-18th August 2005| back to top

Southwell retain the League.

A day of draws keeps Southwell nervous until the end.

Southwell FC 0 Sporting Redhouse 0
Typical 0-0 draw. Both these teams cancelled each other out. Greenwell was the only hope for Southwell, while Sporting didn't really have any hope to draw on, with a team of defenders. A positive result for Southwell, though as they only needed to stay ahead of Sporting.

Southwell 1 Hylton View 1
This one was a classic. Ross Mullen couldn't get a team out which meant that Southwell would have probably gained the League by default. However, he had enough stragglers on the side line to put out a pseudo-Redhouse Youth team. The kit rule went to pot, but at least six lads were there - and they gave it their all. They actually scored first as Southwell were slow and lethargic. Eventually, Greenwell hit the equaliser, but both teams came very close. So now, Sporting had to defeat Hylton Castle to take the League to a play-off situation. With results awarded during the season due to games being cancelled, it's always been decided to play off when the top two are on level points..

Sporting Redhouse 0 Hylton Castle 0
Sporting fell short. Hylton were probably more positive during the game, but they couldn't break the deadlock. Therefore the Title went to Southwell again.

Southview 4 Sassco.co.uk 2
Sassco conceded two early ones and looked to be on the end of a lashing off Southview. But the second saw a brilliant comeback. Southview's fitness and skill showed in the end with two further goals to take the game.

-4th August 2005| back to top

A 0-0 stalemate for Southwell and Castle.

Sassco walloped again. Youth's take over Hylton. MFS defeated heavily.

Southwell FC 0 Hylton Castle 0
A controversial game was replayed and it didn't disappoint. A rare shut out for both teams as they played out a tense 0-0 draw. A decent result for Southwell, but on reflection, a bad one for Hylton as they're probably out of the running now.

Southview 2 Hylton View 0
The Hylton View team have been taken over by Redhouse Youth, but a depleted team suffered an opening defeat (which is a double result). Southview gained a good win after so many disappointments over the course of this season. A great result for them as the season comes to a close.

Sporting Redhouse 4 Sassco.co.uk 0
Despite a fairly balanced first half which ended 0-0. The second saw Sassco conceded early and then suffer their usual collapse in morale, organisation, etc. The Salmon was playing outfield (after being dumped from Hylton View) but even he couldn't make an impact.

Southwell FC 4 MFS 0
Playing two games in one night hampers quite a lot of teams, but not Southwell. They got the 0-0 out of their system with four goals against Ally Hiles' team to keep in pace at the top. Some critical games coming as the season ends and especially the mouthwatering clash against Sporting.

Hylton Castle 3 Surestart 0 - result awarded

Surestart have pulled out of the league which means that Hylton Castle are awarded the win.

Season 4 of the Thursday League is going to be continued by Tarnjit Sangha. Also the Sassco.co.uk team will not be run by myself and is open for any of the existing players to take over. I will still do the site and report uploading and also fixtures, etc, but the day-to-day running and payments from now on should go to Tarnjit Sangha. At the end of the season, the Cup competition will start and that will be the official handover to Tarnjit Sangha. The league will still be strict on kits and payments.

-28th July 2005| back to top

Games cancelled.

Waterlogged pitch.

Incessant rain has forced us to cancel the games. The missing games will added to the end of the season.

-21st July 2005| back to top

Southwell v Hylton Castle to be replayed.

Surestart quit the League. Sporting win easily. MFS force Hylton View to give up a good lead.

Southwell FC 2 Hylton Castle 1
The rules were not clear enough in regards to players playing for different teams, so the game needs to be replayed. For the replayed game, It's not necessary for the exact same players to be there and the full game will be played, as it was 1-1 at half time, so it was a deadlock. Kev Snowdon had played for the Southwell team before he played for View last week so in theory he's supposed to stay with View for three games as he's already played for a team. Apologies to both teams for this error, but a replay seems a fair idea. So just to confirm, Kev Snowdon can play for Hylton View next week if required as the result in this game is cancelled.

