Sassco.co.uk - 6-a-side and 11-a-side football in Sunderland

End of season show.

Wearview thrash Posithread. Crown beat GBS. Ellie and Sassco beat each other up.

Ellie Leisure 5 Sassco.co.uk 3

The final set of games were essentially meaningless. Sassco, if they could overcome Ellie, would finish in third place, their highest since Season 2. But it ended in a shambles as Sassco, trailing 3-0 before the break, turned a good game into a bickering encounter which soon flared up. Two openers from Tyzack and a superb long range effort from Sammut finished off Sassco. But surprisingly, amidst the chaos, they made a comeback. Goals from Greenwell, Brazier and Middlemiss were hopeful, but a further two from Ellie ended it.

Crown Electrics 3 GBS 0

A double result saw Crown, with goals from Wardle, Staples and a penalty from Tom Robason, finish GBS off. GBS were struggling with organisation and nearly had to play with only five men. The result confirms Crown’s second place, the same as they did in Season 4, 5 and 6.

Wearview Elite 5 Posithread.co.uk 1

Posithread aimed to spoil the party for Wearview, but it simply couldn’t happen. Wearview playing as a team who have finally delivered after coming very close on the Thursday league and also in the past with Lance Roberts. Goals galore from Hembrough and Williamson belied the fact that so many more could have been scored. A good all round performance, but Digga’s superb solo strike for Posi needs to be mentioned.

Wearview: Champions!

A 2-0 win over Crown secures the Trophy.

Wearview Elite 2 Crown Electrics 0

A new name on the League Trophy. The first since October 2000 a staggering four years. But they were clearly worthy winners. Wearview Elite joined the league very late but once in never looked back. A setback against Dalfest in their opener gave cause for concern, but they romped to continuous wins culminating in a tremendous 2-0 wipe out against Crown in August. The only other loss was a game awarded against them due to absence.

Tonight, Crown were hopeful mainly based on their successful Thursday triumph under the same manager, Wardle. But the Crown team is vastly different to the superior Southwell side and Wearview were practically identical to the Thursday unit. This time Crown were no match. An early goal from Hembrough wasn’t replied against. Wardle came close from distance, but was superbly marshalled all the game by Paul “Jacko” Jackson. A player who isn’t exactly mobile and never gets any credit, this time he played to his strengths and defended superbly. His weakest moments are when he has the ball at his feet, but on this occasion he elected to make early, easy passes to his team mates. So it wasn’t surprising when Middlemiss scored a second. There was no way back for a bickering Crown team. The one trophy they truly coveted, once again, is out of their grasp. Select were in their way for four years and now Wearview, a late entry, bar their way. Stubbs was cautioned during the game for swearing at the referee, who commented after the game that a few players on the Crown team were “retards.”

So victory for Wearview with one week to spare. They face off against Posithread next week in a triumphant finale.

Ellie Leisure 5 GBS 1

GBS were clearly struggling, while Ellie were not. A strong performance saw Ellie bludgeon their way to a lead and maintain it with some fantastic football and some excellent shooting. A good win, but Ellie are marooned in 5th place in a league which they were joint favourites to win at the start. No one can forget their amazing run at the end of last season. But this season it was taken apart on the very first day with a 1-0 defeat against Posi.

The challenge for the 7th SFL Cup begins on the 30th November. I need all potential teams to signal their intention to enter (or not) before the 23rd November. The draw is due to be made, but cannot be calculated until all entrants are in.

Teams for the forthcoming cup competition are as follows:

Wearview Elite

Crown Electrics

Sassco.co.uk

Ellie Leisure

Sunderland Housing

GBS

Sporting RV (Paul Blyth)

Fulwell (Keith Jenkins)

Posithread.co.uk

FM Foods TBC

Ryhope TBC

Snowdons (Shaun Snowdon) TBC

Sporting Redhouse (Garry Duggan) TBC

Sporting Club (Tarnjit Sangha) TBC

Salvation Army (Graham Wharton) TBC

Redhouse (Dennis Jackson) TBC

Chaos again.

Posithread gain a win over Housing in the only game.

Posithread.co.uk 5 Sunderland Housing 2

Goals from Amour, Bell, Dixon and two from Hutton secured another win for Posi over Sunderland Housing. This concludes Housing campaign. A below par beginning was transformed once the team had a regular set of players. Logan in goal was a key asset.

Awarded games:

Sassco.co.uk 3 Wearview Elite 0

GBS 3 Dalfest 0
FM Foods 3 Ryhope 0

Sassco romp.

Five against Posi keeps their run going. Ellie labour over Housing. Ryhope’s smash and grab.

Excellent set of three games. All were well organised after the recent chaos. Remember, no games next week due to the SAFC game.

