Captain Mick Brown 07931 553134

Fixtures 09-10

 

Date	Opposition	Venue	Result
5 Sep
19 Sep	Nth. St. Georges 3	Away	2-6
26 Sep	Marton Furness 4	Home	0-2
3 Oct	Tynedale 2	Away	4-0
10 Oct	Durham City 4	Home	0-4
17 Oct	Gateshead 3	Away	2-1
24 Oct	Morpeth 3	Home	5-1
31 Oct	WB Tynemouth 3	Away	1-5
7 Nov	Billingham 1	Home	0-8
14 Nov	Newcastle 1	Away	5-0
21 Nov	South Shields 1	Home
28 Nov	Norton 2	Away
5 Dec	Stockton 5	Home
12 Dec	Marton Furness 4	Away
16 Jan	Tynedale 2	Home
23 Jan	Morpeth 3	Away
30 Jan	WB Tynemouth 3	Home
6 Feb	Durham City 4	Away
13 Feb	Gateshead 3	Home
20 Feb	Billingham 1	Away
27 Feb	Newcastle 1	Home
6 Mar	South Shields 1	Away
13 Mar	Norton 2	Home
20 Mar	Stockton 5	Away

7th Nov 09

Sunderland 3rds - 0 Billingham 1sts - 8

Unbeaten League Leaders Billingham 1st were always going to prove a very difficult opposition and proved so. They scored 6 goals in the first half to ensure the win after a poor start from the Wearsiders. However, in the second half, Sunderland competed much more physically and used the width of the pitch with John Raine and Jason Clements attacking down the wings to put pressure on the opposition defence. The loss of Sunderland player Eric Matters due to injury leaving only 10 men allowed Billingham the space to score 2 in the last 10 minutes. Sunderland 3rds have had some good results this season and must quickly put this game behind them and focus on mid table Newcastle 1st who they play next week. In addition, Sunderland 3rds will need to learn to compete, remain focussed and work together as a team throughout when playing much stronger teams which will occur in their League.

31st Oct 09

Tynemouth 3rds - 5 Sunderland 3rds - 1

With a number of players called up to the 2nds as well as a number of key injuries, a mixed 3rd team travelled to Tynemouth. However, despite the result, the Wearsider players with many making their debuts should take heart after battling well throughout against a well organised and strong Tynemouth side. Indeed, Sunderland scored first after early pressure through a fierce short corner strike from Sunderland`s man of the match Tom Grant. However, this was the only short corner Sunderland had all game indicative of the pressure Tynemouth brought to bear. Nevertheless, Greg Townson had an excellent game in midfield, Jason Clements worked hard up front  and goalkeeper Andrew Merton- Smith made some customary fine saves in the Sunderland Goal.

24th Oct 09

Sunderland 3rds - 5 Morpeth 3rds - 1

Sunderland 3rds continued their excellent start to their new season with a comprehensive win over Morpeth 3rds at the Raich Carter Centre. In reality, this was a game that the Wearsiders dominated throughout although Morpeth were dangerous on the breakaway at times with keeper Anthony Merton-Smith having to make 2 fine saves in the first half. Sunderland`s scorers were midfielder Thomas Brown who bagged a brace with his second being an excellent aerial flick from the top of the circle and Greg Townson, a replacement centre forward, whose tireless running  also deserved and resulted in bagging a brace. Eric Matters scored the remaining goal with a fine tap in from the far corner following an excellent run and then cross from right winger, Jason Clements. Despite losing key defender Jim Gardner with a facial cut in the second half and having to play with only 10 men, it was a credit to the team that the Wearsiders still held on comfortably to secure the valuable League points as they strive to consolidate their newly promoted League status.

 

17th Oct 09

Gateshead 3rds 1 Sunderland 3rds 2

Newly promoted Sunderland 3rds achieved their best win of the League Season with a late winner against a strong and well organised Gateshead team in a highly competitive and excellent game of hockey . Although the Wearsiders started sluggishly, they scored first with a fierce Steve Liddle strike from their first short corner routine. It was unfortunate that Gateshead scored shortly afterwards. The game then became extremely tight with both defences desperate not to concede. Sunderland deservedly snatched the winner with 3 minutes to go through Eric Matters with a fine strike that deflected in from the Gateshead keeper. Overall, however, this result was only achieved as a result of an excellent teamwork display from all the Sunderland players. Defensively, Jim Gardner, James Magog and Stewart Douglas marked and tackled well, in midfield Greg Townson, Steve Liddle, Jason Clements and skipper Micky Brown worked tirelessly with some fine passing moves and up front Jamie Emmerson, Johnny Raine and Eric Matters all had their best games of the season. Sunderland 3rds will need to work hard to maintain their hard earned League status but with 2 away wins already this season, the prospect is encouraging if they continue to play like this.

