Chester-Le-Street (6) vs (4) Tow Law, Monday 31st August 2009

Tow Law – Simon Bishop, Brian Fairhurst, Craig Bishop, Chris Renshaw, Richard Forster, Stephen Tobi, Stephen Flockett, Craig Gott, Alex Benjamin, Lewis Teasdale, Andrew Thompson.
Subs- Luke Sulllivan, Robbie Shields, Michael Fort, Mark Eccles & Andy Allen.

Tow Law threw away an early 2 goal lead, losing 6 – 4 at Chester-le-Street.
Tow Law had a chance after 3 minutes, clearing a Chester corner, Alex Benjamin collected the ball & hit the ball wide left to Chris Renshaw but his shot across the face of the goal went just wide of the far post.
Tow Law took the lead after 6 minutes when Andrew Thompson curled a free kick over the wall into the net.
Chester should have drawn level after 9 minutes when following a good run down the left, Nathan Fisher crossed for Robbie Bird to head down but Josh Home-Jackson blasted the ball over the bar from close range.
Tow Law doubled their lead after 12 minutes when a Brian Fairhurst cross from the right found Alex Benjamin and he beat a defender to slip the ball into the net.
Tow Law looked in complete control and nearly increased their lead after 16 minutes. Benjamin crossed to the far side from the right but Lewis Teasdale's shot drifted just wide of the upright.
Chester pulled a goal back after 17 minutes when a quick break saw Josh Home-Jackson race in from the left to slip the ball past Simon Bishop.
A minute late Home-Jackson broke through again to go around the keeper and bring the scores level.
After 22 minutes, Robbie Bird played a ball through to Nicholas Kane. With the Lawyers’ defence going AWOL, he fired Chester into the lead.
Chester increased their lead on 28 minutes when a shot from Nathan Fisher took a slight deflection on its way into the net.
After 31 minutes Lewis Teasdale came close but his powerful drive clipped the top of the bar.
Half time; Chester-le-Street 4 – 2 Tow Law Town.
Tow Law pulled a goal back after 55 minutes when Josh Carmichael only palmed a corner down for Andrew Thompson to fire in through a crowd of players.
On 60 minutes, substitute John Murray broke down left and cut inside to fire in a shot but it went straight to Bishop.
Carmichael had to bring out a good save to prevent Teasdale bringing Tow Law level after 65 minutes.
Nathan Fisher extended Chester's lead after 71 minutes.
After 77 minutes, Andrew Thompson saw his low, hard drive thwarted by another good save from Carmichael.
Fisher completed his hat-trick after 80 minutes when he fired in a cross from James Ellis with Mark Eccles pulling a goal back deep into stoppage time.
Full time; Chester-le-Street 6 – 4 Tow Law Town

Esh Winning (1) vs (4) Tow Law, Saturday 29th August 2009

Tow Law – Simon Bishop, Brian Fairhurst, Craig Bishop, Gavin Mudd, Richard Forster, Andy Bowes, Chris Renshaw, Craig Gott, Alex Benjamin, Lewis Teasdale, Andy Thompson.
Subs- Stephen Tobin, Robbie Shields, Stephen Flockett, Luke Sullivan, Michael Fort.

The Lawyers made the short journey down the Deerness Valley for this local derby match against newly promoted Esh Winning.
Tow Law started brightly, passing the ball around & retaining good possession.
In the 4th minute, Bowes long clearance was headed on by Teasdale. Benjamin pounced on the opportunity to run clear & pass the ball into the net, under Molingeux in the home goal.
Esh Winning 0 – 1 Tow Law .
In the 10minute, the game exploded into life. A high ball into the Tow Law area was headed clear by Bowes, who was caught by Wilson’s flying elbow. The Tow Law defender retaliated & was given a straight red card for his actions. Wilson was cautioned.
Within a minute however, Renshaw was flattened by a 2 footed tackle by Wilson. He received a 2nd yellow card & was also dismissed, leaving both teams to play the remaining 80 minutes with 10 men.
On 20 minutes, Benjamin increased Tow Law’s lead, heading home from Gott’s right wing cross.
Tow Law dominated the remainder of the half, stretching the home defence & forcing Molineux into a number of good saves, without increasing their advantage.
Half time; Esh Winning 0 – 2 Tow Law.
Tow Law got off to the perfect 2nd half start. A 48th minute corner was headed goalwards & Benjamin snapped up the opportunity to clinch his hat trick.
Esh Winning 0 – 3 Tow Law.
Gott was unlucky to see a 56th minute shot from distance fly just past the post.
In the 69th minute, Esh were gifted a foothold in the game, as the Tow Law defence allowed Thompson a walk through on goal, that he gratefully accepted.
Esh Winning 1 – 3 Tow Law.
The game was eventually made same on 80 minutes. Bishop overlapped down the left, received the ball from Teasdale & advanced into the box to send a low cross perfectly to Flockett, who side footed home.
Full time; Esh Winning 1 – 4 Tow Law.