Ryhope 1 GBS 0

Despite being new to the league, GBS overran stalwarts Ryhope and simply couldn’t get the ball into the back of the net. Every meaningful attack was fashioned by GBS, but was squandered, albeit with several saves from Abba in Ryhope’s goal. The sucker punch came near the end. A breakaway led to the goal and the result was locked at 1-0 until the final whistle. Good show from Ryhope though, Alan “Chopper” Slack came off the bench and probably missed the best chance of the game.

Ellie Leisure 2 Sunderland Housing 1

Mitchell was given an ear bashing by Spraggon. Not surprising considering that Ellie had raced into a 2-0 lead and looked as if they were going to swamp Housing. It didn’t happen though. With Ellie’s foot off the pedal, Housing stormed back and grabbed a goal and were truly unlucky to not to gain an equaliser. Despite this, it was three valuable points to Ellie in a good game.

Sassco.co.uk 5 Posithread.co.uk 2

Sassco kept up their impressive run since the 3-0 win over Crown. This time, Middlemiss and Greenwell shared four goals while Flash Gordon got the other. It was a dominating performance. Posi scored when Sassco were 3-0 up and again when 4-2 up. No contest though.

Ellie fight back fails to dent Wearview.

Posi’s late strike gives them the points over GBS.

Chaos again in terms of organisation. Ryhope were late, struggled with any form of kit, which was augmented by the pitch being double booked. The delay meant that games kicked off 15 minutes late.

Crown Electrics 5 Ryhope 0

A promising first half from Ryhope collapsed in the second half when Wardle bagged a hat-trick. Robason scored the goal of the game (if not the night) and Clark nearly matched him with an equally impressive shot. Disaster for Ryhope. Organisation from this previously perfect team has been chaos in the last few weeks, so it isn’t surprising that a heavy defeat ensued.

Wearview 3 Ellie Leisure 2

Looking at the first half, you would have thought it was just another Wearview cruise. Goals from Hembrough (2) and Middlemiss gave them a comfortable start. But Ellie, seemingly unshackled, started to play and goals from Sammut and Tyzack gave hope for an amazing fight back. It never materialised as Wearview held on for an important 3 points.

Sunderland Housing 9 FM Foods 1

The less said the better. FM only had four fit outfield players and in a similar organisational chaos to Ryhope suffered heavily for it. Housing treated it as a training exercise and notched up an impressive 9 goals. More could have come, but they hit the post on several occasions. FM’s goal came from Dave Gourlay.

Posithread.co.uk 3 GBS 2

The best game of the night by far. An opener from Hutton was soon cancelled out in a very even game. Posi again scored from the spot with a goal from Bell before GBS equalised with a miss hit shot which trickled agonisingly (for Posi) into the back of the net. All wasn’t lost though as late on, Jason Amour persevered and won a ball back which was despatched by Dixon. 3-2. An excellent game with end to end action.

As always, with the end of the season upon us, teams are struggling with kits, etc. Ryhope, FM, Housing have all struggled recently. Most of them do have reasons, with Ryhope manager being away recently and also FM Foods changing their manager mid season.

More of the same.

Crown win, Wearview win and Housing win.

To avoid any confusion:

Match Fees for Tuesday are £14 cash or £12 cheque.

Entrance Fee for next season (next year) is still only £20.

The Wednesday League has increased it’s fees, but these aren’t connected with Tuesday’s or Thursdays.

Crown Electrics 3 Dalfest 0

Fatty’s team proved their critics wrong. No longer are they the overweight, weak, impotent useless runners up that they’ve always been classed as. This time it was sweet revenge against Dalfest. With Staples returning to fill in the missing blanks, the team was transformed and Fatty in particular found himself a new lease of life with three handsome goals to his name. The team are back on track but would probably have to watch Wearview slip up before they can hone in for the kill.

Wearview 4 Posithread.co.uk 0

With Hutton’s disastrous and undisciplined regime at an end, it was left to Snowdon to take the team by the scruff of the neck and launch them against Wearview. The Champions elect had a troubled opening, but soon got into their stride. Some stunning goals from distance, including one which somehow crept through an overweight wall, were the highlights. For Posi, it was the return of Dixon, who missed a one on one near the end (welcome back Digga) and also the second appearances for Jason Amour (hit the post with a pile driver again) and John Oliver. Both had positive performances by giving Big Minnie a boot here and there, but it was Minnies team who had the last laugh. Steve Lawson, who’s been derided by his own Manager in the past few weeks and had all the lasses laughing at him, showed them he’s still the boss.