To write a report about a cancelled game seems strange, but here goes. Fatty's lot turned up with five players and were there for the taking. Hylton opened the scoring from a free kick which went through a wall with as many gaps as Wayne's teeth. But, amazingly, Jeff Clark, who still runs with his arms down, squeezed in an equaliser. In the second half, Fatty, still heavily soiled from his chimney sweep job, made his fatal error by calling on Kev Snowdon to play for him. While he was getting ready, Wardle scored and it was 2-1. The scoreline remained the same, but as mentioned, the game's going to be replayed. The replay date is going to be next week (28th July) with a 7:00pm kick off. Hylton Castle also play at 8:00pm v Southview so I need to confirm if they're okay playing two games (they only pay for one though).

Hylton View 2 MFS 2

The Hylton View team seems to be clicking into place. Dixon had a stormer and took his two goals with style instead of launching them east and west as you'd expect him to. The opponents were MFS who seem to be getting a grip with the league and putting out a good balanced side. Ally Hiles, as ever, was controlling his team and the comeback, which seemed unlikely, bore fruit. Firstly a penalty given away made it 2-1, but a second penalty was missed so MFS were still 2-1 down. Yet soon after, a cracking free kick went through the wall to make it 2-2. A great game which was disappointing from View's angle but excellent for MFS.

Sporting Redhouse 5 Southview 0
Another solid performance from Sporting as they enter the final stages. Southview played good football but unfortunately lacked an end product. The defeat was heavy with five goals conceded. Middlemiss scored three while Walker and John Hunt scored the others. Southview have a very difficult game next week against Hylton Castle so progress is needed to halt these unexpected heavy defeats from an obviously talented side.

Sassco.co.uk 3 Surestart 0 - result awarded

Surestart have pulled out of the league which was half expected. Ever since Richie Press left the team a while back, the side have been struggling with kit and have incurred at least two fines. Rob Weiss was the reluctant manager, and from personal experience, when a manager changes, the team tends to fall apart. A replacement may be entered (similar to View, a team put together) but until then, 3-0 wins will be awarded to the opposition.

After this season ends, there will be small cup competition, but after that, there won't be a new Thursday season for the forseable future. Thursday Season 4 might start up in Summer 2006, but that depends on the availability of the pitch and the amount of teams etc. This season started off with 6 teams and then went to 8. However, two weak entrants, Surestart and Hylton View pulled out, leaving myself to arrange replacements which is very difficult now considering that I also run the Tuesday league and that the 11-a-side team kicks off in competitive football in September. Also the point of a Thursday league has always been to be hassle free and easy going. However with teams dropping out it's far from it.

-14th July 2005| back to top

Makeshift View get a win!

Sassco smashed. Sporting and Southwell keep winning.

Hylton Castle 7 Sassco.co.uk 1
Without Middlemiss, Gaz, Jase and John, Sassco kept hold of Hembrough and then added Pearson with Anth Mouat in goal. Muers was playing outfield and managed to score in one of his first meaningful chances. However after that, he was shite (can't say it any plainer than that). Hylton Castle came back strongly and peppered the Sassco goal with shot after shot. Most of them went in. It was 3-1 at one stage and Sassco simply collapsed allowing Hylton Castle to run from the back unopposed, thus wreaking havoc. It was 7-1 in the end and could have been more. Good win for Hylton as they try and keep pace with the top two. Their games against Sporting (again) and Southwell are going to be crackers and could well decide if they have it in them to catch up, despite the dropped points earlier in the season.

Hylton View 3 Surestart 0

Who could have believed it. After removing the old Hylton View team who were becoming a laughing stock, this new one couldn't be more of a contrast. The veteran legs of Mitchell and Garrett, both outfield, along with the three Youth players, with Mullen in goal, was a perfect combination. Dixon and Smithee were also in the side and they took the lead against a strong looking Surestart side. They eventually ran out 3-0 winners, with Smithee getting two and Snowdon getting one. More importantly, Mullen kept it tight at the back and didn't concede. Garrett's performance was noteworthy. He hasn't kicked an outfield ball in anger for nearly three years. Well done lads and especially to the Youth for keeping the old ones going. MFS next week.