10 Oct 09

Sunderland 3rds 0 Durham City 4ths 4

Missing a number of players the thirds were well beaten by an experienced Durham City side. Sloppy defending allowed the visitors three quick goals just before half time. The second half saw a marked improvement although in attempting to get back into the game Sunderland were caught out on the break by the visitors with a well taken fourth goal towards the end of the game.

3 Oct 09

Tynedale 2nds - 0 Sunderland 3rds - 4.

The thirds travelled to Tynedale and picked up their first points of the season following promotion to League 4. Despite dominating possession it took until shortly before half time to take the lead. On his debut the impressive P Smith put a good ball into the D which was smartly deflected in by Matters. After half time the Wearsiders pressed home their advantage, Emmerson turned in another good cross by Smith, Plunkett bundled in a third following a goal mouth scramble and M Brown completed the scoring with a crisp shot from a penalty corner. This was an improved performance which will need to be replicated if the team are to establish themselves in this league.

26 Sep 09

Sunderland 3rds - 0 Marton Furness 4ths - 2

Sunderland 3rds, newly promoted to the 4th Division Hockey League,  learnt a hard lesson in their campaign with a loss to a well organised and very strong Marton Furness team. Although the Wearsiders did defend well throughout and keeper Mark Wilkinson had an excellent game pulling off some close range shots, injuries to key defenders namely skipper Michael Brown and sweeper Chris Maughn with no available substitutes left the team struggling in the second half when the 2 goals were scored late in the game. Sunderland made few scoring chances and this is an area that must be worked on if they are to maintain league status this season despite hard work up front by lone strikers Jamie Emmerson and John Dann.

SUNDERLAND THIRDS WIN VITAL PLAYOFF

Following Gateshead`s decision as winners of the North Conference League not be be promoted to the North East League Division 4, it was assumed that Sunderland 3rds as runners up would naturally be promoted in their place. However, a recent meeting of the North East Hockey League decided that the runners up of the South Conference League should also have the right to compete for promotion to League status. Despite Sunderland Hockey Club officially objecting, the League overuled and a play off was arranged to be played in the close season on 20/06/09.        

As such, on Saturday 20/06/09, Sunderland 3rds won a vital playoff match against Stokesley 2nds to earn the well deserved right to leave the North East Conference League and join the official North East Hockey League in Division 4. It  was obviously a massive match for both Hockey Clubs with League status to play for. As a result, the North East Hockey League demanded that the match was umpired by specially appointed Qualified League Umpires, played at a neutral ground in Stockton and both Team lists scrutinised by the League to ensure fair play. The match itself was a very well contested and hard fought affair and not surprisingly was 0-0 at half time. However, in the 2nd half, Sunderland took the lead following an interception by Thomas Brown who fed through to Ian McGinley to score his 1st goal. Stokesley then quickly equalised through a short corner before Ian McGinley clinched the match for the Wearsiders following up a rebound from a short corner.  It should be recognised that Sunderland fully deserved this promotion as in the 2007/8 season they had also finished with the 2nd best results in the North Conference League but Newcastle and Morpeth (who finished in 4th place) were technically promoted above them as Sunderland had failed to play a fixture early in that season. Sunderland 3rds have played consistently well throughout the last 2 seasons and will now grow stronger and benefit from League Hockey particularly key youngsters such as Peter Billyard and Jamie Emmerson.

 

28 Mar 09

Jesmond 2nd - 0 Sunderland 3rds - 3.

In their last, and possibly toughest, League game of the season, Sunderland 3rds had to dig deep to finish the season on a high note. They now lie firmly on top of the Conference League by 5 points. Howver, Gateshead do have games in hand and can go ahead of the Wearsiders if they win them all. Sunderland 3rds had to defend well in the first half and were fortunate a Jesmond goal early in the half was eventually disallowed following an Umpire rethink after a Jesmond player lifted ball into Jim Gardner. Sunderland`s strength and perseverance told in the 2nd half and all the goals were of the highest quality. Ian McGinley scored the first following some fine individual play rouding 2 defenders and the keeper before reverse sweeping the ball into the empty goal. Stewart Douglas scored the 2nd with a delicate chip from a short corner move over the lungeing 6 ft 6in Jesmond keeper and Peter Billyard scored the third from another short corner move with a sweeping shot just inside the near post. Sunderland would have scored more but for the excellent Jesmond keeper. All in all, this has been an excellent season for the 3rd Team with a number of young players developing both  their skills and strength and hopefully they will get an opportunity to play for a higher Team next season which they clearly deserve.