Sunderland Housing 3 GBS 2 (double result)

Having Ginger Wilson return was basically asking for it. No kit and no subs – every inch a superstar. But he wasn’t firing on all cylinders. GBS, with their most positive performance of the season, easily reversed a 1-0 deficit to score two cracking goals. And it was only until the very end when Housing grabbed two improbable goals. With car horns blaring and Spraggon for once not whinging at the ref, it was GBS’s turn to feel like what Housing feel like every week. Chris Harper’s rapidly improving unit now face a tough set of games with Posi and Ryhope in the next two weeks.

Chaotic!

And we’re not talking about Mitchell’s goalkeeping.

Bit of a disaster really. Ryhope didn’t turn up for their double result against Dalfest (so Dalfest get the wins). Ellie couldn’t muster a team v Wearview Elite (so Wearview win again) and Keith Brazier couldn’t make it to ref. Not to concerning really because he’d only have two games referee.

Anyway, the two games which were played were quite good.

Sassco.co.uk 5 GBS1

It amazing what a win over Fatty does for a team. Last weeks impressive 3-0 walloping over the Pennywellites seems to have kicked life into a moribund Sassco team. McNaught was missing, but Pud Jackson replaced him and scored his first goals for Sassco. The team were 3-0 up again, but a good goal from GBS gave the opposition some hope. They’d been having good efforts at goal all game, but most were comfortably (if not nervously) thwarted by Sangha. Eventually Sassco got their fourth to seal the victory. Jackson got a hat-trick, Wayne got 2 and Gore got 1. Also, the game was excellently refereed by Paul Mitchell. . .

Posithread.co.uk 3 Sunderland Housing 0

. . .who had a mare in goal for Housing. With Logan’s missus having his young un, it was left to Mig to pick up the pieces. He had a solid team out, but with Posi now under the control of Snowdon, the team had a positive outing. New signings, Jase Amour and John Oliver, both scored crackers. Both teams conceded obvious penalties, but amazingly both were saved. A late goal from Hood sealed with win. Both teams were strong and both went for it in an enjoyable encounter.

Games awarded

GBS 2 Posithread 0

Dalfest 2 Ryhope 0

Wearview Elite 2 Ellie Leisure 0

Wearview Elite 2 Ryhope 0

Sassco shocker!

Comprehensive 3-0 win against Crown, all but gives Wearview the Title.

Sassco.co.uk 3 Crown Electrics 0

The game nearly kicked off with Sassco only having 4 players. Kelsey was a late drop out, to be replaced by Mickey Drury. Gordon Robson and Greenwell were late as well. The game kicked off five minutes late and it was Crown who had the majority of the opening salvo’s. Sangha saved well from Jeff Clark from distance, but the defence held out well. Later in the half, Sassco started to fight back. Not conceding a goal gave them hope as they came close to opening the scoring. Paul Martin made one crucial stop before the end of the half. The second half started and it was Sassco who opened their account. Greenwell scored and Sassco held tight. An amazing save from Sangha kept it at 1-0 until two further goals from Robson and Drury (one being a free-kick) gave the team a stunning win. Pretty good considering this reversed a 6-1 defeat a few weeks back.

Wearview 7 FM Foods 0

A game without the vast experience of Steve Lawson, saw Wearview come out of their shackles and play some fluid football. They were 3-0 ahead before anyone could blink and eventually four goals from Hembrough, two from Middlemiss and one from Bainbridge, gave them a handsome win. Especially delightful considering Crown had lost. “We don’t need him,” exclaimed Manager, Paul Jackson, in an obvious tirade towards the absent Lawson. “The football was sublime, the movement was rapid. We can’t let ageing posties drag the team down to their own level.” How Lawson will react to this is unknown. Critics suggest that he will bow out, but I for one think he’ll be there, first in line next week to prove them all wrong.

Dour evening.

Ryhope beat Sassco but lose to Ellie. Posi lose to Dalfest and Wearview win again.

Ryhope 2 Sassco.co.uk 0

Sassco, playing against a depleted Ryhope, again failed to take their chances. Shots straight at the ‘keeper combined with two breakaway goals from Pentland meant the inevitable “Sassco 0” result.

Ellie Leisure 2 Ryhope 0

Priest and Tyzack struck against a rapidly wilting Ryhope team to give Ellie their third win in a row (albeit over a gap of a few weeks). Ryhope were aware of their two game stint and had a big squad lined up. Unfortunately for them, four didn’t turn up, so the same team which bravely defeated Sassco had to play again.

