Thursday 24th. February 2011

Over 200 (206) games played last weekend, with 1,083 goals being scored and 67 hat tricks or better for the TJFA players. Lots of players scored 5 goals, so a few too many to mention on this week's show.

I went across to the Acorn Centre in Acklam on Sunday afternoon to watch a match between Acklam FC and Fishburn Park from Whitby, billed as one of the best in the Under 16 third division. I've got to say it didn't disappoint as Fishburn who went into the match with a 100% win record took a 1-0 lead in the first three minutes with a "Rooney-esque" overhead strike from the very impressive Andrew Menzies. Before Acklam could get into their stride this was quickly followed by a second from Luke Storr. The game was very evenly matched after that and, although there were no more goals in the game, it was a brilliant match to watch as both sides gave their all and chances were created at both ends. Well done to both sets of players who were competitive, but very sportsmanlike through this high profile encounter. I've got to say that the pitch was in immaculate condition, even allowing for the winter we've had. Fishburn Park look nailed on for the title now, but these two teams have to meet again and, with Bedale slipping a bit at the weekend with a 1-1 draw at home against Marske United, Redcar Town "b" have now emerged as the dark horses. They had an emphatic 6-2 win over New Marske FC. Ryan Jennings hit a hat-trick in that one for Redcar Town with two from Jack Edmunds and the sixth from Harry Shaw as they moved menacingly into second place. The goalscorers for New Marske were Daniel Duffield and Carl Gray.

An astonishing result for Middleton Rangers Under 12 who play in the fourth division. They went over to Stokesley and playing with only 9 players went two goals down. At that stage they must have feared the worst, but in an amazing display they fought back to win the match by 6 goals to 3. Middleton sit top of that division and obviously have players who won't give up the cause, no matter what difficulties befall them. Goals for Stokesley "b" from Daniel Atkinson, Dion Dougan and Joseph Fenny with Middleton's Jack Cooper getting a hat-trick, two for Jake Charlton and the other from Rhys King. Amazing stuff!

I mentioned the Spraire Lads versus 100% Stokesley "b" Under 18 division 3 match last week and this was yet another game that didn't disappoint. Spraire Lads won a thriller by 4 goals to 3 to dent the impressive 100% unbeaten record of Stokesley, and they move to the top of the division by a point. Stokesley have a couple of games in hand though, but it does open the division up a bit, and it proves that any slip-ups now could cost a team a Championship or runners-up spot at the end of the season. Two goals each in that game from James Bennett and Zac Tervit for Spraire Lads, with Stokesley's Robbie Seaton claiming two goals, their third coming from Fionn Crawley.

In the second division game between Newton Aycliffe Juniors and Nunthorpe Athletic at Under 16 the points were shared in a 2-2 draw. Goals in that one were scored by Tom Pilkington and Lewis Wing for Newton Aycliffe, with James Coupland getting both of the Nunthorpe Athletic goals. Newton Aycliffe are still unbeaten in the League this season and with the reverse fixture still to come on the first of May, this is another really tight division in terms of who will gain end of season honours.

A cracking mini-soccer game in the Under 9 North Riding second division over at Thirsk, who just lost out by the odd goal in three against a very useful North Ormesby team. A goal by Samuel Howes for Thirsk, but strikes by Lloyd Griffiths and Jake Thompson for North Ormesby enough to seal the win. Thirsk remain top by three points, but North Ormesby have two games in hand and this division is sure to go right to the wire in terms of winners and runners-up.

The Under 11 third division match between TIBS FC "b" and Billingham Rangers also served up a treat for spectators, with TIBS eventually gaining the upper hand and winning by 5 goals to 3. Two goals for David Elwell, with strikes from Alex Hunter, Jack Lambert and Joseph Searby for TIBS, the Billingham Rangers goals coming from Joe Clark, Sam Harrison and George Henry. TIBS "b" are sitting top of the division, but they have played a lot more games than many of their rivals and this is a division which is a long way from being decided.

What looked a really close match on paper before the weekend turned out to be anything but, as prolific goalscorers New Marske "a" beat their closest rivals Redcar Town "a", in a local derby in the Under 12 second division, by 7 goals to nil. The goals in that one from Morgan Corner and Curtis Wood who both netted twice, with further efforts from Callum Blair, Ebrima Camara and James Warwick. New Marske remain top of the pile in that division.