Tow Law (2) vs (1) Ryton, Tuesday 25th August 2009

Tow Law – Simon Bishop, Brian Fairhurst, Craig Bishop, Gavin Mudd, Richard Forster, Stephen Tobin, Chris Renshaw, Craig Gott, Alex Benjamin, Lewis Teasdale, Andy Thompson.
Subs- Neil Tarrant, Robbie Shields, Dale Jardine, Mark Eccles, Luke Sullivan.

Tow Law played Ryton in this Division 1, Skilltraining LTd fixture.
An evenly matched opening saw the only real opportunity fall to Patton, who tested Bishop with a shot that the home goalkeeper was able to tip over the bar.
Renshaw had a golden opportunity to open the scoring after 22 minutes. Bursting from midfield, he rounded the goalkeeper, but was forced wide & the visitors’ defence recovered to clear the danger.
The 29th minute saw Tow Law being awarded a disputed free kick, 25 yards from goal. Thompson stepped up to plant the ball past the visiting keeper & into the corner of the net.
Tow Law 1 – 0 Ryton.
Within 3 minutes, the visitors were level. As the home defence lost concentration, a short corner was crossed into the danger zone & Patton glanced a header past Bishop.
Half time; Tow Law 1 – 1 Ryton.
The second half kicked off with Tow Law attacking the Clubhouse end.
On 55 minutes, Benjamin was booked for a foul on the visiting goalkeeper. Almost immediately, he was replaced by Tarrent.
With chances few & far between for both teams, Thompson brought a great save from Hands, again from a free kick after 70 minutes.
On 75 minutes however, Thompson got his reward, scoring the eventual winner following a mistake in the Ryton defence.
Ryton pushed for an equaliser, hitting the post on 80 minutes & bringing a good save out of Bishop on 85 minutes, but Tow Law held out to take the 3 points.
Final Score; Tow Law 2 – 1 Ryton.

Tow Law (1) vs (3) Horden CW, Saturday 22th August 2009

Tow Law – Tow Law Town – Simon Bishop, Robbie Shields, Craig Bishop, Andy Bowes, Richard Forster, Stephen Tobin, Chris Renshaw, Kraig Wilkinson, Alex Benjamin, Neil Tarrant, Craig Gott.
Subs- Michael Fort, Andy Thompson, Lewis Teasdale, Luke Sullivan & Brian Fairhurst.

Horden CW – Craig Shields, Paul Atkinson, Mark Scott, Matthew Taylor, Chris Pearson, Stephen Thomas, Darren Atkinson, Craig Hubbard, Andy Jennings, Kevine Devine, Matthew O’Riordan.
Subs- BAndy Appleby, James Winter, Stuart Brightwell, Craig Snowdon & Neil Campbell.