Dalfest 2 Posithread.co.uk 0

Posithread were also struggling. In their first game for a while, only five were available. Despite this, they caused Dalfest some early problems before the inevitable goals came. There were only two, but Posithread had their fair share of chances. Hutton’s incessant running was the highlight, but he kept on veering towards his right hand side – something to do with magnets probably…

Crown 2 Sunderland Housing 0

A dour game if there ever was one. With Wardle on the bench after his recent spineless efforts against Wearview and Dalfest, his team fared little better. Highlights were probably Tom Robason’s first goal this season and also Staples wobbly shot which Logan couldn’t prevent going in. The ball actually spent more time over the fence then it did on the pitch.

Wearview 3 GBS 0

GBS, replacing Houlston, performed brilliantly. They were up against Wearview and for any new team, this would be a difficult debut. But with an outstanding goalkeeper, they had their fair share of opportunities at the other. But the inevitable Wearview goals came. This time two crackers from Lawson who was able to deliver his shots better than the letters he’s supposed to deliver. Wearview remain in pole position and look to their eventual clash v Crown Electrics to definitely decide the title.

Housing’s first win!

Sassco edged out by Dalfest. Wearview pummel FM Foods.

Dalfest 1 Sassco.co.uk 0

A full strength Sassco line up started lethargically, giving the ball away in defence to allow Dalfest to snatch the opener. The ball was slightly deflected which didn’t help. Despite this, there was the rest of the game to complete and Sassco immediately responded. A quick break from Greenwell saw him shave the crossbar. But as time was running out, chances were at a premium as both Middlemiss and Greenwell failed to take their opportunities. A draw would have been a fair result, but Sassco’s problem has always been scoring goals. Dalfest now continue their excellent run after last weeks remarkable win over Crown. They’re creeping up behind Crown with one game extra played.

Sunderland Housing 5 FM Foods 3

Mitchell’s nervous prancing about on the sidelines wasn’t too surprising. Housing were comfortable but allowed FM back into the game when it was 4-3 at one stage. A late surge saw Housing pull ahead with another goal to end the scoring. This was their first win, but with their more improved team, it won’t be surprising if they get another few under their belt.

Wearview 9 FM Foods 0

With the fixtures decimated after all the 11-a-side games, FM were persuaded to play twice. They agreed but suffered a heavy defeat. Nine goals from Wearview, with four from Hembrough and four from Middlemiss dented a good first half show from FM. Unfortunately this is McNerney’s last game and I suppose it wasn’t the best time to go out.

Houlston have pulled out of the League. They obviously had major problems in organising kit etc. There’s no point in looking for a replacement as Houlston had only played five games. They will be deleted from the league which will mean teams will lose points against them as well as goals. If anyone is aware of a replacement, then contact me no later than Friday/Saturday. davinder.sangha@sassco.co.uk
Houls

Crown lose again.

Wearview take emphatic advantage. Sassco’s narrow win over FM.

Sassco.co.uk 3 FM Foods 2

A hastily put together Sassco team, with Kelsey, Harper and Leithes coming in, overcame FM Foods by the odd goal in 5. FM opened the scoring when Muers was given two clear opportunities. He scored from the rebound. Despite this, Greenwell lashed in an equaliser and it seemed that the domination was paying off. However, McNerney darted from one end of the field to slot in another goal to give FM the lead again. It was essentially like this all game. Sassco dominating and FM catching them on the break. Sassco’s method came out on top with goals from Kelsey and Robson to settle the tie.

Dalfest 2 Crown Electrics 1

Another disaster for Crown. A lethargic looking team were made to look ordinary by Dalfest’s fast movements. Crown’s normal physical game didn’t work as it didn’t against Wearview. And opponents have locked on to the idea that if you cancel out Wardle, Crown are really going to struggle to score. This was the case as he was shut out. Jeff Clark did grab a consolation, but it was 2-0 at the time and with minutes left it was Dalfest who gained a major scalp once again, having beaten Wearview at the start of the season.

Wearview 5 Sunderland Housing 3

A thoroughly enjoyable game to conclude the evening. Normally the last games are usually moribund encounters, but this one was a cracker. Neil Middlemiss gained all the plaudits with four goals, while Hembrough added to his ever increasing tally. For Housing, Logan was again the highlight making at least five or six saves from almost certain goal attempts. The last game between these was a 1-0 last minute win for Wearview, but for this one, all hell broke loose as both teams dismissed any defensive duties and went for it. Good show from both teams.

Wearview 2 Crown 0.

Record run comes to an end. Baines and Pud Jackson both make comebacks. Ellie’s second win on the trot.

Ryhope 0 Sunderland Housing 0

For once it was Housing who had the incentive to attack, but, like they’ve done all season, they failed to hit the mark when it mattered. Ryhope were making a return after several games out and looked lethargic. They also had a man less. Housing simply didn’t take advantage and it was Ryhope who were more disappointed not to gain all three points. Ironically, this was Housing’s first point since their start, but it was overshadowed by themselves failing to take advantage of the extra body. Christian Baines was making a rare appearance for Housing at the back and held on well to shut out a reasonably fierce Ryhope forward line.

