Thursday 21st. October 2011

Last weekend we played 250 League games with the goal tally reaching 1,316 and we saw 71 junior players scoring hat-tricks or better.

As usual there were some great individual scoring performances, with four players scoring "double hat-tricks". They were Ben Edwards for Richmond Town in the Under 13 second division, James Wood for Darlington TSC in the Under 13 third division, David Powell who plays for Primrose Hill in the Under 14 third division and Dylon Marshall who scored all six of Thornaby on Tees goals as they won a great game by 6 goals to 4 against Ferryhill Town in the Under 13 fifth division.

Highlights from last week have to include a really close fought encounter in the Under 10 Durham second division over at Stockton Town where Middleton Rangers were the visitors. The Stockton Town Blue team losing by the only goal of the game scored by Middleton's Toby Richardson. Middleton Rangers maintain their 100% winning record and move to the top of that division.

In the top Under 11 League match the Marton FC "b" team proved a bit too strong for Boro' Rangers in the first division and won by 4 goals to 2. Goals for Boro' Rangers came from Harry Noble and Josh Walshaw, but Marton FC "b" go five points clear at the top and maintain their 100% start with goals from Bailey Harland, Ethan Irwin, Jake Lance and Luke Salmon.

In a close game over in Darlington, Spraire Lads gained a narrow 3-2 win over the visiting Wolviston Juniors team in the Under 12 top flight. Spraire Lads are another team who are currently 100%, having won all three of their opening League matches. Goals in this one from Callum Coleman, Jamie O'Brien and Ollie Theakston for Spraire Lads, with the Wolviston strikes from Connor Gant and Chris Gregory.

Also over in Darlington the League points were shared in a thrilling 3-3 draw in the Under 15 fifth division, as Darlington TSC entertained a good Richmond Town team. Both teams remain unbeaten and are enjoying very good seasons so far. Goals in that game from Ross Carpenter, Sam Henderson and Alasdair Malcolm for TSC with Joe Arundell, Shane Paterson and Niall Spink responding for Richmond.

A remarkable 5-0 win for Great Ayton when they travelled across to Barnard Castle in the Under 16 fourth division last Sunday. This was the first taste of defeat for Barnard Castle who remain top, but have played more games than the 100% Great Ayton team. Goals for Great Ayton in this one from Michael Aspinall, Lewis Laine and Austin Welsh with Joel Wilson scoring twice.

Marton FC Under 16 retained their 100% record at the expense of their old rivals Norton & Stockton Ancients over at Station Road in Norton. This first division match was decided by the only goal of the game which came from Marton's Daniel Ball. Marton FC have yet to concede a single League goal after 4 games.

In the Under 9 North Riding second division Stokesley FC lost their first League game of the season at their Broughton Road ground, as a strong Guisborough Town "a" team won 3-1. Guisborough stay top with this win, thanks to strikes from Zak Buck, Kai Guthrie and Harry Jackson, with the Stokesley goal coming from Charlie Watts. There are a number of good, strong teams in this division and this could be one of those to keep an eye over the course of the season as teams battle for promotion to the top flight.

A very good win for Mount Pleasant Rangers over at Billingham Synthonia in the Under 10 Durham third division. Mount Pleasant yet to concede a League goal after 4 games, during which they have scored 14 times. They won this encounter 4-0 with their goals coming from Lewis Galloway who netted twice, Kyle Nimmo and Mitchell Wilson. Now four points clear at the top they have made a tremendous start to their campaign and are the ones the others will need to beat if they want to keep the title race alive, even at this early stage of the season.

Marton FC inflicted the first defeat of the season on Bishop Auckland St. Mary's Aces in the Under 15 first division. Marton maintained their 100% start to the season with a hard-fought 2-1 win. The goals in that game from Nathan Wall for Bishop Auckland, with the impressive Jake Segrave notching both of the Marton goals.

Finally from last weekend, a narrow 2-1 away win for Leven AFC at Billingham Town in the Under 9 Durham second division maintained their 100% start. They are now three points clear of the second placed team at this early stage of the season. Goals in that game from Alex Snaith for Billingham Town with Luke Scott and Joshua Topham securing the three vital points for Leven.