Tow Law played Horden CW for the 3rd time in 7 days, having crashed out of the FA Cup to our visitors on Tuesday night.
A much changed line up took to the feild, Chris Renshaw returning from suspension, Alex Benjamin returning to the Club & new signings Craig Bishop & craig Gott included from the start.
Mattie Moffat, Mark Eccles & Stephen Flockett missed the game through injury, with Gavin Mudd & Andy Johnson unavailable.
The opening chance fell to Benjamin in the 3rd minute. One on one with Sheilds, he lifted the ball over the keeper, but Scott got back to clear off the line.
2 minutes later Tarrant combined well with Wilkinson, whose shot was saved by Shields.
In the 10th minute, Bowes headed a clearance & was flattened by Devine, who was very lucky to stay on the field for using his leading elbow.
Shortly after this, Devine lunged into a tackle in front of the main stand & should have received a 2nd caution.
Match Referee, Glen Hart decided to keep his cards in his pocket.
Tow Law paid for that decision in the 24th minute. Scott, playing left back was allowed time & space to deliver a cross. Devine was on the end to head powerfully past Bishop.
Tow Law 0 – 1 Horden CW.
On 35 minutes, Benjamin latched onto Renshaws pass to hit a powerful, goal bound shot. Shields did well to push it over the bar.
With half time approaching Renshaw & Hubbard clashed. This time, Mr Hart booked both players.
Benjamin created space in the box & sent a low shot towards Shields bottom right corner. Again, the visiting keeper did well to get his fingers to the ball & push it around the post.
From the resulting corner, Renshaw headed home.
Half time: Tow Law 1 – 1 Horden CW .
5 minutes into the 2nd half, Bowes was still feeling the effects of his head injury & was replaced by Thompson.
In the 55th minute, Scott was again given the freedom of his left wing to deliver a cross to Jennings. He headed towards goal, Simon Bishop parried but Jennings sidefooted home from close range.
Tow Law 1 – 2 Horden CW.
Tow Law responded through Benjamin with a 20 yard effort, but again Shields denied the Lawyers’ striker to push the ball wide.
Wilkinson was replaced by Fort in the 66th minute. Craig Bishop played a ball in behind the Horden defence for Tarrant. He lobbed it over Shields who had charged out of his goal, only to see it drop agonisingly over the bar.
In the 73rd minute, Teasdale replaced Shields.
Tow Law continued to push on for an equaliser, but were hit with a sucker punch in the 90th minute.
Jennings got the better of Tobin down the left wing, advanced into the box & put over a low cross to Campbell, who side footed home.
Final score: Tow Law 1 – 3 Horden CW.

Tow Law (0) vs (3) West Allotment, Tuesday 11th August 2009

Tow Law – Tow Law Town – Simon Bishop, Robbie Shields, Brian Fairhurst, Stephen Flockett, Richard Forster (c), Ian Maddison, Andrew Thompson, Michael Fort, Mattie Moffat, Andrew Johnson, Mark Eccles.
Subs- Gavin Mudd, Lewis Teasdale, Dale Jardine, Luke Sullivan.

West Allotment – Martin Hunter, Kevin Hughes, Daniel Patterson, Ian Dunn, Paul Hutchinson, Craig Scott, Mark Rasmussen, Paul Gardiner, David Thompson, John Campbell, Daniel Hindmarsh.
Subs- Ben Richardson, Kyle Hayes, Michael Fenwick, David Tremble, Sean Willis.

Following Saturday’s excellent result, The Lawyers came crashing down to earth at home to West Allotment Celtic.
The game started with Tow Law attacking the Clubhouse end. On 2 minutes, Moffat collected the ball on the corner of the box, lifted it over Hutchinson & passed to Fort, who wildly blasted the ball over the bar from 8 yards.
Hutchinson was injured whilst trying to turn & had to be replaced.
On 8 minutes, Gardiner was running clear on goal, but over ran the ball & Bishop was able to collect.
Moffat went close to opening the scoring after 6 minutes with a right foot shot from distance, only to see Hunter save well.
West Allotment went straight back on the attack, Campbell forcing Bishop into a good save.
West Allotment broke the deadlock on 30 minutes, Thompson breaking clear of the home defence to lift the ball over the advancing Bishop & into the net.
Tow Law 0 – 1 West Allotment.
10 minutes later, the visitors doubled their advantage. A Tow Law attack broke down & the ball was quickly moved forward to Campbell, who slotted past Bishop.
Half time; Tow Law 0 – 2 West Allotment.
3 minutes into the second half, Fort was replaced by Mudd.
Tow Law were trying to get back into the game, but with little effect.
Thompson tried his luck with a 25 yard shot, but Hunter easily saved it.
On 60 minutes Jardine replaced Flockett.
West Allotment were more than content to absorb the Tow Law attacks, then break quickly.
On 68 minutes, such a break down the left flank released Thompson, but his shot flew over the bar.
The game was up on 75 minutes. Another Tow Law attack broke down & Allotment quickly moved the ball forward to their impressive front 2. Campbell made no mistake to score past the exposed Bishop.
Tow Law 0 – 3 West Allotment Celtic.