Ellie Leisure 2 Dalfest 1

Ellie continued their decent form into the game against Dalfest. It was tied at 1-1 for quite a while before the deadlock was broken. Dalfest had a depleted team, while Ellie were also lacking some key players. A good game and a good result for Ellie.

Sassco.co.uk 2 Houlston 1

Sassco were under pressure at the start of their game but were briefly liberated by another Wayne Greenwell strike. This didn’t deaden Houlston, though, as they powered on and scored an almost immediate equaliser. It was Greenwell who came to the rescue again as he concluded the scoring. Pud Jackson was making his return to the league after a long while, but was probably weighed down by his Sassco shirt and failed to get his name on the score sheet.

Wearview 2 Crown Electrics 0

The biggest game of the season and also the most important one so far. Crown, as record breakers, were looking for their 11th win in a row to shatter all records (which won’t be broken for a long while). Sporting Redhouse did something similar in Season 1 and also in Season 2, while Select performed miracles from Season 3 to 6. However none could beat the 11 in a row. Wearview went ahead from Hembrough as both teams rattled the posts belonging to their opposition. As time wore on, Crown were increasingly frustrated and Wardle was cautioned. It was late on, when Middlemiss struck the final nail in the coffin. The run was good, but it’s come to an end. Now Wearview and Crown have matching records. Both have won all their games bar one. Wearview lost to Dalfest while Crown have just lost to Wearview.

Crown and Sassco come to blows.

Gibson turns it around for Ellie against unlucky Housing.

Crown Electrics 6 Sassco.co.uk 1

Going 3-1 down in the first half, Sassco immediately began the second with a fight. Kelsey, replacing Middlemiss for this week, and Stubbs came to blows. Both were sent off and it was Sassco who were taken out of their stride. Four easy goals from Wardle with two from Staples condemned Sassco to a heavy defeat. Not surprising really, considering that Sassco have failed to beat any of the major contenders this Season.

Ellie Leisure 2 Sunderland Housing 1

Ellie, after last weeks surprise 1-0 defeat against Posithread, were more confident this week but nearly came unstuck. Housing went 1-0 ahead and stubbornly held on. On two occasions they could have doubled their lead, but as against Wearview, they failed to take advantage. Gibson for Ellie, making his first appearance in quite a while as a second half sub, turned the game on it’s head and grabbed two welcome goals for Ellie to give them a much needed boost with 3 points.

Wearview 3 Houlston1

Houlston struck first against a lethargic Wearview, who weren’t featuring Steve Lawson. It showed as they failed to get into their stride for the first five to ten minutes. Eventually, though, the quality came out on top. Middlemiss, Anderson and Hembrough replied to keep Wearview going strong.

Dalfest 3 FM Foods 2

A weak goalkeeper was the reason for the result. FM Foods played exceptionally well, with McNerney and Dunston pulling the strings. However, their back line’s confidence was shattered as their keeper conceded easy goals. For Dalfest, this was a positive result after last weeks setback against Wearview.

Another Posithread surprise.

Houlston gain their first resounding win.

Houlston 4 FM Foods 0

A hastily put together Houlston team destroyed FM. Houlston, who had a brilliant performance v Ryhope in their previous game, struck early and never really looked back. When it was 2-0, FM had opportunities, but squandered them or saw them saved. A good win, and a first win, for Houlston.

Posithread.co.uk 1 Ellie Leisure 0

A major surprise. Ellie, returning after their enforced absence, brought along a large squad whereas Posi struggled to churn out six players. Despite this, they gave as good as they got in an excellent game. Hutton struck in the second half and despite chances at either end, it was Posi who took the points.

Wearview 3 Dalfest 1

Wearview struck sweet revenge against Dalfest. A blistering performance from Neil Middlemiss left them gasping and with a 3-0 lead, it was obvious that Dalfest, who themselves, despite gaining win after win, actually seemed to peak after their 4-2 win over Wearview earlier in the season. Scott Hembrough scored one goal, while Middlemiss struck the other two. Both Anderson and Conifey were missing for Wearview so even a weakened team is still a strong one.

Crown Electrics 2 Sunderland Housing 0

Two strikes either side of the half from Stubbs gained Crown their ninth win out of nine. Goals aplenty were expected, but didn’t come. Housing were stubborn as always but only really had one half chance for the whole of the game. Their moves broke down in the crucial areas, while Crown couldn’t get the breakthrough they wanted. Wardle was below par and it was left to Stubbs to secure the win. Logan, as always, was excellent for Housing, but unfortunately his team at the other end simply couldn’t hold up the ball to make any use of it.

