Northern League: Vital wins for title-chasing Guisborough and Marske

Guisborough kept their Northern League title hopes very much alive with a 3-1 home win against Celtic Nation, and Marske remain in the thick of the race after beating Newcastle Benfield by a single-goal margin.

Guisborough remain a point behind leaders West Auckland in second place after two goals from Luke Bythway earned them a somewhat nervy home victory against the hard-working Cumbrian side.

The Priorymen got off to a great start when Bythway scored from close range in the 11th minute.

But the lead was shortlived as Nation’s Jason Blackburn capitalised on a defensive error and flashed in a fantastic 30-yard shot which caught Guisborough keeper Nick Liversedge off his line.

Danny Earl restored the Guisborough lead in first-half added time with a close range overhead kick.

Play swung from end to end after the interval, but Guisborough made their superiority tell in the 65th minute when Bythway bundled the ball over the Celtic goal-line from a couple of yards out.

Guisborough’s arch rivals Marske are fourth in the table with two games in hand on the top two, with Craig Gott’s late penalty proving the difference in their 1-0 home win against Benfield.

The Tynesiders brought a seven-match unbeaten streak to the GER Stadium and a hard-fought encounter could have gone either way before skipper Gott settled the issue from the spot.

Substitute Reece Kelly was brought down for the penalty and the former Darlington man sealed three important points when he sent the keeper the wrong way from 12 yards.

Craig Gott scored the only goal for Marske against Benfield

Former Boro striker Andy Campbell’s final game in the Norton dugout before his five-match stadium ban kicks in ended in a 3-1 derby defeat at Stokesley in Northern League Division Two.

Campbell will not be back in the Norton technical area now until their final two games of the campaign at Tow Law and against Billingham Town in the Ernest Armstrong Memorial Cup Final at Thornaby on May 4.

And the former Boro and Cardiff man wasn’t happy with his Ancients’ side’s performance at Broughton Road, saying they lacked intensity as they slipped out of the automatic promotion spots to fourth.

Kristian Kamara gave Stokesley a 1-0 lead at the break.

Jack Bradbury then put the hosts two up and although Anthony Hume pulled a scruffy goal back from a corner, midfielder David Edwards sealed the home's side's victory.

Campbell was quick to shoulder the blame however and said: “I picked the wrong side and the players didn’t perform as well as I expected.

“I will take full responsibility if that’s the reason why we don’t go up this season.”

Campbell also gave Stokesley credit, as Nicky Ward’s side also gave Norton fits at Station Road in October before losing 3-2.

“From what I’ve seen of them in the two games we’ve played against them this season, they are definitely in a false position,” he added.

“They were probably better than us for one-and-a-half games.

“Danny Jones was excellent at the back for them today, Kamara won the battle in midfield and the two lads up front caused us problems.”

Thornaby continue to have a solid season and are still seventh after breaking out their shooting boots in a 4-1 win over Darlington RA which included a tidy goal from captain Jamie Clarke and a couple of Nathan Porritt assists.

Danny Lofts gave Thornaby the lead when he tapped in a Porritt cross, only for RA to equalise with an impressive Darren Cokes header.

Clarke restored Thornaby’s lead with a diving header from Curtis Edwards’ curling cross, although RA should have equalised again when James Wilson stabbed wide when it looked easier to score.

The miss proved costly for the visitors as Ged Livingstone fired into the bottom corner from Clarke’s pass for 3-1, and Theo Furness drilled home the fourth on his left foot after being picked out by Porritt.

Last night’s only league game saw Billingham Town fight back from 3-0 down to draw a thriller against Northallerton 4-4 in front of a healthy 209 crowd at the Evolution Arena.

Town were three down inside half an hour as Martin Butterworth struck twice, either side of an Aaron Ramsbottom lob.

Callam Brown’s penalty started the fightback, and he struck again before Dan Wray equalised with a header.

Josh Keogh crashed the ball home through a crowded penalty area following a corner to put Town in front for the first time.

But there was more drama as former Billingham Synthonia striker Tom Atkinson’s header from a corner made it 4-4, and Town had injury time goals from Joel Callender and Wray ruled out for offside.

