-1st April 2008 | back to top

Sassco shock the favourites in the Final.

Sassco pictured with the AGUK Super League Trophy. Back row are David Simpson, Dave Gourlay, Simon Mulvaney, Davinder Sangha. Sitting are Stephen Lewis, Mark Cresswell and Keith Mouat.

Sassco.co.uk 0 Sporting Redhouse 0 Final
Sassco won 3-1 on penalties

An unexpected conclusion to the AGUK Super League as the rank outsiders, Sassco - a team which crept into the last four, triumphed with a rare 0-0 draw and a shoot out victory.

Sporting Redhouse were overwhelming favourites against an improved Sassco team. Sassco presented the same line up as in their tremendous Semi Final victory over the holders. Simpson, Mulvaney, Sangha, Gourlay, Mouat, Lewis and Cresswell. The disappointment to anyone independent was that Sporting, with a dream team line up of Sangha, Williamson, Walker, Anderson, Davison, Harrison and Cromack - all who'd won countless trophies in the Sassco League, would probably triumph and thus gain the Treble. However, Sassco had their own plans in place. The wind was shocking and worked fully in Sassco's favour. Both teams played it on the floor, but the wind was preventing any quick breaks. Sporting had the lions share in the opening half with a few misplaced passes from Sassco letting them in. But Simpson, who controversially replaced Logan in the last few League games, was sure to every shot. But saying that, none of the shots were devastating and were more like snatched shots. 0-0 at half time and in the second, Sassco seemed to be coping quite well as their forays into the Sporting half were more frequent. Yet despite this, Sassco failed to muster a single shot on target and eventually retreated into their negative shell, with Mulvaney remaining deep thus adding a third defender to the team. Sporting were frustrated. Harrison was the main threat, but surprisingly, Steve Anderson, widely regarded as the overall best player within the League wasn't a threat at all.

So, just like the last time Sassco were in a Tuesday final it went to penalties (They lost against Crown back in Season 5 in the same competition). Sassco were jubilant as the penalties started and Sporting looked visibly gutted. Cresswell fired in the opener for Sassco and it was 1-0. Billy Harrison walloped his in so it was 1-1. Then it was down to Gourlay, who's shot crashed in off of the roof of the net. Then, the villain of the piece, the team hopping Traitor finally got his comeuppance as Simpson shut out his shot. 2-1 and Sassco's Stephen Lewis stepped up and rammed home the winner.

A glorious end for Sassco as they gained their first trophy on a Tuesday since their Season 4 victory (ironically also over Sporting) back in 2001.

-25th March 2008 | back to top

Sassco shock the holders.

with a 2-1 win over AFC. Sporting cruise past a poor Youth's.

Click here to give your opinion on these games as well as any other Sassco related subject.

Sporting Redhouse 4 Redhouse Youth 0
After last weeks excellent 1-1 draw against AFC, Redhouse Youth's put in an insipid performance as they lamely went out of the Cup. Barely a shot on Sporting's goal in the first half was in contrast to Sporting's two well taken strikes. At half time, the fortunes turned slightly as the Youth's pressed on, but a breakaway goal to send Sporting away at 3-0 meant that the mountain was way too high to climb for the Youth's. A goal scored at a tight angle completed the humiliation for the Youth's team who just haven't been firing on all cylinders since the introduction of Hembrough and Murton. Ironically, the two superstars were absent from their encounter against AFC last week and, no doubt, will be plying their trade in the USA Major League Soccer once their career with the Youth's ends.

Sassco.co.uk 2 AFC Redhouse 1
A shocker of a result, but it was "now or never" as Sassco's supremo, Davinder Sangha, challenged his troops. His reasoning was that this was the strongest Sassco team out for a long time as Keith Mouat was back and the mythical Dave Gourlay came in as the seventh man, with Simon Mulvaney also making an appearance. AFC were missing Flash Jordan. But as they were unbeaten, the holders and also the favourites to retain their crown, they really didn't need to worry and everyone wanted to play Sassco as they were unquestionably the weakest of the four Semi Finalists.