Sporting Redhouse 6 MFS 2
Ally Hiles, the much troubled MFS manager, did get a team out this week without any major problems. Only problem was that the Geordie was outfield for them and he happily gave the ball away to Minnie to concede a goal to make it 2-2 to Sporting. Minnie added to his tally with another goal, but John Hunt was the hero of the night with a brilliant hat-trick. Trevor added to the goals as well. Sporting are still keeping pace with the Champions and look like the closest candidates to knock them off the summit. However with another game v Hylton Castle a week after their Southwell encounter, it could be a very tight finish.

Southwell FC 6 Southview 0

The last game between these two was a tight game, but this time Southview suffered badly. But their own lads knocking each other out (not deliberately) didn't help. Southwell opened with goals from Wardle and Greenwell before Jimmy "Crouch" Donkin added to his ever increasing table. A good win for the Pennywellites as they look to keep their trophy. With only five weeks remaining, it looks likely that Castle and Sporting have to take something from them for definite.

-7th July 2005| back to top

1.875 goals per minute for Hylton Castle.

16 against View. Southwell still ahead. MFS and Southview share the points.

Southwell FC 5 Sassco.co.uk 3
With Muers in goal, it's always going to be a gamble. But to be more precise it's like betting on the Titanic not sinking even when you know it's been under the ocean for 80 bloody years. Anyway, the opener wasn't his fault, but the second was a true clanger in every sense of the word. Imagine a frog standing up and you'll see how Muers positioned himself for the second strike. It was like the gap to end all gaps, it was like that school kid with "kick me" written on his back, it was a gap bigger than the ones between Wayne's teeth. From the build up it's quite obvious that you know it was 2-0, but Sassco hit one back to make it 2-1 from Hembrough. Game on, but the second saw Southwell, again, take the lead from slack marking. But Jason Amour unleashed a bullet past Paul Martin in goal. It wasn't good enough. Even another goal didn't stop Southwell from getting five. It was Wardle with two, Lee Smith (on his debut) with two and most disturbing of all, Greenwell getting one. For Muers, it was more shame as I ran out of languages to swear at him in. Also disappointing was Middlemiss shearing his locks off, the same locks which were put to so much good use on Tuesday. Never mind, Sassco plug away and, yes, Muers will be there again next week.

Hylton Castle 16 Hylton View 0
If only they had the electric chair in Downhill, because Hylton View do need to be put out of their misery. With Sassco banging 11 past them (and Sangha scoring. The Olympics come round more often then him scoring), Hylton View thought it couldn't get worse - but it did. Hylton Castle, fresh from excellent performances last week and also on Tuesday, hit them with all they had. View suffered a record defeat of 16 goals which really can't be bettered. That's a ratio of 1.875 goals per minute. Even the Love Doctor was usurped by Pottsy streaming out of goal, weighed down by his trackies, but still caressing in a left footer to the top corner. Amongst the goalscoring highlights, Keith Moon got a hat-trick but Cresswell and Snowball bettered it with four each. It really couldn't get any worse. On a downer though, Hylton View owe too much money to the league and the deadline for payment was today. From next week onwards, a representative team will be replacing them organised by Davinder Sangha. Hylton View management will have to pay the outstanding money via Durham FA now who will receive all the paperwork. If any players out there fancy a kickabout for View's six remaining games, then feel free to contact me or place a message on the message board.

Sporting Redhouse 4 Surestart 0
Frustration got the better of Sporting as they beat Surestart but not by a margin they would have wanted. Middlemiss scored one goal while Trevor helped himself to a hat-trick. Surestart were stubborn, exactly as they were in their opener against Sporting, but the quality simply wasn't there. Hunt and Keith Mouat both got yellow cards and Hunt nearly suffered a red after one too many wisecracks. Not needed Mr. Hunt, best to just get on with the game and not to backchat the referee.

Southview 1 MFS 1
With Ally Hiles returning and still struggling with a team, their game against Southview was going to be difficult. But just as they performed against Hylton Castle in similar circumstances, they did the same here. An opening goal scored was a bonus and to be perfectly honest, there should have had more if it wasn't from acrobatics from Brian Marley, this time in goal. His good work paid off and eventually Southview equalised in one of their rare openings. This game counted as double due to the late entry of both teams, so both came away with two points each.