Unlucky Logan.

Last minute strike from Hembrough prevents Housing’s first point.

Crown 3 FM Foods 0

Fatty’s team, with two goals from himself, kept their 100% going and look like they could be breaking a previous record set by Sporting Redhouse back in the early seasons. FM were a pale shadow of themselves and with Muers in goal, the writing was on the wall.

Dalfest 2 Posithread.co.uk 0

Dalfest grabbed another win to rise up in the table into second place. Posithread, after a good opening simply can’t seem to get back into their stride.

Sassco.co.uk 5 Sunderland Housing 2

A more solid Housing team looked as if they would give Sassco a tough game, but within minutes it was clear that Sassco were far more superior. A superb hat-trick from Robson as well as two goals from Middlemiss and Greenwell cancelled out Joe Middleton’s and Scott Johnson’s strikes for Housing.

Wearview 1 Sunderland Housing 0

A brilliant game littered with incident. First Neil Middlemiss gets whacked in the mush with the ball to increase the entertainment value. Wearview dominate, but miss a penalty. Logan makes some cracking saves all night. And it wasn’t until the final minute when Hembrough’s strike took a minor deflection but didn’t change a great deal of direction. The speed of it was too much for Logan as Wearview went 1-0 ahead and held on.

Leading Goalscorers
Wayne Greenwell	Sassco.co.uk	13
Jon Wardle	Crown Electrics	13
John Turvey	Dalfest	8
Chris Middlemiss	Sassco.co.uk	7
Danny Pentland	Ryhope	7
"Flash" Gordon Robson	Sassco.co.uk	6
Lee Collins	Dalfest	6
Scott Hembrough	Wearview Elite	5
Phil McNerney	FM Foods	5
Jeff Clark	Crown Electrics	5
Steve Stubbs	Crown Electrics	5

Wearview keep going.

Good performances from Houlston and Housing.

Logan, for Housing, pulls off another save against Dalfest - who eventually scored the only goal of the game.

Wearview 2 Sassco.co.uk 0

Wearview dominated after an evenly balanced first half. Greenwell came close for Sassco, but they were left pinging the ball about in their own half and losing it in Wearview’s half. Goals either side of the interval, from Williamson and Neil Middlemiss settled the issue.

Dalfest 1 Sunderland Housing 0

After the superb win over Wearview, last week, Dalfest struggled against a resilient Housing side and only managed to score the single goal to take the points. It was progress, though, as Housing are clearly improving by the week.

Crown Electrics 3 Posithread.co.uk 1

Another bad result for Posi, but a positive one for Crown who remain unbeaten in their quest for the elusive title.

Ryhope 1 Houlston 0

Houlston matched Housing and performed fantastically against a strong Ryhope team. Both teams were physical and Chris Johnson in goal for Houlston was particularly outstanding. The only goal from Pentland settled the game in Ryhope’s favour

FM Foods 6 Ellie Leisure 1

Disappointing from Ellie again, as they struggled with 5 players. FM eventually tore into them and six impressive goals to only one reply wasn’t really a fair result. Ellie decided to take a break after this one to recharge their batteries.

Crown six points clear.

Wearview shock Ryhope with a 4-1 score line.

Sassco.co.uk 6 Sunderland Housing 1

After last week’s spirited performance against Ryhope, Sassco were very wary of Sunderland Housing. But despite this, they looked lethargic, albeit dominant, in the first half. The deadlock was broken with a superb Robson goal just before the break. However, within moments of the kick-off, Spraggon stole behind his marker and clipped in an equaliser. This actually kicked Sassco into life as they began to turn their domination and chances into goals. Logan was finally beaten to make it 2-1 and the eventual score was 6-1. A hat-trick from Middlemiss and one a piece from Brazier and Greenwell.

Dalfest 5 Houlston 0

Houlston, making their debut were given a rude shock. Despite a strong-willed opening, they soon conceded and then it was Dalfest’s turn to toy with them. Obviously the most improved team of the debutantes, the win puts them into third place. Goals from Collins (2), the ever impressive Turvey (2) and Mowbray set them on their way.

Wearview 4 Ryhope 1

The score line doesn’t really paint the picture of the game as a whole. Both teams were dominant in their own possession, but Wearview converted their chances. Three goals (two stunners) from Hembrough gave them a deserved win with a very depleted line up. Lawson grabbed the other goal as Wearview finally get off the mark.