Sassco came out of the blocks the quickest and limited the chances made by AFC. A free-kick from Keith Mouat broke the deadlock, just after Mark Cresswell's goal was disallowed. But as Sassco were ahead in their group encounter (which they lost 3-1) meant that they had it all to do. Lewis, in the second half, drove through his Saturday team mates and scored a superb second goal to make it 2-0. From then on Sassco defended desperately, with great blocks from Mouat, Sangha and Mulvaney. AFC shot either high or wide and Simma made a few good stops to keep Sassco in it. Charlie scored with around five minutes remaining to make it 2-1 and everyone waited for the inevitable AFC equaliser. It didn't come and time was played out to send Sassco, unexpectedly into the Final - their first appearance since Season 5. It's also extra ammunition for Cressy as well as he's trying to impress this bird who's showing no interest in him whatsoever. Maybe bringing the trophy home might impress her.

Gash was quite gracious in defeat. "Well done Sassco. Took their chances unlike AFC and hopefully they will win instead of the corrupt and universally hated Sporting Redhouse. A team who seem to have bribed their way into the Final. Rumours are abound about an impending transfer for Hembrough to Sporting, which explains his impotent performance in the other Semi Final."

Witherwack 4 Downhill FC 2
A good start for Witherwack as they opened their Season 12 campaign and a reasonable opening from Downhill. Liam Wooton and Steve Conlin shared the four goals for Witherwack and Mark Bewick and Campbell scored Downhill's. The win puts them joint on points with FC Hendon.

-19th March 2008 | back to top

Semi Finalists are changed.

Table error puts Sassco through instead of Witherwack.

An error in the Super League table. I had Witherwack down for two wins against Downhill when it was actually one. As you can see from last weeks table, they had six games played, but also had one played this week. This puts Sassco into a Semi Final spot.

I've put both team's results below just to make sure that everyone can cross check them.

Sassco.co.uk games
12/02/2008 Sassco.co.uk 3 Witherwack 3
12/02/2008 Sporting Redhouse 6 Sassco.co.uk 1
19/02/2008 Downhill FC 0 Sassco.co.uk 2
04/03/2008 AFC Redhouse 3 Sassco.co.uk 1
11/03/2008 Sassco.co.uk 4 Southwick FC 1
11/03/2008 Redhouse Youth 8 Sassco.co.uk 0

Witherwack games
12/02/2008 Sassco.co.uk 3 Witherwack 3
19/02/2008 Witherwack 0 Southwick FC 3
26/02/2008 Redhouse Youth 0 Witherwack 0
04/03/2008 Sporting Redhouse 4 Witherwack 0
11/03/2008 Witherwack 4 Downhill FC 3
18/03/2008 Witherwack 1 AFC Redhouse 3

AFC Redhouse 1 Redhouse Youth 1
A game to decide positions was concluded as a 1-1 draw. Youths's were in the lead with a Kevin Snowdon strike, but Charlie managed to grab on for AFC. A tough result which was more positive for Youth's. "It wasn't easy," claimed AFC's supremo, Gash Brazier. "We had the unedifying sight of Grant Foster being bullied by Coyney. I'm happy with the point as we've left the first stage unbeaten."

AFC Redhouse 3 Witherwack 1
As mentioned, an error in the table means that the three goals from Gash, Charlie and Flash Jordan Gallagher, put their hated, but not so near rivals Sassco through. Ironically, AFC will bow play Sassco in the Semi Finals, while Sporting face off against the Youths.

FC Hendon 3 ALS 0 - League Game
It was decided to give both ALS and FC Hendon the honour of kicking off the Season 12 campaign. The reports will eventually be shifted in full to the updated Season 12 site once the AGUK Super League is over.

Match report by Brian Watson (ALS)
ALS committed football suicide with schoolboy errors and bad defending and had keeper Scott Montgomery to thank for keeping the score down to three. ALS gifted FC Hendon the perfect start with Adil Ali encroaching in to the area. The resulting penalty was put away with ease from the FC Hendon player. The second FC Hendon goal came from a smart shot which hit the base of the post and rebounded out to the feet of the correct to tap in. So it ended 2-0 at the break. Shortly after the break Hendon were gifted yet another chance. This time John Robson stepping in to the box. However Montgomery saved the spot kick. Hendon put the final nail in the coffin with a three on one break and another goal to McConville's boys. Montgomery then produced some magic between the sticks with a brilliant save - tipping round the post from a long range effort. If FC Hendon can reproduce this form every week then I’m sure they will trouble the big boys in the League.