21st Mar 09

Sunderland 3rd -9 North Shields 2nd-2

Sunderland 3rds continued their successful League run with a comprehensive win over North Shields. The Wearsiders remain at the top of the league table but their loss to Gateshead 2 weeks ago could now prove very costly in the attempt to gain promotion as the season comes to a close. Ian McGinley, Jason Clement and Jamie Emmerson all bagged braces and were unlucky not to achieve deserved hat tricks. Peter Billyard, Andy Wilkinson and Jim Gardner finished the scoring. Sunderland play their last game of the season away to Jesmond and will hope to finish on a high note. At Sunderland Hockey Club`s Annual Dinner 2009, youngsters Peter Billyard won the 3rd Team Player of the Year and Jamie Emmerson won the prestigious Club`s Young Player of the Year. Both well merited winners.

 

14 Mar 09

Sunderland 3rd - 4 Jesmond 2nd -1

Sunderland 3rds dominated this vital top of the league clash throughout the game and came away with an important win following last weeks very disappointing loss to league leaders Gateshead. The Wearsiders goals came through Ian McGinley making a return who bagged a brace. The first was from some fine interlinking forward play and the second a close range flick from a superb short corner routine. Steve Liddle scored his customary goal from another short corner with a fierce dipping shot that struck the top of the backboard. Peter Billyard scored Sunderland`s 4. This was an excellent all round performance with the midfielders particularly Thomas Brown and Johny Pearson putting in some hard running. Jamie Emmerson, also making a return, worked hard up front against an experienced Jesmond defence.

7 Mar 09

Sunderland 3rd -2  Gateshead 3rd - 3.

 In a well contested game, Sunderland 3rd`s, lying in second place, lost to league leaders Gateshead despite being in the lead on 2 occasions. Both Sunderland`s goals came from Eric Matters following melee`s in the Gateshead circle. Sunderland did have a number of short corner opportunities but unusually failed to convert them which did prove costly in such an important and tight game. The Sunderland forwards clearly found it hard to break down the experienced Gateshead defence and didn`t learn from their earlier defeat in the season. Although not at their strongest, Sunderland 3rds must not get disheartened and continue to develop as a team as they have 3 further games against tough opposition and the next 2 weeks take on Jesmond both home  and then away who lie 3rd in the league. The return of key players Ian McGinley, Stewart Douglas and young striker, Jamie Emmerson who were clearly missed will provide a boost.

28 Feb 09

Sunderland 3rd - 9 Morpeth 4th- 0.

Despite losing 3 key players to the 2nd team and only being 1-0 up at half time, Sunderland 3rd continued their unbeaten 2009 Conference League run with a convincing 2nd half display over a tiring Morpeth side. Sunderland`s in form young striker, Jamie Emmerson, scored 4 (which must now put him in contention for the Sunderland Hockey Club Top Scorer Award for 2009), Jason Clements scored 2, Skipper Mick (the Flick) Brown scored a fine penalty stroke following a Morpeth defender kicking the ball off the line from a short corner and Peter Billyard bagged a brace including a further penalty stroke as Sunderland piled the pressure on the Morpeth defence in the second half. Sunderland 3rds face their most important game of the season next week against Gateshead, the Conference League Leaders, who have only lost once this season and the Wearsiders will need to be far more clinical in front of goal to achieve a result against much stronger and experienced opposition.

 

21/02/09  

Sunderland 3rds- 3 WB Tynemouth 4ths- 1

In what was almost a Colts team debuts were given to Kyle Crawford and Andrew Hughes. Both players settled in quickly but as a team the opponents had the better of the early play. A bad pass in defence by Brown was intercepted by a Tynemouth forward which led to a reverse stick shot hitting the post and then spinning across the line. Sunderland improved as the game went on with Andy Bailey equalising benefitting from a superb assist by Mitchell Fife. The home side then had a slice of luck with a shot from a short corner which was going wide being deflected in off a defensive foot. Sunderland increased their lead with a goal from Brown in the second half. As well as the debutants there were good performances from Winship, Connolly and Craigie.