Three points: Bamford leads the way, importance of goal difference and Woody turns back the years - what we learnt from win over Ipswich

It’s the week that’s been at the forefront of the thoughts of Boro fans since the turn of the new year.

So what a way to settle the nerves!

As much as AK insists attention is only ever focused on the next game, it’s been hard not to get your head turned by the three crunch games that have been awaiting Boro, positioned ominously one after another.

The Week of Destiny.

Yet rather than harbour any fears about the six-pointers against promotion hopefuls, the boss saw it as an opportunity.

“Let’s embrace the challenge in front of us and seek to take maximum advantage of the opportunities these next games give us,” he said.

Boro did exactly that.

Admittedly, they’ve still got two huge games ahead of them in the next week but what a way to start the trio of games that will undoubtedly play a huge part in deciding the outcome of Boro’s season.

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Apart from the lapse in concentration that allowed dangerman Daryl Murphy to score his 22nd goal of the season, Boro were largely faultless against Ipswich.

This wasn’t a repeat of the Millwall stroll - a poor visiting side who came expecting very little and had no plan B once they’d conceded the first.

This was a strong, powerful Championship outfit who are by no means out of play-off contention. In fact, following their equaliser, Ipswich looked the brighter of the two sides until Albert Adomah struck.

But the second half was an exhibition from brilliant Boro with Patrick Bamford at his clinical best to cap off a marvellous afternoon.

Positives? Plenty of them. The main one being the confidence Boro will take from the dismantling of the Tractor Boys ahead of two pivotal games on the road.

Here’s what we learnt from the win over Ipswich:

Jordan who? Bamford leads the way while leading the line

If Boro can just show an interest in a goal-grabbing centre-forward every week from now until the end of the season then that will work a treat.

Or at least it will judging by the glut of goals against helpless Ipswich.

Bamford’s wish to lead the line for Boro instead of occupying one of the wide slots is no secret. On this display, why shouldn’t that wish be granted from now until the end of the season?

Patrick Bamford in action against Ipswich

An Ipswich reporter pointed out that their backline hasn’t looked as edgy since the end of the Paul Jewell era at Portman Road - that was almost two and a half years ago.

Credit must go to not only Bamford but Vossen and Albert Adomah, who absolutely terrorised £10m-rated Tyrone Mings throughout, for putting the visitors under unrelenting pressure.

Patrick Bamford celebrates against Ipswich

But that’s been the story of Boro’s season - giving opposing defenders plenty to think about. Unfortunately, on a number of occasions that’s been overshadowed by a lack of composure and a clinical touch in front of goal. You wouldn’t have guessed it on this showing.

Penny for Bamford’s thoughts as a keen onlooker in how the Rhodes situation panned out this week.

There’s every chance he was out to prove a point against Ipswich. He did exactly that.

How vital those four goals could prove to be

The fact a Reading consolation goal briefly took Boro back into the top two before free-scoring Watford scored a fourth just sums up how tight it is at the top.

Four goals for Boro, four for Watford, four for Bournemouth.

As we edge closer to the climax of this terrific Championship campaign, it’s looking more and more likely that those automatic promotion slots could well be determined by goal difference.

Patrick Bamford celebrates against Ipswich

Eyes glance at the GD column just as quickly as they do the points column nowadays.

How grateful we could be for Boro’s rock solid defence come the end of the season.

For Bournemouth it was always going to be a case of how many they scored against Blackpool. It’s a narrative that could repeat itself in games featuring the promotion chasing sides from now until the start of May.

Points will always be the priority but there’s every chance goal difference will act as an extra point.

That said, I’d snap your hand off for 1-0 wins at both Derby and Bournemouth...

Ayala blow but Woodgate turned back the years

It was quite remarkable really. Jonathan Woodgate, at 35-years-old and a history of having to wrap cotton wool around his injury-prone body, strolled into the action in the first half yesterday with just one league appearance to his name all season.

Rusty? Probably, but you wouldn’t have guessed it.

Woodgate was an absolute colossus at the back. Coming up against the league’s most feared marksman, he got an immediate grip of the backline and tucked Murphy quietly away in his back pocket.