-13th March 2008 | back to top

The Bunker Newsletter in association with
The Sunderland Music Forum
March 2008
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Thanks to everyone who filled out the Sunderland Music Forum questionnaire last month.
If you still haven't completed one, you still can at www.bunkeruk.com/main/smf.htm

Please pass this onto anyone else you think will fill it in too.

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THE BUNKER HAS DECIDED TO GIVE AWAY OUR LABEL RELEASES AS FREE MP3 DOWNLOADS!!!

The complete list of free tracks can be found on our website. It includes some great tracks from great local bands
from the past few years, including Ambershift, Seventythree, Seven Heroes, Influx and More!!!

Get over www.bunkeruk.com/main/mp3.htm now
to view the whole list of downloads!

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-4th March 2008 | back to top

Semi Finalists are decided.

Only the positions remain to be decided for Sporting, Youths, AFC and Witherwack.

A very disappointing night. Namely, because the appointed referee, Gavin Sloan, failed to show without any explanation. None has been forthcoming yet, so I will take a deep breath before letting loose. It proves my theory of referee's not really understanding that the game needs them to be there and punctual. My thanks go to Stephen Lewis, Anth Pearson and Daniel Campbell for standing in a refereeing the games in truly miserable conditions.

Sporting Redhouse 8 Downhill FC 1
Campbell's superb strike ping ponged off several players before nestling into the back of Sporting Redhouse's goalmouth. Shock? I'm afraid not. The eight goals against, gave it away. Sporting are comfortably into the Semi Finals now, while Downhill hit rock bottom.

Sassco.co.uk 4 ALS 1
ALS suffered an opening defeat in the debut as replacements for Southwick FC. They struck the opener against a changed Sassco side, but Sassco roared back with a superb long range effort from Lewis again. Soon after, Sassco gained a penalty and Lee Cresswell made it 2-1. The second half saw goals from Lee Cresswell and Stephen Lewis to make it a comprehensive 4-1 win.

Witherwack 4 Downhill FC 3
Downhill's second outing was more positive. However, it ended in defeat which also eliminated Sassco from the Semi Finals. Frog grabbed an unlikely hat-trick for Downhill, but Witherwack replied immediately with an extra goal. The win gives Witherwack a Semi Final spot.

Redhouse Youth 8 Sassco.co.uk 0
A bit of a walloping. Sassco were already out and Youth's were already through. Sassco only had five players, who held on bravely, but once a quick two goals went in, most gave up in a game which nearly turned nasty.

FC Hendon played against Witherwack in a late friendly which resulted in a 4-1 win for Hendon.

-4th March 2008 | back to top

All three big guns win.

Southwick vanish without a trace.

Redhouse Youth 3 New Southwick FC 0 - match awarded
Never seen anything like it. New Southwick were there but a man down. Inexplicably, they refused to get on the pitch. I gave them two minutes to do so or they were out of the Cup and also League. ALS now take their place and also their results within this Cup. Unbelievable. It's just a game of football chaps. No need to be scared. Plenty of sides have put out five players in the past.

Sporting Redhouse 3 Witherwack 0
A comprehensive win for Sporting Redhouse over Witherwack. An early goal settled the side and they went on to score two more in quick succession.

AFC Redhouse 3 Sassco.co.uk 1
A more than useful performance from a weakened Sassco team without Cresswell and Mouat. They opened the scoring when Bell (in goal) decided to make hand signals outside the box. Lewis fired in the penalty opener. AFC soon gained a reply and in the second half went on to take a quick lead to 3-1 with Gash Brazier scoring two of the three goals.

Downhill faced off against ALS in their friendly and suffered a 4-1 defeat against a team which is currently unbeaten in the friendlies.

-26th February 2008 | back to top

Charlie gets four against Southwick.

