Match reports submitted to the Gazette

Fad Continentals entertained Lees Cleaning in what turned out to be a cracking game of football. Both teams had made a very disappointing start to the season being rock bottom without a point between them. Fad started the better and looked anything but a bottom of the league side with their lively young team giving Lees a hard time. Yet again this season Fad were guilty of creating and missing chances and they were made to pay for it when Kevin Crutwell put Lees ahead with a well taken goal. Probably for the first time this season Lees began to believe in themselves and the Lees strike force of TJ Kah and Crutwell were giving the Fad problems. Fad were still well in the game and just before half time equalized through Adam Smith. The second half was an even end to end affair with both sides playing well, particular mention must go to Lees secretary Dave (Cappy) Musgrove who donned his boots and showed his younger colleagues what Sunday morning football is all about being rewarded with the star man for a sterling performance at the heart of Lees defence. With 15 minutes to go it looked like the game would end in a 1-1 draw, however a mix up at the back gifted Fad?s Lee Ebanks with a goal. Lees Cleaning, however what not to be beaten and with minutes remaining, Paul Dixon, in his first game back following a broken leg, went on a fine solo run before smashing home a well deserved equalizer. And so in a game neither side deserved to lose a 2-2 draw was a fitting result.

Also in the Premier division Whiteleas magnificent start to the season came to a crashing halt when they went down 5-0 to a very strong and determined Voyager side. Lee Paul Scroggins picked up the star man for Voyager with his two goals, also on the mark for Voyager were Lee O?Donovan, Steven Jary and sub Paul Jary. Lee Hamilton picked up the star for Leas.

The game of the day in the A division saw Ship come out on top in a five goal thriller against Boldon FC (formerly Boldon Colts). The introduction of substitute John Paul Harbinson made all the difference for Ship as his two goals along with a single from Ian Kinlato saw Ship home 3-2

The match between Jarrow Ellison and Caledonian Athletic saw The Cally looking for retribution for an early season defeat. Ellison started brightly, but some sterling defending, particularly by experience Rob Giles kept The Cally goal intact. This was rewarded when midway thought the first half The Cally took the lead through a Stu Smith header from a corner. This sparked the game into life and Ellison were very unlucky not to be awarded a penalty after a loud appeal for handball. The Cally hit the post just before the break but overall Ellison will have considered themselves unlucky to be behind at half time. Ellison drew level immediately after the restart with a goal that was almost identical to The Cally?s opener, scored by Gary Taylor. The Cally then pressed hard and re-took the lead with a 25 yard deflected effort from MOM Chris Scott. Ellison came back again after a slip in the Cally rearguard allowed Peter Leathead to finish well and make it 2-2. The game could have gone either way with chances at each end but it was The Cally who took all 3 points when some direct approach play saw Tony Tatum latch on to a David Jeynes flicked header and square the ball for Stu Smith to get his 2nd and the winning goal for The Cally.

In the B division Robin Hood started off slowly in their encounter with Riverside Rangers and were two down at the break with goals from Danny Hurst and Stephen Gibson but the never say die attitude of the Robin came to the fore in an action packed second half, the catalyst for the revival was the introduction of Jonathon Matthews who had a hand in all three goals. Stevie Stephenson scoring his first goal for the club on his debut with a shot that just crept past the Riverside keeper after a neat set up by Matthews. The equaliser came from the Robin Striker Aaron Todd who cleverly rounded the keeper to score. At this stage there looked to be only one winner with battling performances from Dan Smith and Micky Urwin getting forward as much as possible and with the midfield pair of Ian Hudson and Chrissy Sinclair dominating affairs and so it was only fitting that the Robin should get the win with a second from Stevie Stephenson again with a helping hand from the Super Sub Matthews.