Surestart are fined £5 for one player wearing incorrect shorts and socks, again.

Hylton View are due to be replaced by a new team, or by a representative team. Anyone interested in playing for this new team, please click here to contact us.

-30th June 2005| back to top

Hylton Castle 1 Sporting Redhouse 0.

Southwell's five hit seven. Southview/Sassco share nine goals.

MFS v Surestart
MFS, as expected, didn't turn up. Ally Hiles, their manager is currently on holiday and despite refusing to cancel the game (like I requested) his deputies didn't get a team out. This now means that they are fined £15 and also have two points deducted. I'll discuss the way ahead with Ally Hiles as it seems likely that the team will be replaced.

Southwell FC 5 Hylton View 2
This time it was Southwell who had only four players prior to kick off. Stubba popped in late and the five superstars took on a full Hylton View team which also featured Super Kev. However, it didn't work out. Southwell got themselves an opener (which was soon cancelled out) and never looked back. Final score was 7-2 which puts View well and truly in the doldrums after their 11-0 hammering the previous week.

Hylton Castle 1 Sporting Redhouse 0
The game of the night for definite. Hylton Castle were buoyant after their superb win over the Sporting "A" team on Tuesday and weren't surprised to see a full strength line up. Tactical genius, Tarnjit Sangha, threw in a proper clanger though, by replacing Walker with John Hunt; "John Who?" I hear you say. Well, Hunt was the mastermind behind Sunderland Select's dominance of the Tuesday league but his laborious and some would say tank-like movements failed to ignite the massive audience as Hylton were clearly superior. Both Hunt and the returning Keith Mouat got physical, but Hylton, brilliantly didn't respond but responded by Keith Moon slotting past (or is it through) Sangha in goal. 1-0 and Hylton never remotely looked like losing this encounter. Great game and great result.

Southview 5 Sassco.co.uk 4
An amazing end to end game where both teams scored 9 goals between themselves. Southview opened the scoring after dominating the first few minutes, but immediately, Jase unleashed the beast and got one back. "Muers you moron!" was the buzzword after the aforementioned idiot let a proper clanger in. But again, Sassco ignored his mess and got one back. Southview scored again! This time in the second half only to see Sassco score two to go ahead. 4-3, but with such an open game (i.e. bad defending) more goals were to come and Southview equalised before hitting the winner near the end. A great game - shame it wasn't a draw but Southview gain their second win on the trot.

MFS are fined £15 for failing to show for a game. They are also deducted two points and are most likely going to be replaced by a new team with new management (under the name MFS).

-30th June 2005| back to top

League News.

Rule changes.

• From now on, all teams must hand in team details before 9:30pm on the night. This can be done by writing the line up and goalscorers on a piece of paper and handing it in or via SMS or email (as long as sent before 9:30pm). A £2 fine will be administered if this doesn't happen. Warnings will be made for the next few weeks before fines start kicking in. From personal experience, the minute a fine is given, then the team usually complies with the rule.

• Anyone kicking a ball away in anger or frustration will now be forced to retrieve it. This has occurred in the past but mostly the ball stays within the ground. Sometimes the ball gets kicked over the fence and this is when the person will be forced to retrieve it (unless a passer-by throws it back). Be warned, if you have no substitutes then you'll be playing with 5 men while the idiot is forced to get the ball. This rule is going to be implemented immediately.

Player signing and transfers are much more flexible this season. A few examples come to mind:

McClusky played once for Sassco.co.uk. He then was called up by Sporting Redhouse. This is acceptable, but he's tied to Sporting for a minimum of three games (or weeks) before he can play for anyone else. So he's okay to play for Sporting at any time in those three weeks (or not if that's the case). For example, he can play for Sporting for three consecutive games and then is free to join, say, MFS. He will then have to play out three games/weeks for MFS before joining someone else.

Luckily, the Sassco League has never had a problem with "ringers" coming in for big games. Most of the teams understand that they need to be loyal to their players as getting rid of the regulars eventually leads to player shortages when the "superstars" tend to drop them in it.