Well, another big weekend of League fixtures with no fewer than 252 games scheduled. Some matches to look forward to are as follows:

My top pick at mini-soccer would be the Under 9 North Riding third division game down in Whitby between Fishburn Park and Cleveland Juniors. Fishburn are top and boast a 100% record, indeed they haven't conceded a goal as yet, but they host second placed Cleveland Juniors who have also made a bright start to the season. A cracking looking mini-soccer game which could go either way. (12:30pm)

A super looking game at Under 11 when TIBS "b" host Northallerton Juniors in the second division. Again, these are two teams who have made exceptional starts to their season. Northallerton are top with a 100% record and TIBS are unbeaten, currently lying in second place. If it's goals you are searching for this coming weekend this could be the place to be. Northallerton have scored 23 goals in their opening 4 games, whilst TIBS have scored 26 in their opening four. A quality looking match on paper. (11:00am)

The Under 12 first division also throws up a top-notch game as Spraire Lads "a" make the journey across from Darlington to meet Stockton Town. Both 100% teams will be hoping to continue their great opening form of the season and this may be a game where the excellent defence of Stockton Town could be key in thwarting a very useful Spraire Lads attack. A difficult game to call. (11:00am)

My Under 13 choice would be the game in the third division between Skelton United who are hosting TIBS FC "b". Again, we have two teams with 100% records and neither will give up that record without a fight. TIBS have an excellent defence which has conceded just one League goal so far, but both teams are lethal in front of goal and between them have scored 35 goals so far. Another difficult game to assess the outcome of and a tentative draw selection would be my guess. (11:00am)

The afternoon games also have a great look about them and the Under 15 division 4 match between Middleton Rangers and Coulby Newham looks one of the picks of the day. These top two sides are both 100% after three games each and, while Coulby have only conceded a single goal so far, Middleton score goals for fun and have found the back of the net no fewer than 23 times already this season. A really tight game, with perhaps the home advantage giving a slight edge to the free scoring Middleton Rangers outfit. (1:30pm)

In the Under 18 second division we have the top four teams all playing each other. Cleveland Juniors in second place host Mount Pleasant Rangers who are top and a team who are going really well at the moment. This is likely to be a great game and a match which I find difficult in separating the two teams. A possible draw. (1:30pm)

The other Under 18 second division match sees Redcar Town, currently in third place travel up to fourth placed Bishop Auckland. With very similar League records so far, this is another match which is really difficult to assess. Redcar Town may be the slight favourites in a game which should see no quarter asked or given. (1:30pm)

Finally, a really attractive looking fixture in the Under 14 fourth division as Thornaby on Tees host Lingdale Athletic. Lingdale are unbeaten after three games, but Thornaby are 100% and are playing really well this season. A good match for the neutral supporter of grass roots football this coming Sunday afternoon. (1:30pm)

Other "interesting" league fixtures this weekend would include:

Under 9 Durham - Div. 1 Spraire Lads v 21st. Allstars "a" (12:30pm)
Under 10 Durham - Div. 1 Norton & Stockton Ancients "a" v 21st. Allstars "a" (12:30pm)
Under 10 Durham - Div. 3 Hartlepool Pools Youth v Wolsingham AFC (12:30pm)
Under 10 North Riding - Div. 1 Marton FC "a" v Boro' Rangers (12:30am)
Under 10 North Riding - Div. 1 Nunthorpe Athletic v Marton FC "b" (12:30pm)
Under 11 - Div. 3 Middleton Knights v Stokesley FC (11:00am)
Under 12 - Div. 2 TIBS FC "a" v Golden Flatts (11:00am)
Under 12 - Div. 3 North Ormesby v South Park Rangers Blue (11:00am)
Under 12 - Div. 4 Leven AFC v Primrose Hill (11:00am)
Under 14 - Div. 2 Richmond Town v Mount Pleasant Rangers "a" (1:30pm)
Under 14 - Div. 3 Darlington TSC v Middleton Rangers (1:30pm)

Back