Thursday 15th. December 2011

The weather prevented a few games going ahead last Sunday but, even accounting for a number of County Cup matches also taking place, we did very well to play 198 League games which yielded 906 goals. There were 58 players who scored hat-tricks or better and from those, five players managed to hit the target no fewer than 5 times.

I mentioned last week that a draw may be the favoured outcome in the top match in the North Riding Under 10 first division and the points were indeed shared, as Boro' Rangers hosted their local rivals Marton FC "B", the game ending goalless. TIBS FC "A" took advantage of that draw when they won by seven goals to nil across at Kader FC and have now extended their lead at the top of the division by two points. The TIBS goals from Jake Ward who scored twice, Harry Hamblett and James Owens, with Jack French scoring an excellent hat-trick.

Thirsk Falcons went to the top of the Under 11 fourth division with a remarkable 7-3 win over the previously unbeaten Ferryhill Town. I must admit I thought this match would be much closer than than the final scoreline suggests. The Ferryhill goals from Danny Dunn, Blake Metcalfe and Kieron Richardson, but four goals from Thomas Scott, two from James Spence and their seventh from George Till keeps Thirsk right on track for end of season honours.

Middleton Rangers managed to do what no other team has done so far this season when they inflicted the first defeat on Primrose Hill in the Under 14 third division. The 2-1 scoreline suggests a very close match, but this win moves Middleton to within four points of the League leaders. Goals for Daniel Crane and Harry Notman for Middleton with the Primrose strike courtesy of their prolific striker David Powell.

The absolutely magnificent record and the scintillating current form of Fishburn Park shows no sign of relenting in the Under 9 North Riding third division. They have no match next week, so they go into the Christmas and New Year break having won 11 games and conceding no goals, an amazing achievement. Last Sunday they travelled up from Whitby to play a very useful Tollesby Athletic side and recorded a 2-0 win. The Fishburn Park goals from the outstanding Brandon Finn and another from Ryan Hewison to keep them 13 points clear at the top of the division, with nine League matches left for them to play in 2012.

Normanby United kept the pressure up at the top of the Under 10 North Riding third division with a 3-2 win over the visiting Great Ayton side. Both goals in this game for Great Ayton from Reece Craster with Sam Carter, Luke Green and Ellis Leka ensuring all three points went to Normanby United. A tight division this one, with the top four sides covered by only six points, so still everything to play for as the season rolls into the festive period close down.

Richmond Town maintained their unbeaten record, and their top of the table position, as they travelled up to previously unbeaten Thornaby Central in the Under 16 third division and won by three goals to one. The Thornaby Central goal from Michael Lightfoot, but the three vital points to Richmond Town with strikes by Adam Cocks, Sam Pickersgill and Adam Simpson.

In the oldest age group at Under 18 two unbeaten sides also went head to head as Thornaby on Tees hosted Stokesley FC "B" in the third division. In another close match it was Thornaby on Tees who collected all three points with a 2-1 win. The Thornaby goals from Ryan Butler and Andrew Gardner with the Stokesley FC "B" goal from Callum Reaich. These two teams are now level on points at the top of the division, with Thornaby having an all-important game in hand.

The top two sides in the Under 12 second division couldn't be separated at the final whistle as Golden Flatts of Hartlepool drew 1-1 with TIBS FC "B". This kept the undefeated record of Golden Flatts intact, with their goal coming from Bobby Carter. The TIBS goal was scored by Joe Searby, who still have a great chance of securing end of season honours in this division.

Norton & Stockton Ancients moved into second place in the Under 11 second division with a win over Leven AFC by two goals to one last Sunday. Callum Dunning scored the Leven goal, but strikes by Callum Marley and Josh Wood keep Norton & Stockton in the frame for a visit to the end of season Presentation events.

Finally from last Sunday, a tremendous victory for Whinney Banks YCC in the Under 14 first division as they visited Kader FC. In a thrilling local derby played over at Sandy Flatts in Acklam, a 3-2 win ensured Whinney Banks maintained their 100% record, and they are now a point clear at the top, with three games in hand over their nearest rivals. Robert Dixon and Sean Turner on target for Kader FC, but a couple of goals for the impressive Alex McFarlane and a third for Jack Robinson ensured that the Whinney Banks players hold the "bragging rights" this week.

