Thursday 8th. December 2011

We start with a couple of great results for lower division sides in the TJFA Challenge Cup both of which went to the dreaded penalty shoot-out. A fantastic game at Under 13 level over at Thornaby on Tees who are going well in the League this season, sitting top of the fifth division and boasting an unbeaten record, when they hosted third division Stockton Town in the quarter final of the Challenge Cup. With the scores tied at 1-1 after extra time the game went into penalties and Thornaby eventually secured their place with an amazing 13-12 win. Goals in normal time for Thornaby on Tees from Anthony Cox and the Stockton Town goal coming from Will Mackie.

An equally impressive performance by Spraire Lads in the same Competition as they hosted an all-Darlington quarter final at Under 13 level against 21st. Allstars "A". After the score was locked at 2-2 this match also went into the dreaded penalty shoot-out with third division Spraire Lads beating their second division rivals 3-1 in that shoot-out. The goals in normal time for Allstars by Joel Hutchinson and Danny Raw with the triumphant Spraire Lads goals coming courtesy of Dawson Clark and Jakub Pulawski. Both Thornaby on Tees and Spraire Lads are now in the hat for the semi-final draw which will take place in 2012.

The weather wasn't too brilliant last weekend but we still managed to play 168 League and Cup games with the junior players scoring 845 goals. There were 50 players who scored hat-tricks or better and no fewer than five players managed to hit the target 5 times.

There was a real treat for neutral supporters in the Under 15 TJFA League Cup quarter final as Marton FC welcomed Stockton Town for a massive Cup tie. Both teams put on a great display with Stockton Town reaching the semi-final stage with a 4-3 win. A great hat-trick for Daniel Maguire of Marton FC, but two goals each for Sonni Coleman and Ben Priestley enough to edge Stockton Town into the semi-final stage.

After drawing 1-1 over at Whinney Banks YCC in the League the weekend prior Marton FC were the hosts on Sunday as these two Teams met for the second successive week, this time in the Under 16 TJFA League Cup quarter final. A goal from Anthony Stephens for Marton FC but Whinney Banks YCC made it through to the semi-final with a first class hat-trick from the prolific Sam Calvert.

In our oldest age group Grangetown YCC "B" played hosts to Redcar Town in the Under 18 League Cup quarter final and eased into the semi-final of the Competition with a 3-0 win. Two goals for the impressive Max Craggs with their third from Nathan Watson sees this very capable third division Grangetown side go into the hat for the semi-final draw. Grangetown are also 100% in the League this season and will fear no-one in the semi-final stage when the draw is made.

Some really close fought League matches last Sunday and we start in the Under 10 North Riding second division with the match across at Stokesley FC, when the South Park Rangers "Red" team were the visitors. The match ended all square at 1-1 as South Park Rangers scored from an unfortunate own goal by a Stokesley player. This was cancelled out by a strike from Thomas Swales of Stokesley. These two sides stay in first and second positions in this division with just one point separating them, but TIBS FC "B" are now right behind them following a 1-0 win across at Guisborough Town. The all-important TIBS goal from Joseph Naylor. Don't discount New Marske "A" either in this division, who currently sit in fourth place. They had a free weekend, but are just two points off the League leaders with two games in hand on all of the three sides above them. A cracking division.

Great Ayton maintained their advantage at the top of the Under 10 North Riding third division as they inflicted the first defeat of the season over Normanby United. Great Ayton won by two goals to nil to maintain their position at the top of the table. Their goals in this game from Oliver Bielby and Samuel Graham.

The points were shared over at Billingham Town as the unbeaten South Park Rangers "Red" team paid a visit in the Under 12 fifth division. Two goals from Ethan Gamesby for South Park Rangers cancelled out by strikes from Ricardo Hogg-Sousa and James McCue. The point maintains South Park Rangers push for end of season honours.

A tremendous 2-1 win for Barnard Castle as they travelled over to Hartlepool last Sunday to face a very useful Greatham FC outfit in the Under 14 first division. Barnard Castle increased their advantage to four points over third placed Greatham, with their goals coming from Alistair Haston and the impressive Adam Lee-Shield. The Greatham goal was scored by Adam Thompson.

Three hat-tricks for Trimdon United players as they continue to look favourites for the Championship in the Under 14 fifth division. In a match I thought may be a lot closer, as they hosted second placed Dormanstown JFC, but Trimdon were lethal in front of goal and won 9-1. The Dormanstown goal from Alex Boutell, but the three Trimdon United hat-tricks from Luke Chapman, Josh McKeown and Kieron Naylor. Trimdon have now scored 68 goals in their 10 League games so far.

Honours were also shared as two of the Championship hopefuls, Thornaby Central and Stockton Rangers met in the Under 16 third division. The match ended 1-1 with goals from Matthew Appleby for Thornaby and Shaun Hughes for Stockton Rangers. Richmond Town took full advantage of both those teams dropping points, as they travelled across to a useful Nunthorpe Athletic "B" team and came away with all three points, to put them top of the pile, following a 2-1 win. The Nunthorpe Athletic goal from Jonathan McNulty, but the all-important three points to Richmond Town with goals from Josh Heslehurst and Adam Simpson.

