Tag: ENL 1

ENL 1 – Durham City Preview

durham

Venue

Dean Street
Shildon
DL4 1EZ

Match Day

21st April 2015
Kick Off: 19:30

Admission Prices
Adults £6.00
Concessions £4.00
Children under 16 free

Current League Position –  12th ENL1
P 41  W 17  D 7  L 17  F 75  A 73  Pts 58

Last Match Played
18th April 2015 – ENL 1
Durham City 0 Ashington 2

Facts
Founded: 1949
Nickname: City
Record Attendance:
Joined Northern League: 2012-13
Home Colours: Yellow shirt, blue shorts and socks
Away Colours:
Website: http://www.durhamcityafc.com/index.php
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/TheCitizensAFC
Facebook:

Durham City A.F.C. – A Brief History (taken from www.durhamcityafc.com)

The club was first inaugurated in the 1918-1919 season and for that season only, operated in the old Victory league, which was formed in celebration of the end of the First World War. Subsequently the team was admitted to the North Eastern League where they played for two seasons before being admitted to Division 3 North in 1921. The club operated in that league until 1928, when they failed to gain re-election and were replaced by Carlisle United F.C. The club immediately rejoined the North Eastern League where they stayed until 1938 when, due to financial constraints, the club was forced to disband. They then became members of the Wearside League but again disbanded in November 1938. The club reformed in 1950 and gained admission to the Wearside League, where they operated until 1952 before joining the Northern League where they remained until 2008. At the end of the 2007/08 season, their second Championship winning season the club finally achieved promotion to the UniBond First Division North.

The club has occupied five different grounds since it’s formation. In their first season the club played at Garden House Park (almost where County Hall now stands) before moving to Kepier Heughs, near to the old Ferens Park ground where they stayed for four seasons. The club then moved on to Holliday Park (named after the late Alderman T.W. Holliday), on Framwellgate Waterside, where they stayed until they disbanded in 1938. The club’s fourth ground, named after the late Alderman H.C. Ferens, was acquired when the club reformed in 1950. Alderman Ferens was for many years, prior to his death in 1975, President of the club and a generous benefactor in connection with the purchase of the land for that ground. Ferens Park was at that time probably one of the most attractive grounds in the Northern League. Set in rural surroundings its facilities included a comfortable clubhouse, a covered stand and floodlights. This ground also hosted the club’s largest attendance, which stands at 7,000, for an F.A. Cup Second Round tie against Tranmere Rovers on 7 November 1957 which City lost 0-3.

City left Ferens Park at the end of their first Championship winning season in 1993-94 but because their ground wasn’t completed on time they were unable to join the Northern Premier League. After ground-sharing with Chester-le-Street Town for a season the club moved to its fifth and current ground – New Ferens Park. Situated in Belmont on the outskirts of the city the purpose built stadium is easily accessible from all major roads, boasts a two storey clubhouse, a 300-seater stand, which also provides covered accommodation for 600 standing spectators, and excellent floodlights.

In the 2007-08 season, City were crowned Northern league Champions for only the second time in their history. This was rewarded with promotion and they duly took their rightful place in the Northern Premier League.

In 2008-09, and at the first time of asking they became Unibond League 1st Division North Champions.

The squad was strengthened during the summer months and yet another successful season looked to be on the cards when the Club’s major sponsor pulled out after only the second game in the Premier League. With no funds to cover expenses etc. there followed an exodus of players. This left the Club only one option in it’s fight for survival.

Players, most of whom were aged between 16-18, from the local academy stepped in and although the Club finished bottom of the league with zero points (even though two victories were notched up) this ensured not only the completion of the fixture list but more importantly, the survival of the Club.

 

The following season was one of consolidation as the club slowly started to rebuild and a lot of hard work and dedication, both on and off the pitch, saw the club gradually re-establish itself. The team management put together a young side and were rewarded with a creditable 9th position finish to the 2011/12 season.

