-2.

Shaun Dixon starred for Burnside.

Pelton RAOB crushed Sherburn Village 6-0 in the Durham Sport League Cup third round.

Michael Mackay hit a hat-trick, backed by Cameron Nichol (2) and Ian Davison.

Washington Cross Keys succumbed 3-1 at home to Newton Aycliffe Huntsman in the Premier Division.

Corey Nicholson’s pair of well-worked goals steered Aycliffe 2-0 ahead, but the hosts rallied as a Phil Marriott strike halved the deficit, with a deflection wrongfooting the keeper.

Aaron Wright sealed Huntsman’s win with a great strike.

Sacriston Cricket Club were twice pegged back before edging home 3-2 against Ferryhill Dynamos.

Jack Keall and two-goal Anthony Ward did the damage, with Marco Oswald and Chris Devine replying. Vinny Gash starred for Dynamos, with Robert Draper best for the cricketers.

Hilda Park drew 4-4 at Langley Park in an entertaining First Division clash.

Langley raced into a two-goal lead early on, courtesy of Matthew Wilkie and Tony Rutter, but Hilda hit back well and cut the deficit with Stephen Gregory’s strike from 20 yards.

Sub Jake Davison added a third, but the goal only roused the visitors.

They stormed back to go 4-3 up with three goals in 15 sensational minutes, from Paul Freeman, Chris Days and a stunning Jamie Gordon free-kick, after a half-time team talk from boss Tony Chapman.

Davison, though, grabbed a late reply, breaking clinically as Hilda chased a killer fifth goal.

Chester Garden Farm RAR made it 27 goals in two games with a 10-3 Second Division demolition of Lumley, with Kieron Allison starring.

Tom Wray (4), Michael Williamson (4), Bailey Hunter and Robbie Mawson did the damage, with Daniel Melvin, Jon Cossar and Ben Cornell replying.

Last Friday night, Garden Farm ran riot to sink Houghton Chilton Lodge 17-4.

Williamson led the way with an eight-goal haul, while Jordan Stevens hit five. Dan Johnson (2), Hunter and a penalty from keeper Jack Wilson did the damage.

Adam Hinde (2) and Callum Elliott (2) replied.

East Rainton and Lambton Lions United shared the spoils in a close-fought 1-1 draw.

Sub Jon Gaunt struck for Rainton, whose top man was Craig Henniss, with star man Adam Cameron hitting Lions’ strike.

Chester Whitehills worked hard to beat Sedgefield SC 1-0.

Grange Villa claimed a 5-3 victory at Bowburn in an entertaining showdown.

Ben Jefferson converted Micky Gray’s cross for the opener, then doubled the lead after capitalising on a poor defensive header.

Gray added a third, but a Nathan Armin’s one goal rallied Bowburn, whose keeper, Paul Atkinson, then saved a Gray penalty.

Jefferson completed a ‘perfect’ hat-trick with a header for 4-1, and Gray chipped a fifth. Bowburn bagged two late consolations, scored by Luke Road and Ben Johnson.

Ouston Juniors ran out convincing 4-0 winners at Dubmire WMC.

After a scrappy start, Scott Johnson opened the scoring after 25 minutes and followed up with a great finish two minutes later to make it 2-0.

Johnson claimed his hat-trick on 63 minutes, then hit a fourth six minutes later.

In Division Three, Witton Gilbert WMC bagged a late leveller in a 3-3 draw with Chester Park Inn .

David Calcutt finished clinically for Witton’s opener, but Steven Haswell swivelled and drove home an 18-yard equaliser.

Chris Lambert’s well-worked strike restored the home lead, but Johnny Dobson finished off Brett Turnbull’s low cross to make it 2-2 then struck again, nodding in Haswell’s cross.

But Witton levelled as Alan Lambert converted a cross with virtually the last kick of the game.

Bishop Middleham saw off Sacriston The Shoes 6-4 in a thriller, with Jonathan Smith the hosts’ hero.

David Redfern (2), Andrew Blackburn (2), Ashley Jenkins and sub Arran Murdoch did the damage, with Stephen McRobbie (2), Jack McRobbie and Liam McEldon responding

Quarrington Hill WMC secured a 2-1 victory at Ferryhill Community Hub, thanks to star man Carl Hewitson’s double.

Hetton New Inn succumbed 4-2 at Durham Rangers.