Thursday 12th. January 2012

A great start to 2012 with 213 matches taking place in both TJFA League and TJFA Cup Competitions. From those matches the players managed to score 1,023 goals and there were 55 players who knocked in hat-tricks or better. Indeed, four players managed to find the back of the net no fewer than five times each. They were Tom Atkinson for Yarm Town Juniors Under 18 in a League Cup quarter final match, Luca Dunn for Middleton Rangers in the Under 15 fourth division, Jack Watson for Northallerton Juniors in the Under 16 fourth division and Liam Woodhouse for Grangetown YCC "B" in the Under 18 third division.

A single goal for Isaac Walker was enough to see Boro' Rangers Under 12 into the semi final draw of the TJFA League Cup against a well organised Wolviston Juniors. Also a 3-0 win, with a splendid hat-trick by McCorrie Smith of Redcar Athletic, was enough to see them progress in the same Competition across at Newton Aycliffe Youth Eagles.

The Marton FC "A" team edged out their "B" team in the Under 18 League Cup over at Hall Drive last Sunday to keep them in the hat for the semi-final draw. They won the quarter final tie by three goals to one. The important goals in this one from Danny Lofts, who scored for the Marton "B" team, but a double from Josh Turner and a third from Liam Kelley enough to see the first division "A" team and Championship favourites safely through.

Brinkburn FC made the journey across to Spraire Lads in Darlington a pleasant one as they recorded a fine 4-1 win in the Under 14 League Cup quarter final. The Spraire Lads goal from Jordan Colley but goals from Michael Connolly, Jack Gibson, Liam Measor and Michael Snowden made sure that this very good Brinkburn side will be in the semi-final draw next month.

In the TJFA Challenge Cup at Under 18 level the Yarm Town Juniors team were in goal-scoring mood and they put eight goals past Ferryhill Town who, by scoring three times themselves, tried hard to make a game of it. The goals from Ferryhill Town from Bradley Wilkinson who scored twice and Richard Brown. I mentioned earlier that Tom Atkinson had scored five times for Yarm Town Juniors, their other goals from Dale Wilkinson, who bagged himself a brace, and Scott Ferguson.

Into the League and the best looking mini-soccer match in the North Riding area looked to be over at Whinney Banks, when their fourth placed YCC Team entertained Cargo Fleet Juniors who are currently sitting in third place in the Under 9 second division. This proved to be a great game with the points eventually shared in a 1-1 draw. Matty Fleming on target for Whinney Banks with Dean Jennison scoring for Cargo Fleet Juniors. A result which means that the divisional places remain unaltered and both of these teams are still in with a major shout for League honours at the end of the season.

The Acklam FC Under 12 team maintained their great form this season with a resounding 4-0 win against Middleton Rangers in the sixth division. The Acklam team did really well to stop the free-scoring Middleton side getting on the score-sheet, although the Acklam defence has been on top form all season long. All four Acklam goals were scored by the impressive Louis Hall and this win moves them to within one point of the League leaders and they still have games in hand on most teams around them.

The Acklam Under 13 team didn't fare quite as well as their younger counterparts as they made the journey across to Bishop Auckland St. Mary's in the fourth division. They lost a bit of ground on other Championship contenders and Bishop Auckland managed to leap-frog them and move into second place in the table following a 3-1 win. The Acklam goal from Charlie Schumm, but Thomas Wilkinson who netted twice and Harry Coulthard with the third kept Bishop Auckland right on course for a visit to The Tall Trees in June.

A thriller in the second division at Under 16 level as Stockton Town hosted Redcar Town "B" last Sunday and it was Stockton Town who managed to collect all three points with a narrow 4-3 win. Two goals from Joe Robson and Redcar's third from Lewis Hopson were not enough to stop Stockton Town moving to within a point of the second division leaders and also inflicting their first League defeat on them. The Stockton Town goal-scorers were Jack Davies who scored twice, Callum Carberry and Josh Haley.

In the third division at Under 16, Stockton Rangers made the journey across to East Cleveland to play New Marske. These two teams had lost just a single game each prior to this game, but it was New Marske who gained the three points, with a comfortable 4-0 win which moves them into second place in the table. Goals in this game from Daniel Mendum, who scored twice, with Taylor Bickerstaff and Joey Drinkhall also getting on the score-sheet.

Redcar Town "A" kept their impressive unbeaten start to the season with a fine 2-0 win over Boro' Rangers in the Under 10 North Riding first division. Goals for Daniel Bavin and Liam Williams for Redcar Town which moves them into third place in yet another hugely competitive division.

TIBS FC "B" moved into second place in the Under 10 North Riding second division with an excellent 2-1 win over at Smiths Dock Park in a game where they narrowly beat the South Park Rangers "Red" team by two goals to one. The South Park Rangers goal from Harry Howes, but the three vital points went to TIBS with goals from Teddy Clark and Harvey Ford.