Middlesbrough's Patrick Bamford celebrates with Jonathan Woodgate

Vital interceptions, brave headers, calm and composed distribution. As if we needed any reminding as to why Aitor Karanka was so keen to talk his club captain out of retirement last summer.

The Teesside-born centre-half partnership of Woodgate and Gibson never looked like being breached in the second half while Kalas looks just at home at right-back as he does in the heart of the defence.

Two games for Woodgate this season, two wins.

His experience, composure and class could play a big part in the promotion run-in.

Picture gallery: Boro fans at the Riverside for the game against Ipswich

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A roar of delight greeted the full-time whistle as a crowd of 18,909 watched Boro pick up a vital three points against Ipswich.

Other than the 444 travelling Ipswich fans, those who headed for the Riverside for the early kick-off left delighted after a commanding display from the hosts.

Patrick Bamford helped himself to a second half brace after Daniel Ayala and Albert Adomah had both struck in the first half.

Aitor Karanka described the display as "brilliant" as his side kept the pressure on at the top.

Were you at the Riverside for the game? If so, you could be in our gallery of fans in the stands.

Picture gallery and Philip Tallentire's five observations on Boro's 4-1 victory over Ipswich

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What a way to start such a crucial week!

Boro put in one of their best home displays of the season in a comprehensive victory over promotion hopefuls Ipswich Town.

The Gazette's Boro editor Philip Tallentire offers five observations from the game:

1. Patrick Bamford scored two impressive goals but Albert Adomah's much improved display is also a huge positive to take into the critical games against Derby and Bournemouth next week.

2. Boro were denied two penalties, the second of which looked a cast iron claim. However, the referee and his assistant both failed to spot Tommy Smith's foul on Patrick Bamford.

3. Once again Boro conceded a goal as a result of poor concentration. Jonathan Parr had far too much time and space to unleash a shot from distance and Dimi Konstantopoulos then mistimed his diving save and could only push the ball into the path of scorer Daryl Murphy. Fortunately, it didn't prove too costly on the day.

4. Opening goalscorer Dani Ayala limped off after just 24 minutes and must now be a doubt for Boro's hugely important away games at Derby and Bournemouth.

5. Boro won three first half corners and scored from two of them. The two successful corners were were taken short by Adam Clayton, who played one-twos with Grant Leadbitter.

Friday's solar eclipse to be shown on giant screens in Newcastle and Middlesbrough

Amazing is how Gary Fildes describes one of the wonders of nature.

Gary is director of the award-winning Kielder Observatory in Northumberland and admits he is as excited as a schoolboy at the prospect of watching this Friday’s solar eclipse.

Solar eclipses happen when the moon moves in front of the sun, blocking the light and appearing to turn day into night.

There are plans to film the event from the observatory and screen the show on giant screens across the country in real time.

One of the venues will be Grey’s Monument at Newcastle where the action will be seen on a 20-metre screen.

Other locations include Middlesbrough, Leeds, Sheffield, and several spots in London.

It’s all made possible by specialist equipment at the observatory attached to cameras and allowing the event to be seen in real time as it happens.

Gary said: “I’m nearly 50, been doing this all my life, and I am still amazed at the beauty of the universe.

Gary Fildes

A view of Kilder Observatory

“The further North you are the better chance you have of getting a good view of the eclipse on Friday.

“We can watch the event on very sophisticated kit at the observatory which is connected to the cameras to stream live images across the country.

“You can see the disc of the moon pass over the front of the sun in real time.

“Experts will on hand to explain what is happening and we will provide deck chairs for people to sit on while it’s going on.”

It all happens at 9.35am on Friday when the skies across the region will darken as the eclipse begins.

The best places to watch in Europe are the Faroe Islands North of Scotland and the Norwegian islands of Svalbard where the eclipse will be total.

Gary said the event is highly significant to watchers of the sky.

He said: “It’s a chance to witness one of the most incredible and lucky events in the entire Universe.

Owen Humphreys/PA Wire

Members of the Newcastle Astronomical Society with telescopes at St. Mary's Lighthouse in Whitley Bay

“A partial solar eclipse is one of the most historically awe inspiring spectacles known to humanity, this eclipse in the early Spring morning will cause the skies to darken, the birds to stop singing and the planet Venus to become visible.

