The final of the Kip Watson Villa Real Cup ended in a 2-1 win for Cramlington Burton House over HARTLEPOOL TOUCHDOWN. Touchdown started slowly and had an early scare before going behind on ten minutes when Robert Baxter from Cramlington broke quickly to score from a narrow angle. That seemed to liven up the Hartlepool side and Bob Smith, Darren Griffiths and Lee Crosby all went close. The pressure told with Scott Newbegin equalising from ten yards when Smith laid the ball off to him. Gary Easson saved right on half-time and repeated the feat at the start of the second half as Touchdown once again started hesitantly. Cramlington went back in front when a shot across the goal by Baxter deceived the goalkeeper went in at the far corner to complete his brace and after that it was end to end. The Northumberland side hit the post and John Graham was inches wide for Touchdown.

Newbegin was man of the match for Touchdown but Craig Melrose from Cramlington was awarded the overall Man of the Match Trophy.

EASINGTON CIU produced their best of the season in beating Blyth Sea Horse 4-0 in the Premier League. Tigger Lyons’ goal separated the teams at half-time. Norman Hird was brought down by the keeper just after the quarter hour mark and Lyons put away the spot kick. CIU continued to take the game to Blyth after the break, and ten minutes in they doubled their lead. Anth Ward hit a twenty yarder that the keeper could only parry and Hird reacted quickest to slot the ball home. Hird was instrumental in the next two goals as well. He latched on to Davy Banks’ lob forward to make it 3-0, and crossed for Ward to pass the ball in to the net to complete the scoring. A great team effort had stand-out performances from Greg Hoyland, Banks, Hird and Graham Langthorne.

In Division One HARTLEPOOL CATHOLIC CLUB lost 2-1 at Consett. The opening quarter of the game was very even but then the home team got on top. Kevin Pout made two great saves and Neil Macdonald cleared off the line, but Consett scored on thirty minutes to lead at the break. Play was end to end in the second period, John Dobing and Anth Young going close and Pout keeping Consett out with four more crucial saves. Then Catholic equalised with ten minutes left through Allan Harll. Dobing’s cross was headed into the air and Harll scored with a spectacular overhead kick. It looked like Catholic would go on to win, Harll and Mick Eglintine going close, but they were caught by a sucker punch in the last two minutes. Pout was star man, along with Nosh Dawkins and Robbie Wright.

HARTLEPOOL GILLEN ARMS suffered their heaviest defeat of the season at home to Ryhope Foresters, losing 3-0. They went behind on ten minutes and were two down from a 25 yard screamer. A mix-up in defence led to the third goal before half-time. Gillens were the better side after the break, going close a couple of times but with no joy. Best for them were Mick Angus, Geoff Bulley and Brian Linighan.

WINGATE CONS CLUB entertained the Division Two leaders Wearmouth CW and gave them a really good game before losing out 1-0. The winning goal came after quarter of an hour, and after that Paul Bestford and Malcolm Fallow went close to grabbing an equaliser. David Simpson and Graeme Nixon were the pick of the Wingate team.

The game of the day in Division Three saw second placed HORDEN SPORTSMANS take on leaders Thornley Celtic, and after a 2-1 win it’s now Horden that are top of the table. They started well but squandered a few chances, Thornley’s keeper pulling off good saves to deny them but then he made a dreadful mistake and Lee Davis capitalised to put Horden in front. The away team levelled with a great strike but Horden battled away and got their reward when man of the match Billy Scott slotted the ball home.

Wallsend Winstons started slightly the better side against Mill View but both defences were well on top with neither keeper having to make a worthwhile save . The second half started much the same as the first with defences dominating . The game suddenly broke into life when Clifton Thompson was fouled in the box and Mill were awarded a penalty . The subsequent penalty was well saved by the Winston's keeper . The game suddenly changed when Mill were reduced to 10 men for a foul the severity of which was disputed by the Mill. Shortly after Winston's opened the scoring when a free kick was bundled home from close range. Mill showed a lot of character and battled bravely creating a couple of good chances late on but were hit on the break in the last minute when Winstons scored their second . Final Score 2- 0 to Winstons who go into the Semi Final against Shildon Grey Horse .

Billingham Vets have lost their scoring skills and it cost them against visitors Woodhorn Lane. Since the start of the year, they have played 12 games and only scored 5 goals. Long term injuries are partly to blame, but the inability to create chances and glaring misses when they do, contribute to the dismal lack of confidence in front of goal.

Both teams played some good football, but the strength of both defences prevailed. Woodhorn,

created the better chances and a header from one corner in the first half, was thundered home by

Gary Rennison. F. T. 0-1. Woodhall now go into the semi-final of the Billy Lorraine Cup against Oddies.

Sunderland Oddies played in the other Semi Final and beat Chester Le Street Waldridge Park 5-1. They took a 5 minute lead through Ralph Dodd then Rowntree made It 2 from the penalty spot before Dodd made it 3 before half time. Colin Cowen got the fourth then with 10 mins to go MOM Ralph Dodd got his hat trick putting Oddies through comfortably Waldridge got a late consolation goal.

Penshaw Catholic took another step towards promotion with a convincing 3-1 victory over Grindon Broadway. They took the lead after 15 minutes through Peter Elliott who headed in at the back post. Grindon did equalise against the run of play early in the second half but Penshaw responded with a header from John Kelly. They finished the game off with a great goal from Henry Thomas. Mom Martin Cowell Penshaw Catholic Club.