Marras stay in playoff race with victory against Boldon
Horden Community Welfare kept themselves in the hunt for a playoff spot with a 3-1 win away to Boldon CA on Friday night.
Graeme McCall put Boldon ahead in the 18th minute, but second half goals from Ben Riding, Liam Wright and David Doughty ensured Horden of the win.
Upon kick-off, Boldon’s Charlie Raby had an early half sight of goal when looking to latch onto a long ball, but Horden goalkeeper Andrew Fletcher was there first.
Chances for Horden followed, with David Doughty and Barney Dobinson going close.
In the 18th minute, Boldon took the lead. After a sustained attack, they worked the ball into McCall who beat a defender, turned and finished well.
Horden had the majority of the ball in the first half, but chances were at a premium, and Boldon led at the break.
Five minutes into the second half, Horden equalised. Taylor Campbell’s low cross from the left was swung at and missed by Doughty, and the ball came through to Riding whose first time finish found the top corner.
Having pulled level, the Marras were now looking bright, and Taylor Campbell went close when his 20 yard shot deflected just wide.
Dan Flounders then had a shot crucially blocked from a corner, before Horden took the lead 14 minutes into the second half. A corner was worked to Wright on the edge of the area, and although he didn’t connect perfectly, it was enough to find a way into the net to put Horden ahead.
With 20 to play, Horden went close to a third when Wright forced a good save from James Lone, and Lone was forced into another save seconds later to push Campbell’s shot behind for a corner.
In the 76th minute, Horden scored their third. Possession was gifted to Doughty who still had plenty to do from the edge of the area, but his fine finish from the left corner of the penalty area found the far bottom corner.
Aaron Williams put a dangerous free kick wide as Boldon looked for a route back into the game, but there was to be no further chances for the hosts.
It was a very good second half performance from Horden.
Full-time: Boldon CA 1-3 Horden Community Welfare
Next up for me is Ryton & Crawcrook Albion vs Easington Colliery tomorrow (Saturday).
Boldon CA: Lone, Miller, Johns, Bainbridge, Williams, Graham, Collins (c), McCall (Clish, 61′), Raby (Riddell, 70′), Gateshill, Zamehran
Unused subs: Devlin-Johnston, Solman, Riddell
Horden Community Welfare: Fletcher, James, Gordon, Fowler, Flounders, Riding, Skidmore (Osborne, 73′), Taylor Campbell, Doughty, Dobinson (c) (Wright, 54′), Bird (Bradshaw, 76′)
Unused subs: Kidson, Kieran Campbell
Admission: £5 adults, £3 concessions
Programme: I didn’t get one
Attendance: 69
Connor's Football Travels 