 

 

31st Jan 09

Tynemouth 4th -1 Sunderland 3rd -9

Sunderland 3rds continued their unbeaten 2009 Conference League run with a comprehensive win over a young Tynemouth side at the Parks in North Shields. The Wearsiders proved far stronger in all departments but were still determined to move the ball around. It was particularly pleasing that the young poacher, Jamie Emmerson, scored his first hat trick for the Club, and hopefully he will score many more, with both Ian McGinley and Johny Raine bagging a brace each. Peter Billyard and Steve Liddle with a customary fierce short corner strike completed the scoring. Although Sunderland dominated, the Wearside youngsters will need to learn to move the ball much quicker against tougher opposition if they are to maintain their strong League position. This weekend the 3rds take on North Shields 3rds who should provide exactly that.

 

24 January 09

Sunderland 3rd - 3 St Georges 4th  -2

Following on from last weeks friendly 2-1  win over Redcar, Sunderland 3rds resumed their 2009 Conference League campaign with a hard fought but invaluable win over a strong combined St Georges/University of Northumbria Team at the Raich Carter Centre. Sunderland 3rds suffered from 2 early injuries to key defenders skipper Michael Brown and Stewart Douglas but replacements drafted in coped admirably. Sunderlands first goal came from midfielder Peter Billyard following some fine interchanges of passing from the forward line of Jamie Emmerson, Eric Matters and Johny Raine. The second came from Andy Wilkinson from a superb strike from the top of the circle that hit the top corner of the goal and left the St Georges goalkeeper totally helpless and the third came late in the game from a fierce Steve Liddle short corner strike that nutmegged the outstretched keeper. Sunderland`s keeper Axel Foley played well throughout and made some fine point blank saves late in the game. Sunderland 3rds will need however to stop losing possession in key areas of the field if they are not to be punished by more clinical opposition. The 3 points gained by the Wearsiders could prove invaluable in the long term promotion race as this St Georges team will prove a handful for all the other teams in the league.

17 January 09

Redcar 2nd -1 Sunderland 3rds - 2.

Sunderland travelled to Redcar in a friendly fixture and came away with a hard fought win following an excellent game of hockey. Sunderland decided to give an opportunity to some of it`s youngsters and were not disappointed with their contribution. Daniel MaCabe defended well at the back and Jamie Emmerson and Josh Allan led the 2 pronged attack with some fine exchanges and running off the ball. Although Sunderland lost an early lead they came back with 2 superb goals in the second half. The first came from Peter Billiard who pounced on a rebound initially saved by the keeper from a well stuck short corner and slotted the ball past the stranded keeper and the second winner came from a reverse sweep shot from Johnny Raine which was more remarkable by the fact he  was injured at the time and was confined to the Redcar circle. Sunderland`s man of the match was their young County Durham Goalkeeper Jamie Connolly who defied his young years by making some fine saves at the end of the match as Redcar piled on the pressure. Sunderland 3rds resume their League campaign this weekend with a visit from St Georges and remain in a strong position to achieve promotion if they can repeat performances like this.

15 November 08

Sunderland 3rds 8 WB Tynemouth 4ths 0

The thirds had a comfortable win over a young Tynemouth side to go top of the Conference South league. Sunderland were six up by half time with Matters, Clement, Fox, Billyard, Liddle and T Brown all finding the net. After half time the home side experimented with a number of players playing out of position. Although the scoring slowed the old poacher Burgess bagged a brace to make it eight.

The thirds have week off before a crunch game with Jesmond on 29th.

MOM - opposition keeper who made a number of good saves despite the scoreline.

Wally - Jason Clement for missing an open goal from 0.5m out.

 

8 November 08

Tynedale 3rds 0 Sunderland 3rds 3

The thirds avenged a narrow defeat by Tynedale three weeks ago with a good win. The home team nearly scored in the first minute hitting the post after a quick break. Sunderland settled down and whilst enjoying most of the possession they had to wait until just before half time before taking the lead through Clement. The second half saw an improved performance with Sunderland starting to pass alot better prompted often by Douglas who fed Matters and Emmerson down the right hand side. McGinley took his goal well to double the lead before Billyard scored the goal of the game, deflecting in a crisp free hit from Liddle shortly before the end. Good performances from Thompson in goal and Burgess at sweeper ensured a clean sheet.

MOM - Billyard, was everywhere and scored a good goal.

Wally - McGinley, fully tested the umpires patience.