-23rd June 2005| back to top

Boiling point for Hylton Castle.

Sangha scores*. MFS secure another win. Brilliant draw for Sporting Redhouse.

Sassco.co.uk 11 Hylton View 0
With last weeks inept performance behind them, Sassco lost the services of Oliver, Amour and Muers. The loss of Muers was acceptable though. In came Spong, Spence (in goal) and Kelsey, who made all the difference. Hylton View only had five players and Sassco struggled to get the goals in during this time. Two goals ahead and more chances missed before the sixth player turned up gave Sassco some worries. Ironically, a breakaway goal was scored to make it 3-0 and the team visibly relaxed. Eventually 11 goals were secured by Sassco, doing their goal difference a great favour after last weeks disaster v Hylton Castle. Middlemiss scored 6, Gaz 2 and Sangha (yes Sangha!), Kelsey and Spong scored the others.

MFS 2 Hylton Castle 1
Well, what can you say. Hylton Castle are always up for it, which is a good thing. But this time it spilled over with arguments between players of their own team and it flared up quite badly with two lads (Trotter and Gowy) going at it with each other. This obviously put them off their game as MFS quietly took their chances to gain a superb win. Question now is to see whether Ally Hiles, away on holiday can get his place back in the team which did really well under difficult and aggressive conditions. Their opponents, Hylton, were simply put out of their stride by actions off the pitch, but these things tend to happen - especially in the heat. Hylton were probably disappointed after throwing away all the good work after their great win last week.

Southwell FC 1 Sporting Redhouse 1
A vastly depleted team for Sporting took on a full strength Southwell team. It could have been a slaughter, but luckily, replacing Tarnjit "The Acrobatic Eel" Sangha was McClusky (who made one token appearance for Sassco0 and he pulled off saves to his usual high standard. Trevor Walker took full advantage and put Sporting into the lead. However, Wardle secured an equaliser late in the second and his team, based on possession and chances, should have won this one hands down. Also they weren't helped by two late clangers from Wayne Greenwell, although one was a great save from McClusky. This one also nearly flared up with Wardle, Greenwell and Stubba (the usual suspects) at each others throats constantly in the second half as time wore on and the extra two points evaporated.

Southview 2 Surestart 1
Southview's first win hit a stumble in the early stages as Steve Lay fired in the first goal for Surestart, who are now under the control of Rob Weiss. Southview soon got to grips with the encounter and in the second half turned the result around with two goals. Unfortunate for Surestart, but a good first win for Southview as their good football finally returned tangible results. There should have been more goals, but Ronnie Lay, this time safely behind his blue semi-circle, pulled off some great saves.

Surestart are fined £5 for two players wearing different coloured shorts and socks to the rest of their team.

* Sangha has never officially scored a goal in the Tuesday League, despite playing in there since January 2000.

-16th June 2005| back to top

Hylton secure an impressive win.

Southwell against the odds. View make a comeback. MFS brave but beat.

Hylton Castle 4 Sassco.co.uk 1
This should have been a tight game, but it wasn't. Hylton gained an early goal which was slightly against the run of play, but it gave them confidence. Sassco, as the game wore on, got more irritated, but a superb second half free-kick from Amour gave them the equaliser. However, straight from kick off, Middlemiss lost the ball on the flanks and Hylton Castle returned the favour by scoring to give themselves a 2-1 lead. Now Sassco were in the doldrums and began to lash out needlessly. The game fell away from them as Hylton scored more goals in a well deserved 4-1 win. Sassco, presenting five players from the West Denton game acted exactly like the heathens from Sunday and should have took note. You don't get anything by lashing out and trying to act hard.

Hylton View 5 Surestart 2
Surestart came up against a full and well organised Hylton View team. But it didn't affect them. They raced into a superb two goal lead before Hylton View made a dramatic comeback. 2-2 it was before Surestart could get a breather. The end of the game was a 5-2 scoreline for View's first win. Shows what a little bit of good organisation can do for you.

