County Durham Leagues Preview

Jul 19 2008 by Chris West, The Journal

IT could be a case of fortune favouring the brave today as the leading sides take on the strugglers in the Warmseal Durham Senior League.

Burnmoor are currently two points ahead of Hetton Lyons, having won two games fewer – testimony to the benefits of their approach of batting first at every opportunity to maximise points potential. There is little to suggest they will change their tactics at Seaham Harbour today.

Harbour are not clear of danger yet, but after finishing bottom last season their current 10th placing represents progress. However, they will be up against a full strength visiting side.

Hetton Lyons will no doubt be considering a similar policy in their home game with rock bottom Durham City, and their confidence will be at a peak after lifting the D&A Sports Trophy for the first time last Sunday. They put out the cup-winning line-up for this match.

Whitburn show only one change for their game with South Hetton with stand-in keeper Gary Ventress covering for absent glove man Ross Carty. The visitors are without John Pendlington.

Elsewhere Philadelphia welcome Felling to Bunker Hill and bring in Greg Dixon for Connor Cheal, while Horden’s Steven McCoy remains sidelined by his hamstring tear, with Jamie Kitto called up for the home game with Marsden.

Mark Scott is injured and misses out for Marsden, as does Connor Elliott – Nick Quinn and Bret Horgan make timely returns. In the final game of the day Eppleton entertain Boldon.

Readers Durham County Division A League Cup specialists Evenwood hope to make it five wins in eight years when they travel to Shildon tomorrow to contest the 2008 Hunter Cummings Memorial Trophy final.

While both sides have five cup wins to their credit over the 54-year history of the competition, Shildon’s last success was in 1995 while Evenwood have been the most successful team in recent years.

Evenwood spokesman John Teesdale is confident his side has it in them to pull it off again.

“I think we’ve got a great chance, particularly if our pro performs as he can,” he said.

“Our ex-player Chris Peareth is a threat, but we hear that Phil Timmens may not be playing and that would only be in our favour.”

Shildon skipper Timmens will indeed miss the match, but he believes his side still have enough firepower to prevail on the day. The Railwaymen will delay selection to see whether Martin Ferguson will be available.

Shildon also feature in the league’s game of the day at Crook this afternoon, both teams still well in the hunt for championship glory. Greg Upton is absent for the visitors with Gary Davis stepping up, while Marc Boughey returns for Town. Crook skipper Andy Burgess is away but all eyes will be on Faisal Hussain who burst to life last weekend with 231 league runs in two undefeated knocks. The two leading sides take on the two bottom teams as Kimblesworth travel to Brandon and Esh Winning play Etherley, while elsewhere Mainsforth entertain Langley Park, Willington face Tudhoe and Evenwood take on Hylton.

3D Durham Coast League side Castle Eden face an exciting few weeks as they combine the hunt for championship honours with possible glory on the national stage.

Castle are now just two steps from the prestige of a Lord’s final and will try and bring the dream one step closer to reality when they take on top Yorkshire outfit Woodhouse Grange on July 27 in the quarter-finals of the National Village Cup.

But before then the search for league points goes on with a home game against Silksworth today. The hosts name an unchanged side while the visitors welcome back Paul Smaile, David Nield and Phil Middlemiss. Paul Bradford also provides a timely boost as he makes his seasonal debut.

Unchanged Murton will have home advantage against Bill Quay who have Craig Falcus returning and Boldon CA put out the same side who defeated the league leaders last week. Their visitors, Peterlee, will be missing Michael Garraghan but should have both Adam Maddison and Michael Buckingham back.

Seaham Park entertain Easington, with Paul Neasham and David Tarn returning for the visitors, and in today’s final game Dawdon take on Washington.