Thursday 10th. February 2011

Didn't we say last Thursday that we had a wary eye on the weather? Great stuff, the rain started one day too early and didn't stop until Sunday night! Amazing how it always affects Cup weeks, but in fairness, we still did pretty much okay last weekend. Well done to everyone who worked so hard to make the pitches playable.

There were 125 games played in total and a vital 37 of those were played in the TJFA Cup Competitions. There were 588 goals scored in last weekend's matches. 44 players recorded hat-tricks or better and a few "heads up" for a couple of the players, as we always do on a weekly basis. Two players scored six goals each and they were Benjamin Dawkins of South Park Rangers "a" in the Under 11 third division and Nathan Wilson for Primrose Hill Under 11 in the second round of the TJFA Challenge Cup. But the best scoring performance by an individual last week was credited to Callum Atkinson of Redcar Town "b" who play in the Under 11 second division and he grabbed himself a hat-trick of hat-tricks by scoring 9 goals for his team.

Well, my number one choice last weekend in the TJFA League Cup was washed away by the rain over at Great Ayton where the Under 14's were due to meet Marton Hall Drive, but that Cup tie will come around again in early March, if not before. There were some great games out there again last weekend. One of my favourite divisions is the Under 15 top flight where there have been some really titanic battles for the Championship during at least the last four seasons with these teams. I mentioned on last week's show that, the week before last, Whinney Banks YCC went over to Marton FC and came away with three points following a tremendous 3-0 win. Well, Marton FC are made of sterner stuff and they bounced back in style on Sunday with a fantastic 5-1 win away at Redcar Town "a". Two goals each for Josh Darby and Anthony Stephens with a fifth by Safa Mohammed, the goal from Redcar Town coming from Jordie Duncan. To put that win into a little bit more perspective, that is the first League defeat suffered by Redcar Town "a" since the 25th. October 2009 and ended a fantastic run by them of 25 games without a reversal. Well done to them for that great run, but congratulations to Marton FC as well for bouncing back against a very useful side in some style. Also pleasing to report excellent marks for the Match Official, Tommy Turner, from both teams in that game.

Trimdon United increased their advantage at the top of the Under 13 sixth division with a fine 5-2 home win over Stockton Rangers who are in second place. Trimdon's goals from Keiron Naylor and Josh McKeown with three for Connor Young, Stockton Rangers replying through Kienan Johnson and Alex Marsden.

If anyone stayed over at Trimdon for the afternoon games they were in for a real treat and no wonder junior football attracts big crowds. In the Under 15 TJFA League Cup third round match Trimdon were hosting Greatham FC from Hartlepool. The match gave spectators a 17 goal thriller with Greatham eventually making it into the next stage of the competition with a 9-8 win. Eleven different scorers in that one, so too many to mention tonight, but the best was a hat-trick for Kyle Jenkins, who still ended up on the losing side.

An absolutely amazing result for Stokesley FC Under 14 who dented the 100% record of the high-flying and very useful Boro' Rangers team last Sunday in the first division. A goal by Hal Denny was enough to secure the three points. A strange team Stokesley FC who, although mid-table, are more than capable of springing the odd surprise.

There was a great win for TIBS FC "b" across at Billingham Rangers in the Under 11 third division. TIBS are leading that division, but this was a difficult match against the second placed team, TIBS edging the three points with a narrow 3-2 win. A hat-trick by young Joseph Searby with both the Rangers goals coming from Sam Harrison.

In theUnder 11 sixth division, where around five teams still have a chance of league honours, Acklam FC hosted Eaglescliffe Elementis and gained a vital three points with a 3-0 win. Two goals for Lucas Brown and a third from Dylan Elliott keeps alive their hopes of a visit to the Tall Trees in May.

In an East Cleveland local derby Loftus got the better of Saltburn Athletic in the Under 15 fourth division and came away 5-2 winners. Luke Weed of Loftus FC with 4 more to his tally and the other from Thomas Rispin. Saltburn's goals came from Dan Milestone and Sam Sonnen. That's yet another tight division and no-one would like to place bets just yet on who will be the top two teams come the end of May.

Finally from last weekend, the points were shared between hosts Whinney Banks YCC who played Nunthorpe Athletic "a" in the Under 13 top flight. Two goals for Lewis Wilson for Whinney Banks with both of the Nunthorpe goals coming from Shaun Hudson. Nunthorpe still unbeaten in that division and looking strong contenders for end of season honours.

Well, virtually a full League programme scheduled this coming weekend with around 238 matches to look forward to. Some great games so we'll start with:

Under 14 - Div. 1 - B. Auckland St. Mary's "a" v Marton Hall Drive - 1:30pm
A great game in prospect as teams with very similar records in the first division go head to head. Both teams have lost just the one game so far and the key to this match may be the excellent defence of Marton Hall Drive. They have conceded a total of only 7 goals in their seven games so far.

Under 15 - Div. 3 - Stockton Town v Leven AFC - 1:30pm
The top two sides in this division meet head to head over at Stockton. Stockton Town are currently unbeaten and will be the warm favourites for the title if they win this one. This should be a good game for the neutral as both sides are very impressive in attack.

Under 16 - Div. 4 - Thornaby on Tees v Eaglescliffe Elementis - 1:30pm
Some great matches in this division on Sunday with the top six sides all playing against one another. The pick is probably the match between the top two with unbeaten Thornaby hosting Eaglescliffe. Again another match which should be good to watch as they are the top two scoring sides in that division.

Under 10 Durham - Div. 1 - Billingham Synthonia v Cumby Rovers - 12:30pm
A great mini-soccer game in prospect in a very tight and competitive division. This looks an excellent little game with perhaps Cumby Rovers holding the better chance based on their attacking prowess. This is a hard one to call though and a draw may be the outcome at the final whistle.

Under 10 N/R - Div. 1 - Nunthorpe Athletic v Marton FC "b" - 12:30pm
Third play top in this smashing looking game between two teams who are going well in the League this season. Both are very good all-round teams with solid defences, but both sides also know where the back of the opposition net is. Another mini-soccer game which should have some excellent talent on show and another difficult match to call the outcome of.

Some other cracking games this weekend as well,

Under 9 N/R - Div. 1 Marton FC v TIBS FC "a" - 12:30pm
Under 11 - Div. 6 Middleton Rangers v Prissick Rovers - 11:00am
Under 13 - Div. 4 Middleton Rangers v Newton Aycliffe Youth - 11:00am
Under 13 - Div. 5 Beechwood Youth v Redcar Athletic "b" - 11:00am
Under 15 - Div. 2 21st. Allstars "a" v Brompton Juniors - 1:30pm
Under 16 - Div. 2 Mount Pleasant Rangers v Stockton West End - 1:30pm
Under 16 - Div. 4 Brompton Juniors v California Boys - 1:30pm
Under 16 - Div. 4 Stokesley FC v Prissick Rovers "b" - 1:30pm
Under 18 - Div. 1 Redcar Athletic "a" v Marton FC - 1:30pm
Under 18 - Div. 2 21st. Allstars v Redcar Athletic "b" - 1:30pm

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