Thursday 18th. November 2010

Even allowing for a hectic week of County Cup fixtures we still played 206 League games with 1,039 goals being scored. There were 69 hat-tricks or better, and from them, our usual special mentions:

I've got to start by congratulating Saltburn Athletic Under 10 who play in the North Riding third division. The only team yet to score up to last Sunday, they managed to score their first two League goals of the season, although they still lost 5-2 to South Park Rangers "b". There should have been a big cheer when Tommy Stiff hit the net and this was followed by another by Jordan Evans. Well done to them and more "power to their elbows". They just need to gain their first point now!

Four players scored 5 goals, and they were Wil Kenworthy (Marton Hall Drive Under 9's - Div. 1), Carl Stout (Bishop Auckland St. Mary's "a" U10's - Div. 1), Aaron Leonardi (Stockton Rangers U15 - Div. 4) and Liam Wood (N. Aycliffe Juniors - also Under 15 - Div. 5), but this was bettered by both Joseph Vickers who knocked in 6 of Northallerton Juniors 9 goals in the Under 10 N/R second division and Jack Mitchell who also scored 6 of his team's 9 goals for Newton Aycliffe Youth in the Under 13 fourth division.

Although we didn't have many postponements last week it was typical that one or two would come from games I highlighted last Thursday, but there's still lots to mention from some of the other games:

Billingham Rangers recorded their fifth draw from their opening 9 games, but they still remain unbeaten as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Darlington TSC in the Under 11 third division. Goals for Billingham from Thomas Bell and Harry Everson, with the useful Darlington TSC gaining a point with both strikes coming from Oliver Theakston.

In the top match in the Under 13 second division, League leaders Wolviston were held by unbeaten Barnard Castle, currently in second place as they played out a goalless draw. Not many of those in this League, but there were goals galore in the top game in the third division at Under 13, as Newton Aycliffe Juniors hosted Mount Pleasant Rangers "a". A hat-trick by Daniel Pigg for Mount Pleasant wasn't enough, as two goals by Ryan Peart and strikes by Jack Oliver and Lachlan Scott gave the home side a narrow 4-3 win which keeps them at the top of the division.

At Under 14 in the top flight, Stockton Town proved a bit too strong on the day for Bishop Auckland St. Mary's "a" team and ran out comfortable 8-3 winners. A hat-trick in that match for Jamie West. That's the first defeat for Bishop Auckland in a really tight first division. In the second division's top game Great Ayton continued in their rich vein of form with a 2-0 win over close rivals Leven AFC. Goals by James McCullagh and Jake Segrave saw them keep their 100% record intact and they are still to concede a goal after 6 League matches.

At Under 15 St. Francis 2000 "b" also kept their 100% record intact winning away at Billingham Town in the second division by 3 goals to 2. Goals by Josh Chambers and Jordan Laverick for Billingham Town, but another 2 goals for the prolific Clint Dodd and one for Harrison Smith enough to gain the three points for the Hartlepool outfit.

Previously 100% Mount Pleasant Rangers entertained unbeaten Nunthorpe Athletic in the Under 16 second division and both sides remain unbeaten as they played out a 3-3 draw. Mount Pleasant goals coming from Euan Legg, Lee Swainston and Jim Wilson. George Parkinson got two for Nunthorpe with their third coming from Stephen Huckle.

Finally, from the matches I had listed last Thursday, at Under 18 in the second division Grangetown YCC gained an excellent win over Stockton West End by 4 goals to 1. A hat-trick for Chris Latus and a strike from Michael Pickles was enough to maintain their top of the table position. The Stockton West End goal came from James Shearer.

We are back with a "League weekend" this coming Sunday, and a total of 252 fixtures:

Under 11 - Div. 1 - Boro' Rangers v Wynyard Village "a" - 11:00am
Boro' Rangers sitting top and 100%, with a great seven straight wins from seven starts, host Wynyard Village "a", a very good team in their own right, and going well in the top flight this season. They have only suffered one defeat from their opening six matches in the League. A belting fixture!

Under 13 - Div. 1 - Marton FC v Whinney Banks YCC - 11:00am
In a really tight looking division, a great local derby looks in prospect as Whinney Banks YCC make the very short journey over to Marton. Only three points covers the top six teams in this division and title hopes are sometimes hinged on matches like this one.

Under 14 - Div. 2 - Great Ayton v Ferryhill Town - 1:30pm
Two sides who concede hardly any goals, but score them for fun, meet up at Great Ayton when the home side who are top, host Ferryhill Town in second place. Great Ayton boast a brilliant defence and have yet to concede a goal in winning all 6 of their opening games to nil, but this will be a good test as a very useful Ferryhill Town make the journey across. Ferryhill also have a very capable defence. A really close match on paper.

Under 10 Durham - Div. 3 - Fishburn Boys v Stockton Rangers - 12:30pm
Second entertain top as these two mini-soccer teams battle it out. Stockton Rangers 100% and top of the pile have conceded only 4 goals in their opening 8 games, but Fishburn are also adept at keeping clean sheets and have conceded only 3 goals in their opening 7 games. A great looking fixture.

Under 18 - Div. 2 - Stokesley FC "b" v Saxon Juniors - 1:30pm
In our oldest age group we have another 100% team who are going really well this season, in Stokesley FC "b". They are hosting one of their main rivals in the race for the Championship in Saxon JFC This Saxon team are no easy ride, having lost just one of their 4 opening matches this season and they will take all the beating on Sunday. A really tight looking fixture where it is unlikely any quarter will be asked or given.

Other highlighted weekend matches:

U9 Durham - Div. 2 - Leven AFC v 21st. Allstars "b" - 12:30pm
U10 North Riding - Div. 1 - Marton FC "a" v Marton Hall Drive - 12:30pm
U11 - Div. 2 - Golden Flatts v Newton Aycliffe Juniors - 11:00am
U11 - Div. 4 - Leven AFC v Coulby Newham - 11:00am
U11 - Div. 5 - Skelton United v South Park Rangers "b" - 11:00am
U14 - Div. 4 - Newton Aycliffe Youth v Eaglescliffe Elementis - 1:30pm
U16 - Div. 1 - Stockton Town v Marton FC - 1:30pm
U18 -Div. 1 - Redcar Athletic "a" v Stokesley FC "a" - 1:30pm

Chris Ord,
League Secretary,
TJFA

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