 

However the constant travelling to away games up and down the A1 and the costs involved began to take its toll and a difficult decision had to be made to once again ensure the survival of the Club. At the end of the season it was announced that Durham City AFC had resigned from the Northern Premier League. The Northern Premier League, the FA and the Northern League were all sympathetic and the Club was once again accepted as a member of the Northern League for the 2012/13 season.

In December 2013 former Newcastle United defender Olivier Bernard took over Durham City AFC with a vision of it becoming a community club comprising youth teams from age 6 upwards as well as a reserves team. The intention being to bring success back to the Club which he believes is long overdue and he targets promotion to the National Conference League within 5 – 7 years. 

The arrival of Olivier sparked a turn around in results with the Club looking to finish the 2013/14 season well into the top half of the table. 

 

ENL 1 – Sunderland RCA Result

Shildon AFC Still on Course to Win the League

After a comfortable 4 – 1 away win at Sunderland RCA on Tuesday 21st April 2015, Shildon AFC are still on course to win the league. The Railwaymen have only two league games left, and if they win them both they will be crowned champions. The last time Shildon won the league was the 1939-40 season, some 75 years ago.

A big crowd is expected at Dean Street on Saturday 25th April when the Railwaymen entertain Durham City in their last home game of the season. The following Wednesday 29th April they travel to Bedlington Terriers for their final away game.

Shildon took an early lead on 6 minutes when a cross from Billy Greulich-Smith was fired into his own goal by RCA’s No 4 Lee Bythway.

Ten minutes later it was 2 – 0 when a long ball from Chris Emms found Paul Connor who hustled his way through and beat keeper Carl Morris.

It was all Shildon and before the half hour it was 3 – 0 when a Paul Connor shot hit the bar and keeper Morris punched the ball into his own net for RCA’s second own goal.

Half Time:  Sunderland RCA  0  Shildon AFC  3

It was a similar pattern in the second half with Shildon in control, with Billy Greulich-Smith heading wide and Chris Emms firing over from 6 yards.

Shildon went 4 – 0 up on 67 minutes when a cross from Billy was headed in from close range by Paul Connor.

RCA were unlucky not to score when a cracking long range drive from Michael Charlton hit the bar, with keeper Lewis Graham well beaten.

For Shildon, Chris Emms ran through and beat two defenders but keeper Morris made a good stop.

Near the end RCA pulled a goal back when a corner kick was headed home by James Armstrong.

Final Score:  Sunderland RCA  1  Shildon AFC  4

Goalscorers:  Connor 16, 67 (RCA 2 own Goals)

Subs:  Hodgson for Jones 19, Richardson for Moore 64, Scoggins for Connor 68.

Bookings:  (Y) Harwood 80.

After the match manager Gary Forrest said “Another good display. If we carry on with the same attitude and determination they we’ve got every chance of winning the league. There are only two games left but we must win them both and cannot afford any slip ups”.

Shildon have another important match to play on Tuesday 5th May when they are at Heritage Park, Bishop Auckland in the final of the League Cup against Newton Aycliffe. The kick off is 7 00pm not 7 30pm.

ENL1 – Sunderland RCA Preview

Sunderland RCA

Venue

Meadow Park
Beechbrooke (off Waterworks Road)
Ryhope
Sunderland
SR2 0NZ

Match Day

21st April 2015
Kick Off: 19:30

Admission Prices
Adults £5.00
Children £3.00

Current League Position –  16th ENL1
P 40  W 12  D 8  L 20  F 62  A 83  Pts 44

Last Match Played
18th April 2015 – ENL 1
Sunderland RCA 3 Consett 6

Facts
Founded: 1961
Nickname:
Record Attendance: 1,000+ V Newcastle 1985
Joined Northern League: 1982-83
Home Colours: Red/white halve shirt, black shorts and red socks
Away Colours:
Website: http://www.sunderlandrca.co.uk
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/SunderlandRCA
Facebook:

Club history from www.sunderlandrca.co.uk

Sunderland RCA FC started its life as Ryhope Youth Club. Its first season was in the Seaham & District League in 1963. The first game was against Seaham UDC at the Seaham CW ground, now home to Seaham Red Star, and it was a 3 – 3 draw. The first seeds had been sown three years earlier, in 1960, when the Ryhope Youth Club Centre opened in the Welfare Hall.