Sporting also beat Southwick. Youth's and Witherwack draw a blank.

Sporting Redhouse 4 New Southwick FC 2
A tight game which was hampered by the wind. Sporting opened the scoring, but Southwick soon roared back with an equaliser. Sporting then took the lead again and were again pegged back. Southwick were missing a few key players for their catch-up double header and succumbed to two late goals from Sporting in a 4-2 defeat.

Redhouse Youths 0 Witherwack 0
The Youths were back in from the cold, but struggled to get past a stubborn Witherwack team in a rare 0-0 tie. Both teams struggled in the conditions and Witherwack would probably consider the result a positive one as they remain in the top four.

AFC Redhouse 8 New Southwick FC 2
Craig Charlton was the star of the night as AFC overcame a weary Southwick side with a massive 8-2 scoreline. Tommy Bell scored two while Gash and Grant scored one each. A massive result which easily confirms the fact that the holders will be taking part in the knock out stage. In fact, Gash has already texted me the list of the AFC team members he wants me to sort out the winners awards for.

A couple of useful friendly games on the night. Sassco really looked disinterested against an ALS (click for the link to their website) team which took the lead and dominated the chances. An injury to Cresswell hampered their chances and Sassco were looking to be put out of their misery with ALS' second goal. It did come, but not from ALS. With around twenty seconds remaining, Stephen Lewis fired in a spectacular long range effort to tie he game.

McClusky's Cauld Lad team suffered a defeat against the new Valley Road FC team controlled by Paul McConville. Valley Road defeated Cauld Lad 4-2 in the final friendly.

-12th February 2008 | back to top

AFC's revenge against Sporting Redhouse.

Witherwack trounced by the New Southwick.

Only Scott Hembrough and Chris Taylor paid their due amounts which means that they are now clear . However, this does mean that Redhouse Youth are being replaced by Kevin McClusky's version for this cup competition, as the full amount of £32 wasn't paid and also the shirts were not returned. Durham FA will have to be informed now regarding the outstanding amounts. The amount due might double and also the individual players will be banned by DCFA. This will now happen automatically and Durham FA will ask me to contact them once the shirts are back and the money paid - then they will lift the ban.

New Southwick FC 3 Witherwack 0
It all came crashing down to earth for Witherwack as the New Southwick side comfortably trounced them. An opener from Rossy was followed up by Scott Johnstone. They never looked back and now it looks like Witherwack have to take some points off Sporting and AFC to be in with a shout.

AFC Redhouse 3 Sporting Redhouse 0
In the increasingly cold conditions, Sporting Redhouse froze as AFC gained revenge with a 3-0 win. A corker from Grant Foster was followed with equally superb strikes from Brooke and also a free-kick from Tommy Bell. A major win and no doubt that these two will probably meet again in the Semi Finals or the Final.

Sassco.co.uk 2 Downhill FC 0
A lethargic performance from Sassco, who never looked out of control. After several chances from the team, Lewis fired in the opener which was added to in spectacular fashion by Cresswell.

Sassco had a second game, a friendly against the new Redhouse Youth team. After a goalless first half, Cresswell, then Muers scored the goals in a 2-0 win.

-12th February 2008 | back to top

Sporting Redhouse shade it against the Youth's.

Witherwack claw it back against Sassco. AFC hit Downhill for six.

More disruption in the Super League. Southwick announced their intention to quit, but a ready made replacement seems to be at hand, with Scott Johnstone (ex Wearview and Max Housing) making a return, with Joe Spraggon in there to keep him in check. They played their first game, which was a 6-2 friendly win against Downhill. They will be making their competitive bow next week.

Sporting Redhouse 2 Redhouse Youth's 1
Redhouse Youth's were facing a sort of make or break game against Sporting. Since boasting their new superstars, Hembrough and Murton, they've struggled against the big boys. This game was a marked improvement as Scott Hembrough almost immediately cancelled out Trevor Walker's opener for Sporting. The game swung from end to end, but right at the death, Billy Harrison fired one in from a very tight angle past the unfortunate Mullen in goal for Youth's. With Southwick's absence, it's unquestionable that Youth's will be in the Semi Finals, but the defeat today was hard to cope with.

