Thursday 2nd. February 2012

Over a very frosty weekend which claimed a number of fixtures, we managed to complete 93 of the 228 scheduled matches, with a total of 470 goals being scored. There were 27 players who managed to score hat-tricks or better, but a special mention for a couple of players, who certainly had no problems in overcoming the tricky conditions, as Allan Bird knocked in six goals for Norton and Stockton Ancients at Under 14 level and Kellas McConachie notched himself 9 goals for Marton FC "A" at Under 12.

Spraire Lads of Darlington kept themselves right in the hunt for silverware in the Under 9 Durham top flight as they travelled across to Hartlepool and came away with all three points in a 2-0 win. The goals in that game from Ellis Creighton and Brandon Mallaburn in a win which keeps Spraire Lads just two points off the top, but they still have two games in hand over the leaders.

In the top match at Under 9 in the North Riding second division Cargo Fleet gained all three points with a narrow 1-0 win over Championship rivals Guisborough Town. The all-important goal came from Dean Jennison and the win not only moved Cargo Fleet to the top of the table but also keeps this division wide open in terms of end of season honours.

It was impossible to separate two of the stronger teams in the Under 10 North Riding first division as Boro' Rangers held top of the table TIBS FC "A" in a goalless draw. With Nunthorpe Athletic gaining a close 2-1 across at Kader FC, they now move into second place but this division is still wide open with the top six teams all in with a chance of silverware towards the end of April. Both Nunthorpe goals from Jay Stephens with the Kader goal coming courtesy of Sam Brittain.

Tollesby Athletic stretched their lead at the top of the Under 10 North Riding third division with a narrow 1-0 victory away at Normanby United. The single goal, from Bradley Bage, enough to keep Tollesby as favourites for the Championship but there is still some way to go and three other sides are snapping at their heels.

A similar 1-0 win for Hardwick Youth across at Redcar Town "B" in the Under 11 sixth division also puts them in the driving seat for honours as the three points moved them onto level points with the divisions leaders, but Hardwick still have a game in hand. Conceding only 5 goals in 10 games has been a major factor for Hardwick Youth so far this season and the important winning goal last weekend was scored by Jamie Lake-Varley.

Boro' Rangers extended their lead at the top of the Under 12 first division with a fine 3-1 home win against Nunthorpe Athletic "A". The Nunthorpe goal from Ollie Hunter but Jack Maloney, Lee Riley and Isaac Walker were all on target for Boro' Rangers who now go 13 points clear and look almost certainties for another visit to The Tall Trees at the end of the season.

North Ormesby, from the Under 14 first division, kept their hopes of a visit to The Tall Trees open as they won a thrilling game at home to Barnard Castle by three goals to two a win which moves them into third place. Goals for Barnard Castle from Billy Cassidy and Adam Lee-Shield, but two goals from Abdul Wahab and a further strike from Liam Fawcett enough to seal a great victory for North Ormesby.

The attacking prowess of Primrose Hill proved a bit too much for Kader Juniors in the Under 14 third division as they ran out winners by four goals to one. With their closest rivals not in action at the weekend Primrose Hill are now seven points ahead of the second placed team and are looking good bets for promotion at this stage. The Kader Juniors goal from Harry Wilson, but the prolific David Powell scored three times for the visitors with Corbyne Rudd adding their fourth.

Thornaby Central were yet another team to secure victory with the only goal of the game, this scored by Michael Lightfoot, as they played hosts to close rivals New Marske FC in the Under 16 third division. The vital three points keeps them hot on the heels of the leaders and just gives them a bit of breathing space from the teams in behind, but they will have to keep picking up points in a very tight and hard-fought division.

Finally from last weekend a tremendous result for League leaders Marton FC "A" as they travelled across to Stokesley to play their Under 18 first division match against the Stokesley "A" team. Marton came away with all three points following a 3-1 win. Lewis Ramage was on target for Stokesley FC but Joe Currie, Laurence Hutchinson and Jordan Paul made certain that Marton's unbeaten League record stays intact for another week and they look strong favourites to lift the Championship trophy later this year.