Finally from last weekend, in the first division at Under 18 level which is our oldest age group, supporters saw a cracking match between Spraire Lads and Stokesley FC "A". This game eventually ended in a 4-4 draw. Goals from Connor Bain, Matthew Plumb, Zak Tervit and an own goal for Spraire Lads with Liam Fox, Ryan Peebles, Lewis Ramage and Jack Williams all on target for Stokesley "A". Still only a few points separating the top four or five Teams in this very competitive division.

Next Sunday is a League weekend and we have no fewer than 237 fixtures scheduled, with my suggested preferences as follows:

The top mini-soccer match looks like being over at Marton FC where their "B" team entertain TIBS "A" in the Under 10 North Riding first division. Marton are currently in second place and they are hosting the League leaders who are currently two points ahead after playing the same number of matches. A match of the highest quality which should be a very close affair. (12:30pm)

One of the top matches at Under 11 level would be the game being played down in Northallerton where Norton & Stockton are the visitors. With Northallerton top and hosting the second placed side they know that a win in this one will put them firmly on course for end of season honours. But Norton & Stockton are a good side and, although Northallerton may be favourites, this game could be very close at the final whistle. (11:00am)

Third placed Leven AFC play hosts to fourth placed Tollesby Athletic in the top Under 12 match in the fourth division. Both teams have lost just the one League match so far and, while the two sides have excellent attacking players, both defences have done really well this season and this is a tough game to call. These two teams may have to settle for a draw at the final whistle. We'll see! (11:00am)

A must see game for the neutral supporter as Kader FC play hosts to Marton FC "A" in the Under 13 top flight. These two sides have been involved in close Championship deciding matches over the last few seasons and this year it is no different. With both teams unbeaten and having drawn their earlier League match across at Marton, there is everything to play for on Sunday. A match which could definitely go either way, with once again the draw looking the most probable end result. (11:00am)

Into the third division for my choice of one of the top games where, at Under 14 level, Middleton Rangers welcome Kader FC Juniors. Both teams are going really well this season and have lost just the one match each. Kader have a number of games in hand over their hosts and may be slight favourites, but Middleton are a prolific outfit in terms of finding the back of the net and this could be a high scoring and entertaining game. (1:30pm)

The Under 15 first division throws up a great fixture on Sunday as Cleveland Juniors make the journey across to Bishop Auckland St. Mary's. The hosts sit second while their opponents are in third place and it is these matches which ultimately decide where the silverware will go at the end of the season. An evenly matched contest in prospect as the top two goal-scoring teams in this division go head to head. Too close to call! (1:30pm)

The Under 15 third division also delivers a top notch encounter between Richmond Town and St. Francis 2000. Richmond are in second place and they know they will have to get something out of this game if they want to prevent the 100% St. Francis team from going even further clear at the top of this division. St. Francis must be warm favourites, but Richmond are unlikely to give them an easy ride in an eagerly awaited contest. (1:30pm)

Greatham FC welcome Whinney Banks YCC to their venue on Sunday in the Under 16 top flight. Greatham are having an excellent season and are the "dark horses" in this division. Both teams have lost just once so far, but Greatham know that a win on Sunday would put them firmly in the drivers seat for end of season honours. This could be one of the best games of the day. (1:30pm)

Finally, my number one selection in our oldest age group would be the game across at Darlington as Mount Pleasant Rangers play hosts to Marton FC "B" in the second division. Marton are currently unbeaten, but Mount Pleasant are only two points behind the second placed outfit and know that a win would lift them into second place. Expect a high-scoring match which could be very close at the final whistle. A must see game for the neutral supporter over in Darlington. (1:30pm)

Some other "good looking" fixtures would include:

Under 9 Durham - Div. 3 Middleton Rangers v Heighington AFC (12:30pm)
Under 9 N/Riding - Div. 2 Guisborough Town "A" v Whinney Banks YCC (12:30pm)
Under 9 N/Riding - Div. 3 Acklam FC v Fishburn Park (12:30pm)
Under 10 Durham - Div. 2 Bishop Auckland "Kings" v Middleton Rangers (12:30pm)
Under 11 - Div. 3 Stokesley FC v Fishburn Park (11:00am)
Under 12 - Div. 3 Greatham FC "A" v Billingham Rangers (11:00am)
Under 13 - Div. 3 TIBS FC "B" v Middleton Rangers (11:00am)
Under 13 - Div. 4 Wolviston Juniors v Bishop Auckland "Kings" (11:00am)
Under 15 - Div. 5 Richmond Town v St. Francis 2000 (1:30pm)

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