Youth's now owe a total of £32 towards the League for two missing payments. The team is suspended and if payment isn't made next week, then the matter will be dealt with by Durham FA, who will double the amounts. We have a strict policy of not allowing arrears to go out of hand. Also, Durham FA policy is to make sure that they are informed within seven days of any arrears.

AFC Redhouse 6 Downhill FC 0
An expected win for AFC as they humbled a poor Downhill side. Goals galore as AFC look to a Semi Final position. Gash was missing, but the "Dream team" of Carlos, Grant, Yes Trigger, Brookie, Charlie and Tommy Bell made it clear that Gash's position was under threat. The AFC team did something they haven't done in a good while - they passed. It's not as if they don't normally do that, but usually the passing ends when the ball reaches Gash.

Sassco.co.uk 3 Witherwack 3
A tremendous performance from Sassco, but it felt like a defeat. Despite going 1-0 down in the first half, they continued the pressure and were rewarded when Stephen Lewis hit the equaliser early in the second. Within minutes, they were 3-1 up with Mickey Donkin and Mark Cresswell hitting the target. Crucially, they took their foot off the pedal and allowed Witherwack back in it with two late goals. Poor defending, but considering that the two previous Sassco performances were heavy defeats against the same opponents bodes only to well for Sassco.

-5th February 2008 | back to top

Sporting Redhouse in pole position.

Witherwack overwhelm Downhill while Youth's narrowly beat them.

Massive disruption at the start of the AGUK Super League. The mish-mash knockout competition has now been superceded by the league format cup. The carefully crafted three groups of three switched over to a two groups of four format, when Wear Consulting struggled to present a team. However, this was kicked to the kerb when Hendon announced that they couldn't make it. Now it's a simple seven team pool. Everyone plays each other once and at the end, the Semi Finals are formed from the top four within the pool.

My thanks go to Sporting Redhouse and Downhill who were able to play two games, back-to-back, to compensate for the absent two teams.

Sporting Redhouse 6 Sassco.co.uk 1
Two games on the trot really didn't affect Sporting at all. Once again, they raced into a two goal lead against a new look Sassco team. At 2-0, Sassco piled on the pressure in the second half and John Hunt scuffed his shot into the back of the net. Just as Sassco almost equalised, Sporting fired one in on the break and ended the game as a contest in a similar fashion to the Cup Final. Three further goals killed Sassco, who are happy to have got the difficult game in the pool out of the way.

Witherwack 5 Downhill FC 0
Witherwack kept the reputation of the new teams (the only one now) on a high. A solid start against Downhill led to a 5-0 hammering. Steve Conlin scored two while the hat-trick went to Liam Wooton. A hugely impressive win; that, allied with their decent performances in the previous cup, mean that Witherwack could scrape into a top four finish depending on their results against the "Big Four."

Redhouse Youth 2 Downhill FC 1
The Youth's, sporting their new shirts gave a good performance against Downhill. Problem for them was that Minnigan, in goal for Downhill, gave even a better one. He managed to thwart all the opportunities taken by the Youth's. Unfortunately, for him, the first goal was a tight angle shot from Kurt Baxendale. Youth's grabbed the second in the second half and normally Downhill would capitulate and concede further goals, but this time Campbell fired in an unstoppable strike to make it 2-1. The scoring ended there. Downhill didn't look likely to score again, but it was a nervous last few minutes for the Youth's who won this competition back in Season 9.

-5th February 2008 | back to top

Sporting Redhouse trash a sorry AFC.

Second part of the Treble achieved.

Standing are Steve Anderson, Tarnjit Sangha, Gary Davison and Trevor Walker. Sitting are Paul Cromack, Billy Harrison and Simon Williamson.

Sporting Redhouse 4 AFC Redhouse 1 Final
Unquestionably, the strongest sides within the competition met in the Final. Sporting Redhouse, freshly crowned as Champions, were facing a determined AFC Redhouse team. Both were reasonably full-strength, but AFC were hampered by the absence of Tommy Bell. It was keenly felt as Sporting powered into a two goal lead. Yet, the second half showed more promise as Brookie fired in a goal to reduce the deficit. Sporting were going to be on the ropes for a while, but a sucker punch knocked the fight and the discipline out of AFC Redhouse, as a 3-1 scoreline was too hard to reduce. An eventual fourth struck for Sporting meant that the second part of the Treble was theirs. Sporting are the only side to have won the Treble within the League and this performance means that it's likely that they'll do it again.