“On this morning our closest celestial neighbour, the Moon, will pass in front of our home star, the Sun, momentarily blocking out the very light that has nurtured life here on Earth.

“ This event is billed as a ‘partial’ solar eclipse and whilst that may be as clear as mud to most, we do have experts at hand to help us understand what this event actually is.

“Solar eclipses are a result of the geometry of our solar system. For the Sun to be completely covered by the moon they must be the same size in the sky and this is the interesting aspect of what makes these events so incredible.

“We all know that the Sun is way bigger than the Moon, it’s actually 400 times bigger! But it’s also 400 times further away, so the result is they appear to be the same size in the sky. Hence we get solar eclipses.”

Coverage of the live streaming event begins at 8.30am leading to the big moment approximately an hour later.

On hand there will be Kielder Observatory staff along with scientists and students from partners, Durham and Northumbria Universities.

Boro need to sign a Bernie Slaven or Uwe Fuchs, and Jordan Rhodes would do us nicely

Boro could do with a Bernie Slaven or an Uwe Fuchs to get them over the line in the race for Premier League promotion.

So I fully understand their pursuit of Jordan Rhodes as they try to boost their cutting edge during the loan window and find that additional striker who can make the difference.

Anyone who can turn chances into goals and potential defeats into draws and draws into wins - whether they arrive at a club as a loan signing or arrive for money - is worth their weight in gold.

Especially during a promotion push.

If you look at the club’s history, Bernie was an unbelievable signing.

What a steal he was - £25,000 from Albion Rovers.

His stats were phenomenal.

He scored goals fun in Boro’s promotion campaigns, and continued to score them in the top flight.

And big Uwe, what a loan capture he was back in 1995.

The big German scored a barrage of goals and wrote his name into Boro folklore.

It’s interesting to see that many of Boro’s promotion rivals like my old club Nottingham Forest and Derby have identified Rhodes as the man who can do the job for them.

He’s got a great goalscoring record and the reputation that he can be relied on at Championship level.

He’s a sniffer, like Bernie was.

If you look at Boro’s top two scorer’s stats and compare them to the leading marksmen at the other top five clubs, they aren’t as prolific as any of them.

Bamford and Leadbitter have 26 between them this season.

Bournemouth’s Wilson and Kermorgant have a combined 31, Martin and Hendrick at Derby have 27, Ighalo and Deeney at Watford are on 33 and Norwich’s Jerome and Grabban have 29.

It shows that Boro could do with a boost in the goalscoring department and whether a move for Rhodes comes to fruition or not, it’s going to be interesting to see who they do bring in as they target a season-shaping striker.

Whether they get someone who costs a bit or turns out to be a bargain, it won’t matter if he bangs in the goals and gets them back into the Premier League.

The Championship race

We've been getting a few rogue results at the top of the Championship lately, and we’ll probably get a few more yet before the season is out.

Everyone seemed to have a bit of a wobble at the same time, but that can be down to a combination of factors.

Whether teams and players think they have got half the job done and get ahead of themselves, it can all play a part.

There’s also injuries and suspensions that kick in, and it can be a long old season.

Results shockers aren’t great for the fans, and they aren’t ideal for punters who back the favourites either.

But they are all part of what makes football so exciting and unpredictable.

Long gone are the days when clubs had 12 or 13 players and that would be enough for the campaign.

The intensity is such that clubs have big squads and strength in depth in every position and rightly so, because they need to.

The promotion race is getting hotter and more interesting by the week, but it’s great because it really captures the imagination.

If your club is battling to go up or is fighting against relegation, it gives everyone a real sense of purpose.

It’s certainly a lot more interesting than being in mid-table where there isn’t a great deal to play for.

I’m sure Luke will soon be shining

Luke Williams is back at the Boro after his loan spell at Coventry, and I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before he becomes a real first-team factor on Teesside.

I worked with Luke as a youth coach at the Boro and he’s a player I rate highly.

Gordon Strachan loved him and gave him a few first team starts, but he then found it difficult under Tony Mowbray.