Sporting Redhouse 5 MFS 2
MFS again struggled with players and could only manage to get five lads there, including George Hanson, who previously played in the league. They were up against Sporting Redhouse and were expecting a slaughtering. It didn't come. Sporting were strangely lethargic and only scored late in the half. Amazingly, MFS equalised and put Sporting on the back foot. However, further goals ensured a Sporting win before MFS again pegged the favourites back to make the scoreline more respectable.

Southwell FC 1 Southview 0
Southview were again very impressive and should have took the lead against the Champions on several occasions. However, the post and Stubbs came to the rescue, before, late in the game, Wardle stole the ball off Brian Marley and scored the only goal. They could have had another, but the inept Wayne Greenwell, put his penalty to the side of the post. Nevertheless, a very good win with a depleted line up and another disappointment from Southview. But Southview have faced the two strongest teams in the League and are surely expected a win against Surestart next week,.

-9th June 2005| back to top

Goal fest for Southwell and Sporting.

Hylton Castle get a great win v Southview. Sassco defeat MFS.

Sassco.co.uk 4 MFS 1
With no Muers, Oliver or Kelsey, Sassco still managed to put together a competent enough team with Sammut and McClusky (from Redhouse Youth) filling in the blanks. Middlemiss and Anderson were again on form in attack and secured four goals, shared amongst themselves before MFS struck a consolation in the second half. It could have been different. Sammut lost all his bearings and stepped into the box. MFS screwed their penalty wide, but even so, McClusky dove the right way. So that was MFS' major chance which they didn't put away. It led to a good win and good performance from Sassco.

Southwell FC 8 Surestart 0
A stubborn performance from Surestart was taken apart by several goals from the Southwell team. The first few minutes saw an onslaught being repelled by goalkeeper, Ronnie Lay, before Southwell got the first goal. It calmed their nerves and despite some promising Surestart breakaways, it was Southwell who scored goal after goal. The team seems to be coming into it's own now and can boast a proud 100% record which matches Sporting Redhouse's record.

Sporting Redhouse 11 (eleven) Hylton View 1
It was actually Hylton View who scored first! A superb strike left the Sporting 'keeper, Sangha, stranded and embarrassed. But like their previous performances, Hylton View fell apart. Constant bickering amongst themselves allowed Sporting to tot up an interesting goal record. Scott Jobling scored seven, while Michael Ross scored three. Gary Davison was the other scorer in a changed team which also featured Alan Elliott.

Hylton Castle 2 Southview 1
With a very good, albeit losing, performance last week, Southview were slight favourites to edge this one. In the event they were probably outplayed. Hylton Castle showed urgency and came first to every ball and every lost cause. They gained their just rewards when McGowan lashed in just before the break. The second half was more of the same. Southview attempted to play good football out of their predicament, but simply didn't make a strong enough impact. Hylton Castle punished them with a finely taken goal from Mark Cresswell, who particularly played very well. However, despite being out of it, Southview latched on to a mistake by Spiller and grabbed a goal back. Luckily for Hylton Castle, all the hard work put in paid off and they took the points in a tense ending.

-2nd June 2005| back to top

Sassco scorcher!

7 goals past Surestart. MFS against the odds. Neck and neck between Sporting and Southwell.

Sassco.co.uk 7 Surestart 0
Surestart's stubborn resistance came to a crashing end as a revived Sassco, with Kelsey pulling the strings and Gaz Anderson adding more firepower up front, beat them 7-0. Anderson helped himself to a hat-trick while most of the others came away with positives out of the game. Sassco's roll-on-roll-off, for the first time ever, came off well as Kelsey and Middlemiss (with a hat-trick) added to the goals.

Southwell FC 3 Hylton Castle 2
Poor organisation, again, from Southwell led to them bludgeoning Redhouse Youth's (Tuesday) Kevin Snowdon to go in goal for them. He did well. The opponents were Hylton Castle and this was a clash of the 100%ers. Despite the bad set up and Forrest turning up late for Southwell, they took the lead. Jeff Clark stole through and expertly slotted past the 'keeper. But Hylton Castle were never out of it and managed to equalise as Danny Hodgson walloped the ball past the hapless Snowdon. Yet more bad news for Hylton when Southwell gained an easy goal followed by a superb strike from Jimmy "Crouch." Hylton seemed down and out before McGowan reduced the arrears. But that was it. Problems in scoring freely for Hylton Castle cost them, in the same way as it cost them on the Tuesday encounter against Southwell's more professional outfit, Crown. Southwell took the points and now move clear of Hylton.

