Over-40s League: Steady Eddie the hero as Wearmouth Old Boys bag first league win since August

The day started badly when Kevin “quiet man” Graham pulled up lame in the Duck car park and things got worse on arrival at Pelton when Iain Saville took ill.

Nevertheless, Wearmouth stormed into their opposition and took the lead after 20 minutes through Edward Brown. Further disruption took place when Jim Duncan was forced to limp off, but Wearmouth hung on until half-time.

The second half saw Pelton lay siege to the Wearmouth goal, but they held on until 10 minutes from time when Pelton equalised from a corner.

However, five minutes later, a defensive mix-up saw man of the match Brown hauled down and he converted the resulting penalty to regain the lead for Wearmouth.

Then, in the final minute Brown set up Davidson for a tap-in to seal the win amid scenes of wild jubilation amongst the travelling army of supporters.

Lowly Oddfellows Arms, now only a point ahead of Wearmouth, were beaten 2-0 by visitors Hartlepool Tech, whose opener was a cracking strike by Paul Gillies, while Ivy Legends dropped to fourth place after a 3-1 defeat at Billingham Vets.

Grindon Broadway twice came from behind to win 3-2 at Ferryhill Greyhound in Division One.

The match was played in poor conditions and, after 15 minutes, against the run of play, Ferryhill took the lead through Mick Newham.

Within a minute, Grindon equalised with a Michael Greenwell strike.

Greyhound regained the lead after 26 minutes, thanks to a Jason Rothwell penalty. Grindon, though, were awarded a penalty of their own four minutes later, with Paul Griffiths converting to level matters again.

Grindon had complete control on the restart and, after 55 minutes, took the lead with Greenwell’s second goal. They should have scored more, but they saw the game out 3-2.

Keeper Troy Race was outstanding for Ferryhill, making some brilliant saves, while David Taylor was top man for the visitors, who moved up to fourth place.

Mill View SC saw their fine run ended by a 3-0 Second Division defeat to Hartlepool Catholic Club.

Mill saw plenty of the ball in the second half, and they hit the post, but the home side held firm for a shut-out.

Leaders Seaham Marlborough beat Darsley Park to stay a point clear of Thornley Celtic, who won by the same score at Cobblers Hall.

Hylton CW drew 1-1 at Durham Stonebridge in a battle of third and fourth, while Peterlee Helford climbed out of the bottom two with a 6-2 demolition of Blakelaw SC.

Second-top The Philadelphia travelled to Houghton Cricket Club in Division Three and were the first to crack when a needless penalty was given away after just 10 minutes, with Houghton converting to go ahead.

That setback sparked Phili into action and they levelled when Andrew Bainbridge floated in a 35-yard free-kick, the flight of the ball deceiving the home keeper, and Steve Spencer was on hand to steer the ball home.

The Philadelphia went ahead right on half-time when they were awarded a penalty and Paul Russell stepped up to despatch it into the net. 

Houghton came out with a different approach on the restart, and they were rewarded with two quickfire goals, stunning their opponents.

Phili struggled to breach the cricketers’ defence until the final minute, when a unnecessary tackle in the penalty area, resulted in another penalty. Russell again stepped up and converted to ensure a 3-3 draw.

Clear leaders Blue House enjoyed a 16th win, 2-1 at Woodhorn Lane, while Oddies outgunned Sedgefield Black Lion 4-0 and Washington JFC Biddick Inn cruised home 5-0 at Hartlepool Stag & Monkey.

Red House WMC climbed back up to sixth place in the Premier Division thanks to a 2-0 win at Blyth Sea Horse.

In the Kenny Ball Cup, Washington Sandpiper had to work very hard to progress to the last 16 when they beat Hartlepool Gillen Arms 2-0 at home.

The first half was battled out in midfield with few chances and ended goalless. Gillen missed a glorious chance with a three-on-one situation and Sandpiper capitalised to go ahead with a header from a corner by recent signing Karl Siberry.

Gillen went all out to get an equaliser but left themselves wide open when man of the match Andy Lumsden ran through from halfway and teed Siberry up for his second goal, killing the game off.

Easington CIU won their tie 3-2 at Consett with a great comeback after trailing 2-0 with 20 minutes to go.

They were a goal down early in the game but responded with a rocket from Tommy Garside which thumped against the bar and a shot from Anthony Banks that was brilliantly saved.

Consett doubled their lead after the break, but Easington came alive in the last quarter. Tigger Lyons hit a half-volley into the roof of the net after good work from Lee Stockport. Then the tricky Stockport was felled in the box and Tommy Wilkinson converted the penalty to equalise.

The comeback was completed in the last minute with a great goal. Graham Langthorne found Banks, who cut inside, did a step-over, and curled home from 18 yards.

Wearmouth CW, from Division One, made Premier side Hartlepool Touchdown fight hard for a 1-0 win, Bob Smith finishing off a cross from 15 yards for the only goal.

Dubmire went out 6-1 at Premier high-fliers Marden, while top-flight Penshaw Catholic Club lost 2-1 at home to First Division Heaton Stannington after leading with Simon Holland’s great curled shot into the far corner.

Steels King Bros edged a 2-1 success at Wallsend Community in the Robson Pattison Cup.