He actually started Mogga’s first game as Boro manager, a 2-1 home defeat to Bristol City.

But it wasn’t really the right time and environment then for a young player finding their feet.

Mogga needed results fast to transform the clubs’s fortunes, so it was more a case of leaning on experienced players at the time.

He did make a little bit of progress when he did come in, but then had a spell where he wasn’t able to establish himself for whatever reason.

He has been out on loan at a few places getting experience and he is probably a little bit frustrated that he hasn’t made more of an impact here.

But he has got to be patient and keep going, because if he gets a run of five, six, seven games back-to-back - which he hasn’t had so far - it will do him the world of good.

If anything, he is probably a victim of his own ability because he is such a good footballer that he can play in a number of positions.

He can score and create goals, play wide, behind the strikers and in midfield.

It’s a case of the sooner, the better when it comes to identifying his best position, and I’m sure once that’s done he will be off and running.

Mogga the right man for Sky Blues

My old mate and Boro colleague Tony Mowbray might be waiting for his first win as Coventry manager, but I’m sure he will keep them in League One.

And I’m sure all of the experience he gained while at the Boro helm can only help with that.

Mogga inherited a team near the bottom of the Championship table and had to trim the wage bill when he was here.

So all of that experience and the astute qualities he had to show to turn the entire club around can only serve him well in the Midlands.

He lost his first game with the Sky Blues but then got a draw against Bradford City side who are buzzing.

The Bantams are still in the FA Cup after their giant-slayings of Chelsea and Sunderland, and are pushing for the play-offs in that division.

So that was a good point.

At the moment, Mogga is just getting his feet under the table and finding out who’s who, but I have no doubt that he will keep Coventry up.

When football is in your blood

When football is in your blood and you’ve been in the game, it never leaves you.

It’s what you do.

It’s been a while since I’ve coached at a professional club myself.

But although there’s been a few different things put to me since, they weren’t quite right.

I must say, I’m not desperate to get back into the pro game.

But if I got the right offer and it felt right in my stomach I would certainly look at it and consider it.

Darlington Mowden Park Sharks trio enjoy home comforts as England Women keep Six Nations hopes alive

World champions England kept their slim Six Nations hopes alive after thrashing Scotland 42-13 in last night’s showpiece in Darlington.

Mowden Park Sharks trio Katy McClean, Tamara Taylor and Ruth Laybourn all started on their home ground, as England got their stuttering campaign back on track.

Despite lifting the World Cup in Paris in August 2014, it’s been a disappointing Six Nations campaign so far for England after consecutive away defeats to Wales and Ireland.

But a strong showing in front of 7,620 fans will do much to lift the team’s spirits ahead of next weekend’s final match with tournament favourites France.

England were on the front foot straight from captain McLean’s kick-off, which was spilled forward by Scotland lock Emma Wassell.

From the resulting scrum, England spread the ball out wide and Mowden Park winger Laybourn was on hand to score her first of three tries - with only 54 seconds on the clock.

Scotland hit back with a Lisa Martin penalty, but England vice-captain Taylor then powered through to help England into a commanding 10-3 lead.

England vs Scotland Ladies at The Arena at Darlington

Just before the half hour mark, England won a penalty and opted for the lineout rather than taking the three points.

And that decision paid off as a clean throw resulted in prop Justine Lucas driving over the line for England’s third try.

The hosts grabbed their fourth try on 36 minutes as Rochelle Clark drove over - and it was already a case of damage limitation for Scotland.

On 49 minutes England extended their advantage through Fiona Pocock, but straight up the other end a knock-on by Ceri Large fell perfectly for Scotland winger Eilidh Sinclair - and the visitors drew to within 12 points.

Shortly before the hour mark Laybourn touched down for her second score of the game, and Lydia Thompson also got on the scoresheet.

England ended the game with 14 men after McLean sent to the sin bin for persistent offending.

But Laybourn’s hat-trick in the final minute capped off a terrific result.

Redcar toddler Jersey-Star keeps smiling despite battle with hip condition

This gorgeous little girl well and truly lives up to her name.

