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VIEW MATCH REPORT

Wednesday 11 Jan 2006
Gateshead & District Sunday League by Steve Wraith
Fiddlers asked questions by a spirited Felling team.

The fixture computer threw up some intruiging fixtures to open the second half of the season in the Gateshead & District League at the weekend and many teams would be hoping that the new year would bring new hope.

The clash of the day saw title favorites Fiddlers Three travel to fifth place Felling. A year to the day Felling were rooted to the bottom of the table and staring Second Division football in the face. A year on and the players have turned around the clubs fortunes.

They started this game brightly and the leagues top scorer Chris Heron should have put his team in front but a last minute challenge by Mickey Laws put the hitman off his strike. Fiddlers hit back with Donnely and Botcherby both going close but they found Dave Liddle in the Felling goal in inspirational form in his return to the team after a lengthy lay off with a broken finger. Felling continued to knock the Fiddlers rearguard and the break through came on 29 minutes when a mix up between Laws and Moore let Heron in who flat footed the keeper and stroked the ball into the net. Felling doubled there advantage five minutes later after a deep ball by Dean Askins found Andrew Wilcox 16 yards out. He guided a looping header over the top of Fiddlers keeper Mickey Foster to the delight of the home crowd. With half-time drawing closer Heron found space at the near post and another Wilcox header after great work by man of the match Scott Garret was guided past Foster to give Felling a 3-0 lead.

Fiddlers switched to an orthodox 4-4-2 in the second half and Mickey Laws switching to midfield changed the game with immediate effect. Some great work by Laws set David Moat free and he made no mistake from ten yards to reduce the deficit. Felling seemed content to push forward and were nearly rewarded when Herons toe poke was cleared off the line by Huggan. It was end to end at this stage of the game and Craig Rolfe stepped up with an hour on the clock, after a goalmouth scamble to pull it back to 2-3. Again Felling strived for the killer goal and Scott Garret came closest with a fine shot that Fiddlers some how kept out.

Felling were now holding on as Fiddlers pressed for the equaliser and it duely arrived on eighty minutes. Felling attempted an offside but Craig Bothcherby beat the trap and cooly lobbed the advancing Liddle from fifteen yards out. Both teams had chances as the final whistle loomed.

Felling conceded a free-kick just outside the box. Botcherby weighed up his options and curled the dead ball over the wall and into the back of the net to steal all three points and cement his teams place at the top of the table.

A great advert for the League and special mention to Referee Paul Youngson who officiated with great aplomb.

Elsewhere Vigo were suffering from a New Years hangover losing 9-1 at home to last years Champions Riverside Lodge. Gregg Peacock did manage a late consolation for the Birtley outfit and it was a contender for goal of the season.

It was certainly a good day for the basement battlers Travellers Rest and Pelaw Social. Travellers won a hard fought contest against Stormont Main by a solitary goal whilst Pelaw gained a point with an entertaining 4-4 draw against Dunston Social. Anth March was the hero of the day with a perfect hat-trick and Jed Manuel got the all important fourth goal to gain a valuable.

Dunston Excelsior beat Allerdene 4-3 whilst Highwayman caught the Duke Of Cumberland cold running out 5-3 winners.

Holmeside also gave themselves a great start to 2006 with a win by the odd goal in seven over Birtley Barley Mow.

In the Second Division it was business as usual for League Leaders Wessington who went against Corporation Club winning 5-1. A Steve Willey double opened the floodgates and he was ably supported by Kris Vipond (2) and Josh Brown.

Bay Horse continued the days 4-3 scoreline trend with a good win over Gloucester and Duke Of Albany shocked Halfway House with a fine 4-2 away win.

Kibblesworth picked up there first win of the season beating Wardley Legion 3-2.

Thomas Wilson showed that they have not given up hope of promotion with a 6-3 win away to Greencroft. Greencrofts started well but it was Wilson who took the lead after a David Dixon cross was side footed into the net by a back tracking defender. Greencroft didn't crumble and were soon level with a cute finish.

Wilson keeper then proved his worth with a fine double save before an incredible penalty save to keep the sides level. As half-time approached Wilson went on the offensive and Coates Rumney and Dixon all hit the bar before a brave Brett Hogan header finally beat the woodwork and nestled in the onion bag. In the second half Greencroft levelled once again but Wilson stepped up a gear and further strikes from Rumney, Dixon, Minikin and new signing Andy McSloy sealed all three points.

Greencrofts never say die attitude was rewarded in the final minutes with a third goal but it was to little to late. ----------------