Also at Under 12 and this time in the fifth division, Cumby Rovers proved a bit too strong for Thornaby on Tees and came out winners by 8 goals to 3. A hat-trick for Lennon Campbell, with two from Noah Robinson and the other three from Oliver Breden, James Morley and Max Spittlehouse. Thornaby replied through Connor Blackburn, Joshua Poulton and Lewis Strange. Another division which, at this stage of the season, is still open enough for at least four teams to claim League honours in May.

Finally from last weekend and a game which found a winner by the odd goal scored in thirteen, as Cargo Fleet Juniors hosted Middleton Rangers in the Under 11 sixth division with Middleton coming out 7-6 winners. Goals for Cargo Fleet from Cory Cuthbert who grabbed himself a hat-trick, two for Deven Sargent, with their sixth from Liam Poole. The Middleton goals from Robert Bell, who also hit a hat-trick in this match, with two from Leo King, and the other strikes from Lucas Waller and James Wallis. One of those matches from a neutral point of view that was almost certain to be a crowd-pleaser.

Well, a total of 230 League fixtures scheduled, plus a further 27 TJFA Cup matches being played this weekend, it's a big weekend for many Championship contenders and Cup hopefuls and, as always, it was difficult with so many quality games to pick a top handful, but here goes:

Under 12 - L/C R4 - TIBS FC "a" v Billingham Town - 10:30am
A cracking fourth round League Cup tie in prospect as TIBS "a", sitting top of the third division with a very impressive 100% League record, host top flight Billingham Town who are going well this season. This is a tricky looking match to find out who will play Marton FC in the quarter final stage. TIBS have scored 45 goals against just 7 in their eleven League games so far and Billingham will have to be at their best to get through in this one.

Under 9 Durham - Div. 2 - 21st. Allstars "b" v Leven AFC - 12:30pm
A really great looking mini-soccer game over in Darlington, as top of the table Leven AFC travel across to meet 21st. Allstars "b" who are currently in second spot. At this stage these teams have lost just the one match each and both have very good defences, Leven conceding only 6 in their 11 matches so far and Allstars with only 9 goals conceded in their 12 games.

Under 9 N/Riding - Div. 1 - Boro' Rangers v Redcar Town "a" - 12:30pm
A match of similar nature to the Durham mini-soccer game above. Boro' Rangers, currently top of the first division, after losing just one game out of 12, play hosts to a very useful Redcar Town team, who have also lost just one game out of their first nine. Again two very capable teams with excellent defensive records, but both very useful in attack as well. This could be a belter of a game and will undoubtedly have a major bearing on end of season honours.

Under 11 - Div. 1 - Wynyard Village "a" v Boro' Rangers - 11:00am
Top of the table Boro' Rangers make the trip across to fourth placed Wynyard Village knowing that a Wynyard victory would make them the Championship favourites. An excellent looking match between two quality sides in a division where any of the top five teams can still gain end of season divisional honours. A brilliant game for the neutral supporter, but probably nerves of steel required for the supporters of either team.

Under 14 - Div. 5 - Eaglescliffe Elementis v Newton Aycliffe Youth - 1:30pm
One of two matches in this division which pitch the top four teams against each other this weekend. Top of the table Eaglescliffe host second placed Newton Aycliffe Youth, with only three points separating the teams. Both sides have very similar records both in terms of scoring and conceding goals and this is another match which should be a very close call, with perhaps a draw being the favoured outcome.

A host of other excellent games this weekend including:

Under 9 N/R - Div. 3 Redcar Town "b" v FC Kader "b" - 12:30pm
Under 10 N/R - Div. 3 Tollesby Athletic v Redcar Athletic "a" - 12:30pm
Under 11 - Div. 3 Billingham Rangers v Richmond Town - 11:00am
Under 11 - Div. 4 Coulby Newham v Leven AFC - 11:00am
Under 11 - Div. 6 Acklam FC v Prissick Rovers - 11:00am
Under 13 - Div. 1 Whinney Banks YCC v Redcar Town "a" - 11:00pm
Under 14 - Div. 4 North Ormesby "b" v Coulby Newham - 1:30pm
Under 14 - L/C R3 Greatham FC "a" v Stockton Town - 1:30pm
Under 15 - Div. 4 Thornaby Central v Stockton Rangers - 1:30pm
Under 15 - L/C R3 21st. Allstars "a" v St. Francis 2000 "b" - 1:30pm
Under 16 - Div. 3 Fishburn Park v Bedale JFC - 1:30pm
Under 18 - Div. 1 Stokesley FC "a" v Marton FC - 1:30pm
Under 18 - Div. 2 Grangetown YCC v Hartlepool FC - 1:30pm

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