At just 27-months-old, Jersey-Star has already gone through more than any little girl of her age should.

But despite this, the toddler is a shining light and has never stopped smiling.

Jersey-Star was born with hip dysplasia - a condition where the ball and socket hip joint fails to develop fully and does not fit together.

As a result, she has had to undergo several bouts of treatment and numerous operations.

“She is always smiling but all this must be difficult for her,” said proud mum Natasha Siviter, 29.

The condition was unearthed following routine tests that every newborn has.

“I knew what some were for, but the test where the doctor pulls on the legs I didn’t,” said Natasha, also mum to Rio, seven, and nine-year-old Angel.

“I felt like I should have been told because I soon needed to know why they do it.

“After the test was done, I was told something wasn’t quite right and the next morning we had to go back to James Cook as a matter of urgency.

“Jersey then had all these tests carried out on her and the next thing I knew I was being told she had to be wear a harness for three months.”

The first stage of treatment for hip dysplasia is for the baby to be put into a palvick harness. This device is designed to keep the hips in the correct position.

But unfortunately for Jersey and her family, this treatment failed to correct the problem.

“My head was completely gone,” said Natasha, a full-time mum who lives in Redcar with husband, Roy, 35.

“My baby had been in this harness for nine weeks and now I was being told she faced more treatment.”

Jersey-Star with siblings Rio and Angel

Jersey-Star then underwent closed reduction at six months - where the hip joints are manipulated to get the ball into the socket - and then an open reduction - surgery to try and make the hip joints more stable.

But both of these failed and Jersey then had to undergo femoral shortening. This operation saw Jersey have 1cm taken from each femur bone and metal plates inserted in an attempt to keep the hips in the correct position.

As a result, the little girl then had to be put into a spica cast - a cast from the chest to the ankles - for six months to allow for the healing process to take place.

This was taken off last August and Jersey-Star is now requiring regular physiotherapy and hydrotherapy to get her steady on her feet.

“It has been so difficult,” said Natasha.

“To have your baby in a body cast was horrible.

“Even simple things like changing her nappy was such a mission and she would get fed up, as anyone would.”

Jersey-Star now has “good days and bad days” - often getting extreme pain in her legs.

“She will face more surgery and will also need more physio and hydrotherapy,” said Natasha.

“But they can’t give it us at the hospital due to numbers so we are now fundraising to pay for the treatment privately.

“It costs about £100 per hour but we just want to give Jersey everything we can to get her stronger.”

The fundraising page was set up by Natasha’s dad Tony Farley, 55, and his wife Donna, and there is already over £3,500 in the bank.

“We have had so much support in such a short space of time, said Natasha. “We are so thankful.

“Jersey-Star is so determined to walk and she tries really hard, but this support is so necessary so we can help her achieve this.”

To help, visit http://bit.ly/19jIaBl

New Sikh temple and up to 80 new homes planned for Middlesbrough's Gresham ward

A new Sikh temple and about 80 “good quality homes” are part of plans for Middlesbrough’s Gresham ward.

The regeneration plans have been revealed in a new report to be presented to Middlesbrough Council’s executive on Tuesday.

Once called a “cancer” that needed “cutting out” of the town by Middlesbrough Mayor Ray Mallon in 2005, he admitted in 2013 he had made a “mistake” regarding Gresham and decided to halt the demolition programme.

The report titled Gresham - Next Steps makes a series of recommendations beginning with the need for a development brief for the area and also to seek a development partner for up to 80 residential properties in Phase 1.

It also aims to “support the wishes of the Sikh community” by giving an option agreement on an area of the site for the relocation of the current temple.

A multi-storey car park, community buildings, open spaces, retail development and “live and work” units have all been identified as possibilities further down the line.

Phase 1 for residential redevelopment is the area bounded by Waverley Street, Union Street, Walpole Street and Princes Road.

There is also a proposal for a neighbourhood action plan to be developed with residents and businesses on Linthorpe Road, Borough Road and Parliament Road to establish priorities for future investment.

Since the Gresham project was announced in 2005 the council has rehoused 589 households and demolished 280 properties.

It has also secured millions of pounds of investment for a variety of improvement projects and provided grants for repairs.