-22nd January 2008 | back to top

Sporting Redhouse, Season 11 League Champions.

Pictured with the Sassco League Trophy.

Standing are Trevor Walker, Tarnjit Sangha, Gary Davison and Steve Anderson. Sitting are Billy Harrison, Simon Williamson and Paul Cromack.

-22nd January 2008 | back to top

Sporting Redhouse and AFC Redhouse cruise into the Final.

AFC overcome a strong Youth team. Sporting and Wear just kick each other.

AFC Redhouse 2 Redhouse Youth 0 Semi Final
A strong looking Redhouse Youth team came undone, unexpectedly, against a scratch AFC team in the first Semi Final. The Open Cup, so far, had been hit and miss due to team withdrawals and eliminated teams being given second chances. The real business was in the Semi Finals, where the four strongest sides appeared. It was Tommy Bell who opened the scoring and Grant's glory goal, which would have made it 2-0, was disallowed, much to his anguish. Yet, even as the Youth's pressed on with their full team of Hembrough, Murton and co., even a hastily drafted McClusky couldn't keep out Charlie's clinical free-kick in the second half. Experience over Youth again, as AFC once again, appear in the Final like they did last time.

Sporting Redhouse 5 Wear Consulting 2 Semi Final
Well rested after their scare and near hiccup against Witherwack in the Quarter's; Sporting came out all guns blazing and overwhelmed a confident looking Wear Consulting team. They raced into an unassailable 3-0 lead, before Tyzack pegged one back for Wear Consulting. However, almost immediately afterwards, Billy Harrison fired in the fourth and his hat-trick. Simon Williamson and Trevor Walker scored the others for Sporting, while Siddall grabbed the other goal for Wear. The game descended into a kicking match with both Mouat's attempting to kick Harrison out of the game. A yellow card was issued to Paul Mouat, but it could have been worse. Sporting now return to a Cup Final, a privilege they last had in Season 8 (it's Season 11 now) back in December 2005. They won the Treble on that occasion.

Tyzack's view was quite different. He thought a combination of poor referring decisions and bad luck cost his team dearly. The first goal, he claimed, wasn't a free-kick and put the whole team off their game. Also, they were not happy with the decision of allowing a Sporting substitute while the ball was in play. However, Tyzack commented that, "Credit to Sporting as they took their chances and are in the final so good luck. We're looking forward to the next Cup competition."

Sassco.co.uk 5 Downhill FC 4 Friendly
A low key, but open game between two teams dumped out at early, but expected, stages of the Cup. Stephen Lewis was the man of the moment as he grabbed four goals in a 5-4 win for Sassco. Downhill didn't give up and kept pegging Sassco back every time.

Witherwack 4 Hendon Grange 2 Friendly
Another impressive result for Witherwack as they look to regroup for the next Cup. They have a manageable group with Downhill and AFC in, so an expected second place finish would put them through. They raced into a 3-0 lead over Hendon, who grabbed a consolation near the end. Witherwack then added a further goal to end the game.

No games next week due to Sunderland AFC v Birmingham on Tuesday night. The week after will see the Open Cup Final between AFC Redhouse and Sporting Redhouse along with some group games in the next cup - the AGUK Super League.

-15th January 2008 | back to top

Southwick lose their Cup without kicking a ball .

Witherwack and Sassco get a second chance. Wear Consulting trounce Hendon Grange.

Witherwack 4 Sassco.co.uk 1 Second Chance Elimination Round
Both these sides had a second chance in the cup. Poor commitment from Southwick meant that they failed to field a team on the day. If it occurs again, then it's likely I can't enter them into the League or next Cup competition as we have other teams within the League who could have been left without games to play. This has made the draw a bit up and down, but essentially gives the teams there a chance to get through and get some match practice.