Crown 1 Ellie Leisure 0

Ellie dragged Ian Butler out of retirement for their critical encounter against Crown. This time, Gibson and Tyzack were both missing again and it showed. It was a fairly balanced game with chances at a premium. Stubbs broke the deadlock near the end after Ellie had hit the post and came close. Butler did well in goal as he made several key saves, but he was unable to keep out Stubbs late winner.

FM Foods 2 Posithread.co.uk

More disappointment for Posithread. Without Gourlay and Snowdon, the team dominated FM Foods but failed to convert their chances. Opportunities from Dixon and Gillespie were both squandered as Posi desperately tried to nullify a FM early goal. Late on, however, it was all over. A delightful step over and dummy end up with a goal – the second and final goal. FM Foods first win in a very strong performance, but Dixon and co. will rue their missed chances.

Dalfest 4 Wearview 3

Sassco bounce back, Ellie flattened.

Dalfest 4 Wearview 3

A completely inexplicable result. Wearview, considered amongst the four top teams in this league – and rightly so, were facing Dalfest who had just decimated FM Foods thirty minutes previously. Wearview were making their debut and with two goals on the scoreboard in the opening session, it was expected to be normal service. Yet Dalfest, who increasingly played with such confidence, clawed it back to 2-2. Wearview were on the ropes, but as expected, they scored to make it 3-2. Hembrough, Williamson, Anderson and all the usual superstars were there, but Dalfest scored again! and again! 4-3 was the final result. A shocker for Wearview, who were clearly caught cold, but a truly outstanding performance from Dalfest.

Sassco.co.uk 6 Posithread.co.uk 1

After last week’s lamentable drubbing off Ellie, Sassco decided to take it seriously and hauled Brazier back in defence alongside McNaught. They were both to monitor Dixon and Gourlay and make sure that they didn’t get the space they required. Sassco dominated. Posithread were without Hutton, who would have made a difference, but it wasn’t long before Greenwell and Robson made their mark. Gore scored two (included one penalty) and Greenwell grabbed a hat-trick (with one penalty). Middlemiss scored the other. Dixon did make it 3-1 at one stage, but Sassco were simply strolling around the pitch with most of the possession to take an impressive win.

Ryhope 2 Sunderland Housing 1

Sunderland Housing were expecting the worse. A rampant Ryhope team wasn’t the best choice for opposition at this early stage in their campaign, but shockingly they opened with one of the best goals seen in the last few seasons. A long range shot, somehow swerved at an impossible angle to hit the top corner. They were 1-0 up from Craig Smith. Ryhope did get back into the game and with two goals from Mooney and Pentland, they secured a win. But Housing take the accolades. A 100% improvement as the team battled for every ball and came away with their confidence restored.

Crown 4 Ellie Leisure 2

The big game of the night was a let down. Ellie only have five players and were obviously going to struggle. Despite the advantage, Crown were lethargic. An opening goal from Wardle was nearly cancelled out when Harrison broke through, but as with all spurned chances, Stubbs went down the other end and scored to make it 2-0. Ellie did actually get two goals back, but Crown were probably overconfident and this seeped through. Luckily they’d scored a total of four goals to make sure of the win. An important game – a big let down.

Dalfest 5 FM Foods 1

FM Foods were returning to action after their positive 3-2 loss v Posi a few weeks back. But this time they were dealt a blow. Signs of Dalfest’s 4-3 Wearview win were shown in this game. McNerney’s team simply couldn’t cope and the positive result for Dalfest would raise their expectations when they beat Wearview later in the evening.

Crown 100%.

Sassco’s heavy defeat off Ellie.

Crown Electrics 1 Ryhope 0

Crown carved out another 1-0 win over their fellow rivals. Similar to the 1-0 over Posithread, they scored early and held on to the lead. The goal came from Wardle and his team survived several scares to keep up their 100% record in the league.

Ellie Leisure 5 Sassco.co.uk 2
Sassco were overconfident against Ellie and suffered badly as a result. They were 3-0 down within minutes and never recovered. A perfectly executed brace from Sammut was augmented with two from Gibson and one from Tyzack. In Ellie’s best performance of the season so far, they controlled the game and had several shots on goal. Sassco did manage to carve out two excellent goals from Middlemiss and Greenwell, but these weren’t enough. Ellie secured an impressive 5-2 win and based on this performance, it seems a surprise that they lost to Ryhope and Posithread.co.uk.

Dalfest 2 Sunderland Housing 0

Two teams without a win, Dalfest and Sunderland Housing took to the field, both looking for their first points. They went, as expected to Dalfest. A soft opener was followed minutes later by a stunning strike from distance through a crowd of players. The two goals were the only goals in a dour game with Dalfest gaining the upper hand. Spraggon was making his long awaited debut for Housing, but it’s a far cry from his Double-winning season with Sporting back in Season 1 and his heroics for the equally successful Team Coulson.