We have our last fixtures of 2011 coming up this weekend with a big list of 234 League matches scheduled.

One of my top selections has to be the Under 13 fourth division match over at Wolviston Juniors when Acklam FC pay a visit. Wolviston are top and one point clear of second placed Acklam, but Acklam have a game in hand over the League leaders. These two top-scoring sides in the division, with similar defensive qualities, should make this match a "must see" for the neutral. (11:00am)

My second choice would be the match being played at Billingham Town as they host Brinkburn FC in the Under 15 second division. Brinkburn FC are having an excellent season and are 100% after their first nine matches, but Billingham Town are a very good side in their own right, having lost just one game so far, and they know a win in this match could move them to within 3 points of the leaders. Brinkburn may be slight favourites, but this should be a close match. (1:30pm)

In the Under 16 fourth division Great Ayton make the journey across to Golden Flatts in Hartlepool for a massive game. Great Ayton have a tremendous record and are 100% this season, but this could be one of their most difficult games of the season as they meet a very useful Golden Flatts outfit. Great Ayton probably the favourites, but this won't be easy for them. A good match to take in as a neutral spectator. (1:30pm)

One of the best mini-soccer matches in the Durham area could be the game in the Under 9 third division as Mount Pleasant Rangers welcome Heighington AFC across to Darlington. Heighington are top of the table and unbeaten at this stage, but Mount Pleasant are in second place with a couple of games in hand over the League leaders. Both teams are very strong defensively and this match is too close to call. A possible draw? We'll see! (12:30pm)

In the North Riding area my top mini-soccer selection would be the Under 10 first division game between Marton FC "B" and Redcar Town "A", being played over at Hall Drive in Acklam. Although Redcar Town are third they are unbeaten, but have drawn no fewer than six of their eleven matches so far. With both teams in the hunt for end of season honours and both having similar records this game could be won by the odd goal, but it may be that a seventh draw is on the cards for Redcar Town. (12:30am)

Newton Aycliffe Youth "Eagles" host the division pace-setters as Kirk Merrington make the journey down on Sunday for an Under 12 fifth division encounter. Newton Aycliffe have lost only twice but Kirk Merrington, unbeaten so far, will be favourites to take all three points on Sunday. Newton Aycliffe know that if they win this one it would throw the Championship wide open. (11:00am)

High-flying Thornaby on Tees host South Park Rangers "Blue" in the Under 13 fifth division on Sunday. This could be a goal-filled game as South Park Rangers have knocked in 48 goals in just ten matches so far, with Thornaby managing to find the back of the net 50 times in their opening ten games. Thornaby on Tees remain unbeaten but this match may be very close and anyone wanting to watch a high-scoring encounter could do much worse than pay a visit to Thornaby on Sunday afternoon. (1:30pm)

Second play third in the Under 16 third division when Seaton Carew welcome Stockton Town to their venue on Sunday. Seaton Carew have a tremendous defence but this will be put to the test at the weekend with Stockton Town boasting the best goal-scoring figures in the division. A really tight game in prospect, which may be produce a very close result at the final whistle. (1:30pm)

Finally for this Sunday, in our oldest age group at Under 18 level, third placed Mount Pleasant Rangers welcome top of the table and unbeaten Redcar Town in a great looking second division fixture. With very similar figures in terms of goals both for and against, these two sides are sure to put on a great display and it would be no surprise to see the points shared at the end of this match (1:30pm)

Other "attractive" matches would include:

U9 Durham - Div. 3 Mount Pleasant Rangers v Heighington AFC (12:30pm)
U10 Durham - Div. 1 Stockton Town "Yellow" v N&S Ancients "A" (12:30am)
U10 N/Riding - Div. 3 Kader Rangers v Normanby United (12:30pm)
U12 - Div. 2 Marske United v Golden Flatts (11:00am)
U14 - Div. 2 Spraire Lads v Redcar Athletic "A" (1:30pm)
U14 - Div. 5 Trimdon United v Cargo Fleet Juniors (1:30pm)
U16 - Div. 1 Greatham FC v Stokesley FC (1:30pm)
U16 - Div. 1 Redcar Town "A" v Marton FC (1:30pm)
U18 - Div. 1 Hartlepool FC v Spraire Lads (1:30pm)

Back