In 1965 the club moved to the Colliery Welfare ground and in 1971 changed its name to Ryhope Community Association. Competing in the Seaham, then Houghton & District Leagues, the club enjoyed success with eight cup wins and four league titles.

Rejected by the Wearside League because a Ryhope team already played in it, the club folded after the 1975-75 season. Re-formed three years later, the club joined the Northern Alliance in 1978 and won the League Challenge Cup at St James Park in Newcastle, in only their third season. Ryhope CA were also league runners up that year, even though they were reduced to playing on a school field.

After some persuasion, the ambitious club convinced the council to lease then some derelict land – Meadow Park was underway. Financial help was obtained from Sunderland and Tyne and Wear Councils and the Sports Council to build a football ground. The club members and community joined together to carry out the building work, resulting in the enclosed ground where football games are played and enjoyed today.

In 1982 the club was a founder member of the Northern League Second Division, achieving promotion as runner up in the 1983-84 season. Despite achieving a league placing of tenth the next season, survival proved difficult and the club was relegated in 1988.

In 1999 a new era commenced with the amalgamation with Kennek Roker of the Wearside League to form Kennek Ryhope Community Association. The seasons from 2003 onwards were tough, but for the season 2006-07, the club joined forces with Springboard Sunderland and a new era as Sunderland RCA FC began.

Progress continues to be made both on and off the pitch and after finishing fourth in the previous two seasons Sunderland RCA FC were promoted as runners-up to Stokesley FC in season 2009-10 – a great achievement. Our first season back in Division 1 started badly, but we picked ourselves up, had a purple patch and finished the season in 13th place.

Acknowledgement

The club is very grateful to Joe Dixon for providing information about the early years of Sunderland RCA. Joe played for what was then Ryhope Youth Club and subsequently Ryhope Community Association from its first match in 1963 through to the 1978-79 season. Joe has turned from goal scorer to historian and a wealth of detail can be found on his web site – http://www.joedixon9.co.uk – about Joe’s playing days with RCA and other Sunderland and east Durham clubs.

ENL 1 – Celtic Nation Result

A Comfortable Win

Shildon AFC had a very comfortable 6 – 0 away win at relegated Celtic Nation on Saturday 18th April 2015.

If was one way traffic from the kick off with Mark Doninger opening the scoring on 16 minutes with a long range drive from outside the box.

Ten minutes later a great four man move was finished off in style by Billy Greulich-Smith whose shot rocketed into the roof of the net.

Just 3 minutes later Mark Doninger scored the goal of the day, maybe the goal of the season with a brilliant overhead scissor kick, giving keeper Andrew Casson no chance.

Just before the break Chris Emms put Ben Wood through and he poked the ball past keeper Casson.

Half Time:  Celtic Nation  0  Shildon AFC  4

Early in the 2nd half Mark Doninger fired over the bar, before Daniel Moore was brought down in the box, but the ref. waived play on.

Celtic were a better team after the break with Lewis Graham saving from No 9 Simon Tucker.

On 72 minutes Mark Doninger got his hat-trick when Jason Blackburn put his through and he beat the advancing keeper.

Celtic were becoming frustrated and resorted to committing far too many fouls with 5 players receiving yellow cards.

On 81 minutes Celtic’s Shaun Dixon brought Adam Rundle down in the box for a penalty which Rundle converted with ease for 6 – 0.

Final Score:  Celtic Nation  0  Shildon AFC  6

Goalscorers:  Doninger 16, 29, 72, Greulich-Smith 26, Wood 40, Rundle 81.

Subs:   Rundle for Wood 40, Blackburn for Greulich-Smith 62, Chapman for Brackstone 74.

Bookings:  (Y)  Moore 55.

 

After the match manager Gary Forrest said “We came here and did what we had to do, that is win the game. If we can win our last 3 games then we will win the league, but we cannot afford any slip ups”.

Man-of-The-Match