Crown head the table.

Ryhope take their second major scalp.

The first real major clash of the season was Ellie against Ryhope. Ellie were considered pre-season favourites and Ryhope had defeated both Sassco and FM Foods, to head the table. A single goal from Andrew Collier was good enough to seal the win. A more weakened Ellie team tried hard to get back in the game and Tyzack was the focal point. However, he had an off day as did Ellie, who are now in fifth position.

Ryhope were knocked off the top though. Crown’s magnificent 7-0 win over debutantes, Sunderland Housing, swept them to the top. Logan for Housing was man-of-the-match, but he failed to stop Wardle’s four goals and Jeff Clarks stunning hat-trick. Crown have now defeated FM and Housing with a strong scoreline, along with a 1-0 win over Posi.

Sassco.co.uk came out of the blocks fast and took the game to a much improved Dalfest team. Dalfest showed more promise which was seen after they equalised against Ellie the week before. However two goals from Greenwell, either side of the half, and a combination of good keeping saw Sassco keep the 2-0 lead.

Posithread shrugged off their 1-0 defeat to Crown and faced FM Foods with a positive attitude. A 3-2 win, however, reveals that FM Foods are rapidly improving. An injury to one of their players dented any real hope, but nevertheless, they should develop over the next few weeks having already played the stronger teams in the league.

Ellie turn the corner.

Ryhope head the table.

An opening salvo from Ryhope saw them race into a 2 goal lead with around two minutes on the clock. FM Foods, spearheaded by Phil McNerney, failed to pose a challenge. Joe Dove scored three while goals were shared by Barry Bartell, Andy Collier, George Lavelle and Danny Pentland. The 7-0 win puts them at the top.

Being caught cold by Posithread, last week, was one thing, but suffering an equaliser, and a headed equaliser at that, was a blow for Ellie. The team simply hasn’t started playing at all yet, but they soon shot into life and gained the upper hand. The final 4-1 scoreline was quite comfortable in the end.

Crown soon dented Posithread’s promising start with a single goal win. As the scoreline suggests, the game was tense and very tight. Posithread were aiming for an equaliser and put a great deal of pressure on, but Crown prevented them to keep them with a 100% record and no goals conceded.

Finally, FM Foods faced off against Sassco in their second game of the night. The first half yielded only one goal, from Gash Brazier, as FM Foods had their fair share of chances. But Sassco dominated and Wayne Greenwell got four to his name. Brazier weighed in with two while Middlemiss scored one. Michael Ames actually scored a consolation for FM Foods late on.

Crown on a high.

Posithread’s good start.

Some unlikely results dominated the opening day. Ryhope faced off against a much more improved Sassco team, which soon came unstuck. A second half clanger from Davinder Sangha allowed Ryhope to take the lead. They held on to it doggedly until one of the Ryhope players stepped into the box. Middlemiss stepped up to see his shot saved only to see the rebound penalise the Ryhope team as one of their guys stepped into the box again. The penalty was taken by Greenwell, who launched it into the air. Fortunately for Sassco, it was again awarded for infringement and this time went in. Ryhope got their just rewards eventually as a shot deflected off McNaught to squeeze in.

Another surprise in the second game. Dixon, now playing for of Posithread, added his strike rate and scored the only goal against the joint favourites, Ellie Leisure. Dixon and Gillespie featured for Posithread, while Sammut, deputising as Manager for Harrison, couldn’t have got off to a worse opening. The team was quite strong with Gibson and Tyzack featuring, but were caught cold.

Finally, Crown showed true opening form and blitzed McNerney’s inexperienced team by six goals to nil. Doubles from Wardle, Baker and two stunners from Stubba set the new favourites firmly on top. McNerney drove his team on with some surging runs but all in vain.

More teams are due to enter of the next few weeks. The competition will be staggered as quite a few teams will be cancelling fixtures in September to coincide with the 11-a-side season.

Season 7.

The Champions take a break.

Select, unquestionable winners of the League and the Super League will not be entering into Season 7 of the Tuesday League. Only 6 teams are in which mirrors the Thursday League.

Ryhope, Sassco, Posithread, JJFC, Crown and Ellie are the six entrants. The latter two would be considered joint favourites, but it should be the most intriguing season to date. Since Season 1, there have always been dominant teams. In Season 1 it was Sporting Redhouse followed by Herrenknecht (Sassco). In Season 2 it was Sporting and Royal Mail. Seasons 3 to 6 saw Select dominate with only Crown showing a meek challenge, although they did win two recent cup competitions.

All six teams are considered almost equal to each other so it is, for once, open for all.