We have 244 fixtures coming up in the League at the weekend, with one TJFA Cup match scheduled. My choices this weekend would be as follows:

The top two sides meet in the Under 10 North Riding second division when South Park Rangers "Red" play hosts to the current League leaders New Marske FC "A". With home advantage giving slight assistance South Park Rangers will be a tough nut to crack, but New Marske are going really well this season and will want to take at least a point from this game. New Marske may be slight favourites in this one. (12:30pm)

The same age group, but this time in the third division, the top two teams also go head to head as Great Ayton travel down to Tollesby Athletic. These two teams have very similar records and this may be a very close match with both teams perhaps having to settle for a point apiece. We'll see! (12:30pm)

A cracking match in prospect in the Under 11 fourth division as Thirsk Falcons make the journey up to Acklam to play Whinney Banks. Thirsk are currently top of the division but have played more games than any of their closest rivals and Whinney Banks are in third place, nine points behind but with three games in hand. A mouth-watering fixture which could be one of the games of the day and one for any neutral supporter to watch out for. (11:00am)

In the fourth division at Under 12, and a game postponed from last weekend, there is a great match in prospect over in East Cleveland as second placed Skelton United welcome third placed Tollesby Athletic to their venue. Skelton have already scored 78 goals in their 11 matches, but Tollesby have conceded only 7 goals in eight matches and this could be another great match at this level. Yet another game where both teams will want to gain at least a point and we could see a share of the points. Too close to call! (11:00am)

The top match in the Under 13 first division sees Kader FC make the short trip across to Nunthorpe Athletic. Kader are currently unbeaten and will want to extend that record, but Nunthorpe are a good all-round side who won't make this easy. Kader may be the slight favourites in a good-looking fixture. (11:00am)

In the second division at Under 13, Redcar Athletic travel across to Hartlepool to play top of the table and 100% Greatham FC. Redcar Athletic are currently in third place but they have games in hand over the two teams above them and they are going really well this season. Most people would favour Greatham to gain the three points, but I think this match could be a lot closer and would suggest that both teams may have to settle for a point each. (11:00am)

The second division at Under 14 pitches second against third as Redcar Athletic "A" travel across to Richmond Town. Both teams will want the three points to keep them in with a chance of catching Brinkburn FC who are top and have won every League match so far this season. Perhaps Redcar Athletic are slight favourites, but with home advantage I think Richmond Town may give a very good account of themselves. An excellent game for the neutral supporter to watch. (1:30pm)

The Under 15 top flight also gives us a stand-out fixture as Marton FC, in second place, play hosts to the League leaders Stockton Town over at Hall Drive. With only a point separating the two teams this should be a cracking game where both teams will be equally desperate for the vital three points, this in a division in which only eight points covers the top eight teams. The capable defence of Marton may hold the key to the outcome, but I would suggest that both teams may have to settle for a point in what should be a very good game. (1:30pm)

Finally for Sunday, top of the Under 16 fourth division Barnard Castle make the trip across to Whitby where Fishburn Park are the hosts. This could be a high-scoring affair with both teams boasting excellent strike rates. Barnard Castle have scored 74 goals in 15 matches and Fishburn have managed 42 goals in their 9 games so far. A really top fixture which should be very competitive. (1:30pm)

Some other "good looking" fixtures would include:

Under 9 N/Riding - Div. 3 Great Ayton v Cleveland Juniors (12:30pm)
Under 11 - Div. 6 Redcar Town "B" v 21st. Allstars (11:00am)
Under 12 - Div. 2 Thirsk Falcons v TIBS FC "B" (11:00am)
Under 13 - Div. 2 TIBS FC "A" v Billingham Rangers (11:00am)
Under 13 - Div. 5 Northallerton Juniors v South Park Rangers "Blue" (1:30pm)
Under 15 - Div. 3 Newton Aycliffe Youth v Nunthorpe Athletic (1:30pm)
Under 15 - Div. 4 North Ormesby "B" v Prissick Rovers (1:30pm)
Under 18 - Div. 1 Hartlepool FC v Stokesley FC "A" (1:30pm)

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