Finally from last Sunday, a tremendous win for Great Ayton as they hosted Golden Flatts from Hartlepool in the Under 16 fourth division. Great Ayton maintained their 100% record in this division with a 6-3 win. The Golden Flatts goals from Glenn Mason, with Mark Belsham scoring twice, but the three points to Great Ayton as both Lewis Laine and Samuel Pears scored twice with their other goals from Aaron Lunn and Liam Wilson.

We have another big League weekend upcoming with 224 fixtures scheduled.

One of my top choices has to be the game over at Middleton Rangers who host Billingham Town in the Under 10 Durham area second division. The only two unbeaten teams remaining in this division, sitting in first and second places, should give spectators a real treat. Billingham Town have the best attack in the division but they are up against a Middleton Rangers team who have conceded only two goals in their first nine matches. Both teams may keep their unbeaten records intact as I see a very close game resulting in a probable draw. (12:30pm)

Also at Under 10 but this time in the North Riding side of the League a keenly contested match looks likely as Boro' Rangers play hosts to their near rivals Marton FC "B" in the top flight. Both teams have lost just the one League fixture this season and have almost identical records. A quality looking match which again looks as though it will be a very close run affair. Another draw perhaps? We'll see! (12:30pm)

There are a couple of games in the Under 11 age group which are worth looking out for. In the fourth division the League leaders Ferryhill Town make the journey down to second placed Thirsk Falcons. Ferryhill are unbeaten so far, but this Thirsk side are very useful and they are sure to make the League leaders work hard for the points in this one. Ferryhill are probably slight favourites based on their goal-scoring prowess and may just extend their lead at the top of the table. (11:00am)

The second Under 11 game which looks good on paper is in the sixth division where Redcar Town "B" make the journey across to 21st. Allstars in Darlington. The excellent attack of Allstars may be thwarted by the very capable and tight Redcar Town "B" defence. Redcar have lost just the one game in the League so far and this is another match which may be decided by just a single goal. (11:00am)

The Under 12 second division sees the unbeaten, and top of the table, Golden Flatts welcome their closest rivals TIBS FC "B" over to Hartlepool at the weekend. The Golden Flatts defence has been in miserly mood this season and has conceded just 2 goals in 7 games, but TIBS are more than capable in attack and this might yet be another of those games which is decided by a one goal margin. (11:00am)

The TIBS FC next age group up travel across to Darlington TSC in the Under 13 third division on Sunday where they will be attempting to keep their 100% record intact. This won't be easy as Darlington TSC have won six of their opening eight games so far and scored 40 goals in the process. This might be a high-scoring affair and may be a match for any neutral supporter to enjoy. (11:00am)

A mouth-watering game which should be full of goals may take place over at Middleton Rangers who entertain high-flying Primrose Hill in the Under 14 third division. Middleton Rangers have lost just once and are very capable in their own right, but they will be tested to the limit on Sunday as the prolific "goal machine" comes visiting. Primrose Hill have scored no fewer than 79 goals in their first nine matches and will be firm favourites to pull further clear at the top of the division this weekend. They are unlikely to have it all their own way though and a good game is in prospect. (1:30pm)

The fifth division at Under 14 also throws up a tasty looking fixture as Brompton Juniors make the trip across to the East coast to play Dormanstown JFC in the fifth division. Both sides have very similar records and both will want to keep their chances of securing end of season awards alive. A close match in prospect. (1:30pm)

A fierce competition is developing between the top sides in the Under 15 fourth division and two Championship contenders meet up as North Ormesby "B" pay a visit to Middleton Rangers on Sunday. Again we see two teams with almost identical records going head to head and a draw may be the most favoured outcome. A good match for the neutral supporter to take in. (1:30pm)

In the Under 16 age group, one of the top games comes from the third division when Thornaby Central play hosts to Richmond Town. Thornaby Central remain unbeaten and were also highlighted last week, but they now play hosts to the only other unbeaten side in this division as a quality-looking Richmond team make the journey across. Yet another game which looks to be very close and a draw may be what both sides have to settle for at the final whistle. (1:30pm)

Finally for this Sunday, in our oldest age group at Under 18 level, the top two teams meet in the third division as Thornaby on Tees play hosts to Stokesley FC "B". Both unbeaten, neither will want to slip up this Sunday and the defences of both sides might just come out on top in a really interesting fixture. (1:30pm)

Other top matches would include:

U9 Durham - Div. 2 N. Aycliffe Youth Eagles v N. Aycliffe Juniors Panthers (12:30pm)
U9 Durham - Div. 3 Golden Flatts v Mount Pleasant Rangers (12:30pm)
U9 N/Riding - Div. 3 Tollesby Athletic v Fishburn Park (12:30pm)
U10 Durham - Div. 3 Wolsingham AFC v Fishburn Boys (12:30am)
U10 N/Riding - Div. 3 Normanby United v Great Ayton (12:30pm)
U11 - Div. 2 Norton & Stockton Ancients v Leven AFC (11:00am)
U12 - Div. 1 Wolviston Juniors v Stockton Town (11:00am)
U13 - Div. 2 Greatham FC v Richmond Town (11:00am)
U13 - Div. 4 Acklam FC v Newton Aycliffe Youth (11:00am)
U14 - Div. 1 Kader FC v Whinney Banks YCC (1:30pm)

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