Thursday 13th. October 2011

Last weekend we played 211 League games which is quite remarkable bearing in mind that the North Riding County Cup also began last Sunday. The number of League goals totalled 1,056 with no fewer than 62 players scoring hat-tricks or better.

Some great individual performances again last Sunday, notably by Joseph Vickers who scored 7 goals for Northallerton Juniors Under 11, who play in division two. That was in a game away to Spraire Lads in Darlington which I thought may have been a lot closer than the final scoreline seems to suggest. Also, Tyrone O'Neill for Marske United from the second tier of Under 12 slotted in 7 goals for his team, but the best goalscoring performance last Sunday was by Robert Bell who scored no fewer than eight times for Middleton Rangers in the Under 12 sixth division.

Some really close matches from those mini-soccer games highlighted last week, as TIBS "a" drew 0-0 at home to Boro' Rangers in the Under 10 North Riding first division and, at Under 9 level in the second division over in the Durham area Wynyard Village hosted Billingham Town and they drew 1-1. The Wynyard scorer was Michael Chilvers with the Billingham Town goal coming from Joshua Dale.

The points were also shared in the top game in the Under 14 third division as Middleton Rangers travelled across to Hardwick and drew 1-1. Goals in that game from Josh Wilkinson for Hardwick with the Middleton goal coming from Daniel Crane.

A tremendous game over at Stokesley as the Under 18 "a" team hosted a strong Greatham FC outfit. In a seven goal thriller it was the home team who came away with the three points following a 4-3 win. Goals from Joe Evans, Christopher Horsley and Cameron Ingledew for Greatham, but two Ryan McGouran strikes and further goals by Liam Fox and Ryan Peebles secured a hard-fought victory for the Stokesley "a" side.

The League points were shared in a match over at New Marske who were entertaining Thornaby Central in the Under 16 third division. Again both teams went into this game with 100% records, but a goal from Daniel Mendum for New Marske and Matthew Appleby for Thornaby meant that both those records went, although both remain unbeaten at this stage of the season.

Earlier that day the New Marske Under 10 North Riding "b" team were also in action in an excellent match against Great Ayton. These were another two teams who had won all of their opening fixtures but again the honours were shared as the match ended 0-0.

A very good win for Kader Juniors at Under 12 in the third division as they continued their impressive start to the season when they entertained Barnard Castle. A 4-2 win keeps Kader at the top of the table and the only remaining team in that division with a 100% record. Goals in this game from Joe Douglas and Luke Wood who both scored twice for Kader, with the two Barnard Castle goals coming from Izaak Holywell and Thomas Merryweather.

Hardwick Youth were another team to keep up their great start to the season as they beat a good Redcar Town "b" team by 3 goals to nil in the Under 11 sixth division. A win which keeps Hardwick joint top of the division having scored an impressive 17 goals against just 2 in their opening three games. Hardwick's goalscorers were James Mitchell who scored twice with their third coming from Jamie Lake-Varley.

Finally from last weekend, a good win for Thornaby on Tees in the Under 14 fourth division against a Billingham Synthonia team who are likely to be one of their main rivals for honours this season. A 4-2 win for Thornaby came courtesy of a hat-trick by Lewis Barrett, Morgan Hendry weighing in with their fourth, while the Synners' goals in that game came from Lee Hunt and James Thompson.

Well, another big weekend of League fixtures with no fewer than 254 games scheduled. Some matches which whet the appetite as follows:

My top pick at mini-soccer would be the Under 10 Durham second division game between Stockton Town Blue and Middleton Rangers. Both teams have 100% winning records after their first three matches and they have scored 19 goals between them whilst conceding only 3. A really tight-looking game on paper, the result of this match could go either way. (12:30pm)

A super looking game at Under 11 when Marton FC "b" host near neighbours Boro' Rangers in the top division. Marton have scored 10 goals in three and Boro' Rangers 14 goals in two and both teams have conceded just one goal apiece so far. This should be a great game for the neutral and the outcome is anyone's guess. (11:00am)

My top match at Under 12 level is the mouth-watering first division clash between another two 100% teams, as Wolviston make the journey across to Spraire Lads in Darlington. Impressive starts by both teams and, on paper, a draw looks the most likely outcome. Time will tell! (11:00am)

My Under 13 choice again comes from the top flight as Stokesley FC "a" play hosts to Nunthorpe Athletic. Both have made very good starts to the new season and this looks as though it could be a great game of football for those who like very close matches. Stokesley appear to be the side with more bite in attack, but Nunthorpe have a brilliant defence and it will be interesting to see who comes out on top this Sunday. (11:00am)

Bishop Auckland Aces travel across to Marton FC for the top match in the Under 15 first division. A game Marton will need to take something from if they are going to stop this very useful Bishop Auckland team extending their lead at the top of this division. Two very good sides and good performances are expected from both sets of players. (1:30pm)

In the Under 16 first division expect a very hard game between Norton & Stockton Ancients and Marton FC. These long time rivals meet up over at Station Road in what looks an intriguing contest. With Marton not having yet conceded a single League goal they will be tested to the limit by a more than useful Norton & Stockton outfit. (1:30pm)

In our oldest age group, the Under 18's, the top match of the day has to be over at Thornaby on Tees where they host Grangetown YCC "b" in the third division. Grangetown are many people's favourites for the Championship this season and they have made a great start, unbeaten in their opening two games and not yet having conceded a single goal. But Thornaby are a tough nut to crack and are going well themselves, with two out of two wins. This looks like being a superb game in our oldest age group. (1:30pm)

Another fine looking match in prospect over at Barnard Castle in the Under 16 fourth division as they host Great Ayton this Sunday. Barnard Castle are five wins from five and are worthy League leaders but Great Ayton have also won all of their opening three matches and have conceded only three goals. This could be a great game for the neutral supporter and a game which promises to be a no quarter asked or given encounter. (1:30pm)

Other "stand-out" league fixtures this weekend would include:

Under 9 Durham - Div. 2 Billingham Town v Leven AFC (12:30pm)
Under 9 North Riding - Div. 2 Stokesley FC v Guisborough Town "a" (12:30pm)
Under 10 Durham - Div. 3 Billingham Synthonia v Mount Pleasant Rangers (12:30pm)
Under 10 North Riding - Div. 3 Great Ayton v Normanby Juniors (12:30pm)
Under 12 - Div. 1 Boro' Rangers v Kader FC (11:00am)
Under 14 - Div. 3 Fishburn Boys v Primrose Hill (1:30pm)
Under 15 - Div. 3 Newton Aycliffe Youth v TIBS FC (1:30pm)
Under 15 - Div. 5 Darlington TSC v Richmond Town (1:30pm)
Under 16 - Div. 3 Thornaby Central v Nunthorpe Athletic "b" (1:30pm)
Under 18 - Div. 2 Cleveland Juniors v Redcar Town (1:30pm)

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