MFS 2 Hylton View 0
With kick off looming and only four available players, MFS looked doomed. However, last minute additions gave them the full complement, but still, one would expect Hylton View to manage to scrape past a hastily put together team. It didn't happen. Hiles and Ames scored either side of the half and proceeded to watch an increasingly disillusioned Hylton View team lash out on top of arguing amongst themselves. A good result for MFS after their debut disaster, but a very poor result for Hylton View who face far stronger teams now.

Sporting Redhouse 2 Southview 0
The 8th (and final) entrant to the league made a very promising opening. Brian Marley's youthful team drove rings around Sporting's more capable and physical outfit, but couldn't get past veteran 'keeper, Tarnjit Sangha, as everything hit him (including John Hunt's car). A stunning opener from the Traitor gave Sporting a good lead as their opponents, although playing well, lacked a killer touch in front of goal. Alfie Leithes was off the oxygen and on the pitch and his physical presence helped the team out. An early second half strike from Walker settled the issue as Sporting are ahead on goal difference at the top.

-26th May 2005| back to top

Sporting, Hylton and Southwell at the top.

All three defeat their opponents and are now joint on points. Hylton ahead on goal difference.

Hylton Castle 3 Surestart 1
With an impressive win behind them on the opening day, Hylton Castle signalled their intentions early against Surestart. Richie Press' team lacked punch up front, but as last week, they were stubborn and very difficult to break down. However, hotshot Chris McGowan managed to help himself to two strikes before Cresswell (who came on late in the game) scored the other. Surestart's goal came from Stephen Lay. Hylton now head the pack on goal difference.

Southwell FC 5 Master Fix Systems (MFS) 1
The new side under the control of Ally Hiles gave Southwell a bit of a shock by managing to equalise within minutes of Southwell scoring. But with Southwell's experience and this time having a better organised unit (after suffering the indignity of a £5 fine last week) they managed to arrange a kit in time and performed the better for it. Greenwell and Stubbs (in goal) played and Southwell gained an eventual 5-1 win

Sporting Redhouse 4 Sassco.co.uk 1
After a disaster of a defeat last week, Sassco were struggling again this week. Muers, Middlemiss and Kelsey were all missing, but adequate replacements in Harper, Gavin Wilson and Gary Tyzack came on board. However, unlucky (or was it poor) finishing and Harper receiving an extra anal hole from John Hunt saw the Sassco team 3-0 down. Hunt was tearing the team to shreds and by the start of the second half, the damage had been done. For Sporting, the changes were Michael Ross and Trevor Walker, who performed better than their opposites. A more promising performance in the second for Sassco, saw several shots on goal and saves from the dodgy Sporting 'keeper. Sassco also whacked the post on several occasions. But an extra goal from Walker soon put pay to any hopes. A cracking game though, very enjoyable - for Sporting.

Southwell were fined £5 for incorrect kit worn the previous week.

-19th May 2005| back to top

Hylton Castle storm to the top.

7-1 win over View. Sporting win 3-1. The Champs comeback to win.

The league didn't get off to the best start. The current Champions, Southwell, turned up looking like a bunch of beggars. A fine was issued of £5 for the failure to get their kit in order. Michael Booth will now be classed as co-manager and should add a semblance of order to the team which is deteriorating and would have been kicked out of the league with immediate effect, had Booth not agreed to sort out the kit problem.

Southwell FC 4 Sassco.co.uk 3
The game they played was against Sassco, and despite a slow start from both teams, it ended up being a very enjoyable encounter. Sassco raced into a two goal lead from John Oliver and Mark Kelsey. But late in the first, Michael Booth hit back with a header, seeing Muers out of position in goal. This gave the Southwell team some encouragement and while Sassco were arguing amongst themselves, they took an almost unassailable lead. It was 4-2 before Kelsey grabbed one back, but goals from Clark, Booth and Forrest gave Southwell a valuable three points.