Cllr Charlie Rooney, executive member for regeneration, said: “Early discussions have been very encouraging and there is undoubtedly a growing momentum of development in the town.

“However, it is of absolute importance that we have a development brief in place that will ensure that the redevelopment of Gresham is deliverable and achieves the high quality that the council requires.

“The brief will articulate the council’s vision and encourage developers to deliver that high quality residential development that would assist in the creation of a stable, vibrant and balanced town centre housing market.”

Two Teesside brothers jailed for 'brutal' baseball bat assault on third brother

A long-running family feud over a father’s will erupted in violence when two brothers attacked their sibling with a baseball bat and iron bar, a court heard.

Stephen Fenwick suffered a “brutal” two-minute assault from brothers Gerald, 50, and Lee, 38, outside his Middlesbrough home while his wife and four-year-old daughter were inside.

Teesside Crown Court heard yesterday that the brothers’ dispute over the £15,000 estate left by their late father “was a sore that festered”.

“Tensions were running pretty high” on September 11 last year when the attack took place, said Peter Sabiston, prosecuting.

“Stephen at the time still lived in close proximity to one of his brothers,” he said.

On arriving home at around 4.30pm that day “and perhaps inadvisably, he walked across and called Gerald a ‘thieving ****, you robbed our mam and I can’t stand you’,” said Mr Sabiston.

Gerald and Lee Fenwick knocked on Stephen’s door at around 10.45pm that night, accompanied by Stephen’s nephew Arron.

“He answered the door to tell them to go away,” said the prosecutor. “Lee ran at him...they shouted ‘We’re going to kill you, we told you to let it go.’”

Stephen Fenwick was punched and struck to the head with the baseball bat. He was taken to hospital and treated for lacerations to the top of his head and grazes to his back.

“The whole incident only lasted about two minutes, but he said during that short period he thought he would be killed,” said Mr Sabiston.

In a victim statement Stephen said he was “not the happy-go-lucky person” he used to be after the assault. “I can’t believe members of my own family would do this to me and it was all over money,” he said.

Andrew Stranex, defending Gerald Fenwick, of Carisbrooke Avenue, Middlesbrough, said it was “an isolated incident in the life of a man who is now 50 years of age” and who has no previous convictions for public disorder or violence.

He told police in interview: “I’m sorry I went around there and I’m sorry I caused those injuries.”

David Lamb for Lee Fenwick, of Ragpath Lane, Stockton, said his client “is not a violent man”.

“There was a long-running family feud over the terms of the will. Whatever the rights and wrongs of it Gerald and Lee considered that Stephen was in the wrong,” Mr Lamb added.

Gerald and Lee Fenwick both admitted unlawful wounding and possession of an offensive weapon and were each jailed for 21 months.

Arron Fenwick, 20, also of Ragpath Lane, who admitted affray, accepting he was there and “encouraged what was going on”, was given a 12- months community order with 12 months supervision and 18 hours’ unpaid work.

Quality of information given to care homes after residents leave hospital to be investigated

The quality of information provided to care home providers when residents are discharged from hospital is to be investigated.

Care home managers raised concerns at the “deterioration in health” and the poor information provided regarding residents’ health needs and medication on leaving hospital at a meeting of Middlesbrough Council’s social care and adult services scrutiny panel.

Now councillors have recommended that the issue is fully investigated.

The authority’s health scrutiny panel with support from the Teeswide Safeguarding Adults Board will look into this.

The social care and adult services scrutiny panel made a series of recommendations at a meeting held this week to ensure the safeguarding of adults in residential care in Middlesbrough.

They have recommended a high-profile publicity campaign to raise awareness of abuse and neglect “helping people understand the different types of abuse, how to stay safe and what to do to raise a concern about the safety, wellbeing or welfare of an adult”.

All care home residents will receive relevant information about recognising abuse, their rights and how to express their concerns.

“Improving awareness will enable adults at risk to protect themselves from abuse and ensure their safety” the panel - chaired by Cllr Mick Thompson - said.

As reported, five vulnerable adults a day were “alerted” to the authorities as being at risk of abuse or neglect in Middlesbrough care homes.

