Thursday 5th. January 2012

Happy New Year to all!

We kick-start 2012 with a mixture of League and TJFA Cup matches and, as usual, there are some great looking fixtures to get us under way.

We'll start in the League Cup with a mouth-watering clash between Boro' Rangers and Wolviston Juniors in the quarter final at Under 12. Boro' Rangers are top of the first division and unbeaten so far this season in all Competitions, but Wolviston are in second place in the top flight and will be looking to get into the hat for the semi-final draws. A good-looking fixture with Boro' Rangers perhaps the slight favourites. (10:30am)

A tough match looks in prospect across at Hall Drive in Acklam, as Marton FC "A" take on their "B" Team in the Under 18 League Cup quarter final. Marton "A" are top and unbeaten in the first division while their "B" team rivals are in second place in the second division, but they are also unbeaten this season. A cracking looking Cup tie at our oldest age group. (1:30pm)

The top two teams in the second division at Under 14 level also go head to head in the League Cup quarter final as Brinkburn FC make the journey across to Spraire Lads in Darlington. Brinkburn are 100% at the moment but this could be one of their hardest games so far. Brinkburn are probably the favourites but with Spraire Lads having the home advantage this match may be decided by just the odd goal. (1:30pm)

In the TJFA Challenge Cup at Under 18 level there could be a difficult match in prospect for Yarm Town Juniors from the first division as they take on second division Ferryhill Town. After a bit of a poor start to the season Ferryhill went on a very good run towards the end of 2011 and are sure to make Yarm fight all the way as both Teams try and make it into the hat for the semi-final draw. (1:30pm)

In the League the best looking mini-soccer match in the North Riding area looks to be over at Whinney Banks when their fourth placed YCC Team entertain Cargo Fleet Juniors currently sitting in third place in the Under 9 second division. With very similar form figures these two teams are both looking for end of season honours and this match could be decided by just an odd goal. A game which both teams need to win to keep the pressure on the two teams above them and this is a must see game for the neutral. (12:30pm)

In the Durham area the top match may be the one taking place over in Darlington as Mount Pleasant Rangers host Wolsingham AFC in the Under 10 third division. Level on points at the top Wolsingham have a better goal difference but unbeaten Mount Pleasant Rangers have a vital game in hand. Again two teams with very similar goals for and against records and this match may just see the points being shared. (12:30pm)

Acklam FC have a couple of their teams going really well this season and their Under 12 and Under 13 sides both have attractive fixtures this coming weekend. The Under 12 team have lost just once this season and are hosting top of the table Middleton Rangers who are top. This could be a game which is decided by the free-scoring Middleton attack, the best in the division so far against a very resolute Acklam defence which has conceded only seven goals in the same number of games. (11:00am)
Also, the Acklam Under 13 team, currently in second place, journey across to third placed Bishop Auckland St. Mary's in the fourth division. Two free-scoring teams and I wouldn't like to call the outcome of this particular match. A chance for both teams to keep the pressure on Wolviston Juniors who are top of the League and in pole position at the moment. (11:00am)

The second division at Under 16 level also pits two very good sides against each other as Stockton Town play hosts to Redcar Town "B". Stockton have lost just the one game this season and have home advantage against top of the table and unbeaten Redcar Town "B". A match which neither team will want to lose and this could be yet another game for any neutral spectator to take in this weekend. (1:30pm)

In the third division at Under 16, two sides who have lost just once each face each other as New Marske welcome Stockton Rangers across to East Cleveland. Two teams who have lost just a single game each, and who are both well in the hunt for end of season honours, should see a no quarter asked or given encounter. A really difficult game to predict the outcome of. (1:30pm)

Finally this weekend the top flight at Under 18, our oldest age group, sees a cracking fixture between Spraire Lads, currently in third place having lost just one game so far, entertain Stokesley FC "A", who have also lost just the one League match at this stage, meet up over in Darlington. Spraire Lads know where the back of the net is, but they will be up against a very good defence as Stokesley have conceded only 7 goals in five matches in the League this season. That is a very good record at this level. A tight game, with possibly a draw being the likely outcome? We'll see! (1:30pm)

A few other attractive fixtures would include:

Under 10 N/R - Div. 1 Redcar Town "A" v Boro' Rangers (12:30pm)
Under 10 N/R - Div. 2 South Park Rangers "Red" v TIBS FC "B" (12:30pm)
Under 10 N/R - Div. 3 Tollesby Athletic v Normanby Juniors (12:30pm)

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