Tow Law (4) vs (3) Spennymoor, Saturday 8th August 2009

Tow Law – Simon Bishop, Robbie Shields, Brian Fairhurst, Gavin Mudd (Andrew Thompson), Richard Forster (c), Andy Bowes, Michael Fort, Stephen Flockett,, Mattie Moffat, Andrew Johnson (Neil Tarrant), Mark Eccles, (Stephen Tobin), (Lewis Teasdale), (Ian Maddison)

Spennymoor – Niki Lawson, Carl Beasley(c)(Gavin Cogdon), David Gordon, Keith Graydon, Chris Mason, Paul Stephenson, Craig Ruddy(John Toft), Gareth Waite, Jamie Clarke, Anthony Peacock, Karl Richards, (Craig Gott), (Andrew Spence), (Leon Carling)

As a mark of respect, 1 minutes silence preceded the game in memory of 2 great friends of Tow Law Town, Alice Donaghy and Sir Bobby Robson, who sadly died during the close season. Both sets of supporters impeccably honoured the occasion.
Tow Law’s season got off to the best possible start when they won 4-3 against title candidates Spennymoor Town.
With a number of new signings being given their Club debuts, the Lawyers started brightly against a team that always competes. Late signings Andy Bowes & Richard Forster took their places in the heart of the Lawyers’ defence, Forster being handed the captain’s armband.
The home side started the better side and could have been a goal up inside the first minute, Matty Moffatt charged down when Carl Beasley's clearance and the striker advanced on goal but Stephenson got back to block the frontmans effort.
Moments later, Moffatt missed a golden opportunity to to put the home side ahead. Michael Fort got the better of Gordon and his cross picked out Moffatt but his mis hit shot was smothered by Lawson on the line. Spennymoor's only responce was a long range Graydon effort which Lawyers keeper Simon Bishop had covered.
After 20 minutes, he home side broke the deadlock when central defender Richard Foster cleared to Mark Eccles who in turn cut inside and his right foot shot was fumbled into the net by Lawson.
Tow Law 1 – 0 Spennymoor.
On 29 minutes, Clarke then got the better of Forster on a rare Moors attack but despite advancing towards goal, Andy Bowes forced him wide and the chance went.
Moffat went close to increasing the home lead on 32 minutes. Collecting the ball 35 yards from goal, he hit a dipping shot over Lawson, who was releaved to see the ball clear the bar by inches.
The first half drew to a close with Eccles firing a 25yd free kick high over the woodwork.
Johnson should have doubled the lead on 52 minutes when he rounded Lawson but was forced to cross for Moffatt who was challenged by Beasley and the ball was hacked clear.
Soon after the lead was deservedly doubled when an Eccles cross was met by the head of Michael Fort following Lawson's attempt to claim the ball which saw the ball nestle into the net.
Tow Law 2 – 0 Spennymoor.
Spennymoor skipper Beasley was the first to make way and was replaced by Cogdon. Moments later Ruddy was then replaced by Toft.
Eccles had a great opportunity on 62 minutes. Good play from Mofffat & Johnson released the winger, who hit a shot arrowed at the top corner. Lawso got enough of his fingertips to the ball, diverting it against the bar.
The lead was halved on 64 minutes. Anthony Peacock turned inside the area to clip the ball over Bishop and Bowes headed into his own net.
Tow Law 2 – 1 Spennymoor.
On 70 minutes, Tow Law replaced Johnson with Neil Tarrant.
A minute later, Toft burst into the home penalty area and was tripped by Fairhurst. Referee Danny Markham pointed to the spot. Graydon stepped up to send Bishop the wrong way to level the scores.
Tow Law 2 – 2 Spennymoor. Spennymoor’s joy was shortlived. Within 2 minutes, Lawyers full back Brian Fairhurst chased a long ball into the area. Lawson tripped the defender and Markham pointed to the spot for the second penalty in the space of a couple of minutes. Moffatt scored from the spot to put his side back in the driving seat.
Tow Law 3 – 2 Spennymoor.
The home side restored their 2 goal cushion on 77 minutes, courtesy of Moffatt following an error by Gordon. The Tow Law striker fired into the bottom corner from the edge of the area for a fine finish.
Fort broke into the area but was halted by Stephenson, then Eccles got into the act but saw his shot blocked.
Deep into stoppage time, Moors pulled the score back to 4-3 when Waite's deflected shot from outside the box wrong footed Bishop and nestled into the net. The full time whistle soon came to give Tow Law another opening day victory.