In 2013/14 there were 1,100 alerts from care homes, of which 312 were referred into full safeguarding procedures. Referrals can vary from serious medication errors, concerns that carers have abused or neglected a resident, or concerns that family members are financially abusing a resident.

Rachel Mawer, contracts and commissioning implementation manager at Middlesbrough Council, told the previous meeting that the majority were “A on B” situations - where one resident has hurt another adding: “We see alerts as a good thing, we would be more concerned by a home which didn’t make any”.

At the previous meeting care home staff said residents had been discharged from hospital with “bedsores” and in “deteriorating health” and they don’t always receive a full discharge sheet.

Joint training with the care home sector, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to provide emergency contact details (already implemented), the council working with Teeswide Safeguarding Adults Board to look at new ways for a person-centred approach to safeguarding and for the council to produce a good safeguarding practice guide for care homes are the other recommendations made by the panel.

Cllr Mick Thompson said of carers: “It’s not the best paid job in the world but it’s one of the most important ones.”

Live: Boro v Ipswich Town at the Riverside Stadium

January’s scintillating form seems a long time ago with Boro having lost three of their last five matches in the league.

But an unfortunate home defeat against Leeds last month is Boro’s only home reverse since August.

They have since recorded back-to-back home victories against Bolton and Millwall, keeping clean sheets in both of those fixtures.

Ipswich were ploughing up the division as they dismantled Boro 2-0 in December but since then injuries have taken their toll and Town have drifted into their worst run of form all term and dipped out of the top six.

Ipswich have won just one in five and have lost five of their last 10. Their impressive home form record has held up with two wins, one draw and one loss in the last four - but on the road they have really struggled with four defeats in five.

$12bn pledged for Egypt

The Saudi government would give Egypt $4 billion (over SR15 billion) in aid to help secure and develop its economy, Crown Prince Muqrin, deputy premier, announced here Friday. Prince Muqrin said $2 billion (SR7.5 billion) would be deposited in the Egyptian Central Bank, while the rest would be distributed for developmental assistance through the Saudi Development Fund.

The UAE and Kuwait have also pledged $4 billion each, bringing the total investments and central bank deposits by the three Gulf Cooperation Council countries to $12 billion (SR45 billion). Addressing the three-day Egypt Economic Development Conference in the Red Sea resort city of Sharm El-Sheikh, Prince Muqrin said the Kingdom has already given Egypt nonrefundable aid in various forms, including petroleum grants.

He said the aim of the support is to ensure that Egypt has a stable economy and can stand up to security threats. He condemned the terror attacks across the country, and urged the international community to play its role in helping the country, and not take decisions that would see it accused of double standard. Prince Muqrin said that Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman wants the country to prosper.

He praised Egypt for its recent economic reforms, which would create an attractive environment for investors. There have already been signs of economic recovery, he said. He said King Salman is confident that the “wisdom” of President Abdel Fattah El-Sissi would help achieve this economic turnaround. The delegation includes Adviser at the Court of the Crown Prince, Prince Mansour bin Muqrin; Finance Minister Ibrahim Al-Assaf; Commerce and Industry Minister Tawfiq Al-Rabiah; Culture and Information Minister Adel Al-Toraifi; and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Nizar Madani.

El-Sissi thanked the Kingdom for its efforts under the late King Abdullah and now King Salman, which he said would help stabilize the country and ensure its development. He also lauded the rulers of the UAE, Kuwait, Jordan and Bahrain. On the sidelines of the conference, Crown Prince Muqrin met with Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah and discussed bilateral relations and various regional and international developments.

Also attending are delegations from 100 countries in Africa, Latin America, Asia, Europe and North America. There are also 25 Arab and international organizations participating in the conference. The conference is expected to attract more than 2,000 government and business leaders from across the world, including the International Monetary Fund’s Christine Lagarde and US Secretary of State John Kerry.

Cairo wants to double foreign investment in this fiscal year to $8 billion. “I’m expecting here to see $15-$20 billion in agreements signed,” Investment Minister Ashraf Salman told Reuters earlier, adding that the deals would cover power plants, real estate and agricultural projects