Hylton Castle 7 Hylton View 1
Hylton Castle, match ready from the Tuesday league, took on the newcomers, Hylton View. Both sets of players knew each other so it was a bit of a local derby. However, the result was one sided. Hylton Castle truly hammered the Hylton View team with seven goals scored. Chris "Gowy" McGowan, Lee Bainbridge both got two each while Darren Snowball, Mark Cresswell and Keith Moon all got one each. It was a bad start from Hylton View who actually looked quite competent in the pre-season game.

Sporting Redhouse 3 Surestart 1
Surestart were up against it. The awesome Sporting Redhouse, now featuring David "Alfie" Leithes were there to put on a display. It didn't happen though. They struggled to get it together all game. Surestart were hampered by a premature injury, but were solid and dogged and determined to stop Sporting. It was only a late second half penalty which gave Sporting the lead. Alfie stepped up...and missed, before lashing in the rebound. Most would expect Sporting to score more and they did. This time Paul Mouat grabbed the second, but Richie Press, from Surestart, lashed in a superb free-kick past a hapless, Tarnjit Sangha, in goal. A late stunner from Leithes kept the two goal deficit in a very good game and a brilliant debut from Surestart.

AC Yule (www.acyule.com) under Alistair Hiles are the seventh team to enter, so the fixtures have been modified. One team will miss a game each week, but I'm happy to put a friendly on for the missing team though.

-13th May 2005| back to top

Fixtures announced.

For the full list, click here.

Due to the tight schedule, any cancellations will mean a 2-0 win for the opposing team.
If any teams cancels or fails to show up on the day, then they will also have 3 points deducted and be fined £12.
If a team gets a kit fine, then they have to pay that fine prior to their next game, otherwise they could get points deducted.

-13th May 2005| back to top

League starts next week.

Pre-season was successful.

An experimental three game series took place and two of the three games were a success. All the new entrants, Surestart, Hylton View and Hylton Castle were exceptionally well organised. Only the League Champions, Southwell, turned up looking like a bunch of beggars, but their organisation in their competitive games has been excellent - so no worries there. Sporting Redhouse have announced their entrance into the competition, therefore it starts next week with six teams playing each other twice over the course of around ten weeks. Fixtures will be announced soon.

Sassco.co.uk 6 Surestart 1

Surestart were debutantes and it showed as Sassco comfortably won the tie. It was late on when Surestart came back into it and grabbed their goal. A good opener and a good guide for Surestart who should improve.

Southwell 3 Hylton Castle 1

With no official referee available, this tie was a mistake. Firstly, Fatty's team came up looking like a bunch of beggars and needed Muers (from Sassco) to go in goal for them. Greenwell also hobbled off to be replaced by Dave Gourlay (again, from Sassco). It got a bit out of hand and had a proper referee been in, there would have been yellow cards and most likely a red. Nevertheless, Southwell took the game 3-1.

Sassco.co.uk 3 Hylton View 1

Sassco, now with Neil Middlemiss in goal and Muers outfield, suffered an early set back by conceding a goal and spent most of the first half trying to get a grip of the game. The second saw the team tiring but being more direct. An equaliser from Muers was soon added to and the game ended in favour of Sassco. View were good though. Well organised and if they had a few more games under their belt, they would have taken this game easily. It all bodes well for the future.

-5th May 2005| back to top

Pre-season friendly games.

6:30pm start with three games.

Fixture schedule for 12th May 2005.

6:30pm Sassco.co.uk v R. Press

7:00pm Southwell v Hylton Castle

7:30pm Sassco.co.uk v Hylton View (TBC)

-5th May 2005| back to top

Thursday League news.

New teams added.

Current entrants are Southwell, Sassco, Hylton View, Hylton Castle and R Press. Three Horse Shoes are the possible 6th team in, but regardless of that, the League will probably commence. An entrance fee is not needed and probably won't be needed until we get 6 or more teams.

>>> Details to be posted shortly.