Thursday 9th. February 2012

With the weather playing havoc with the fixtures scheduled for last weekend, we can only hope that the icy conditions relent in sufficient time for the forthcoming weekend. We didn't have a single match played from the 244 scheduled and it looks like a busy period for the Divisional Co-ordinators in each age group as they attempt to reschedule all of the postponed matches.

This weekend we have 221 fixtures coming up in the League, with two TJFA Cup matches scheduled. My choices this week would be as follows:

Top of the table Cargo Fleet Juniors host third placed Stokesley FC in the Under 9 North Riding second division. Stokesley are just three points behind Cargo Fleet and have a game in hand, so the points in this one mean a bit more than many other League matches scheduled. Cargo Fleet boast a very good attack and will be the favourites in this game, but Stokesley are having a great season themselves and, in a very tight division, this game may be decided by just a single goal either way. (12:30pm)

The Under 10 North Riding top flight also throws up a great-looking fixture as Marton FC "B" play hosts to Nunthorpe Athletic. With only a couple of points separating these two teams, and both having very similar records, this is another match which could eventually determine where the silverware will end up at the end of the season. Too close to call and a draw may be the favoured outcome. (12:30pm)

Top of the table Thirsk Falcons make the journey up to Teesside to play Grangetown YCC in the Under 11 fourth division. Both teams have lost just twice so far this season and Thirsk have a brilliant goals for tally, and won the reverse fixture by 5 goals to 2 earlier in the season, but Grangetown have a number of games in hand over teams around them and this could be a very close match. Thirsk Falcons the favourites on paper, but a really entertaining game in prospect. (11:00am)

Unbeaten Golden Flatts host a useful TIBS FC "A" team in the Under 12 second division on Sunday. This match, over in Hartlepool, may be key to deciding who pays a visit to The Tall Trees at the Awards ceremony in early June. The defensive prowess of Golden Flatts has held them in very good stead this season and they have conceded only 4 goals in 10 matches so far. TIBS are a very strong all-round team though and they are sure to make the League leaders work very hard this weekend. A good match for the neutral supporter. (11:00am)

The Under 12 age group also throws up an attractive fixture where, in the fourth division, Leven AFC make the short journey over to Primrose Hill in Stockton. Both teams have lost just the one League match each so far this season, although the goal-scoring record of Primrose Hill is one of the best in the League at any age group. They have managed to score 91 goals in their first eleven matches and that kind of fire-power is sure to be a major factor on Sunday. Leven are extremely competent in their own right though and, whilst Primrose Hill may look favourites, this game could go either way. (11:00am)

Again in the Under 12 age group, in a match mutually agreed to be played on Saturday, Normanby United entertain Acklam FC in the sixth division. Only three points separate Acklam who are top and Normanby in third position, but Normanby have a game in hand over the League leaders. With both teams showing excellent goal-scoring ability, it may be the Acklam defence, who have been strong all season, which decide where the points end up. Too close to call and a draw may be the safest bet. We'll see! (11:00am)
TIBS FC "A" travel across to East Cleveland to play Redcar Athletic in the Under 13 second division on Sunday, with both teams desperate for the points to keep their title hopes and their possible promotion seasons on track. With Redcar Athletic currently sitting in third place, eight points behind the joint League leaders, they have three matches in hand and they will want to close that gap on Sunday. TIBS FC's defence, who have been outstanding all season, will have to be at their very best to keep out this free-scoring Redcar outfit. Another great game for the neutral supporter and a speculative end result which may see both teams having to settle for a point apiece. (11:00am)

In the Under 13 third division table-topping Skelton United travel over to second placed Middleton Rangers with both teams desperate for the points in a very tight division. Any of the teams in the top six positions still have a chance of winning this division and these two teams both know that three points on Sunday are essential to stay on track for honours. Teams who have very similar attacking and defensive qualities and this could be a very close game on Sunday. (11:00am)

The Sunday afternoon matches also throw up a couple of good-looking fixtures and the meeting between Brinkburn FC and Billingham Town in the Under 15 second division would certainly be one of those. Brinkburn are currently 100% and are enjoying a fabulous season, but Billingham Town have lost just the once and are currently in second place. One of those games that could go either way depending on which team finds their true form on the day and another great match for the neutral supporter.(1:30pm)

Finally, in our oldest age group third placed Spraire Lads from Darlington pay a visit to Hartlepool to play second placed Greatham FC in the Under 18 first division. Two very evenly matched teams who are both looking for honours this season and this may be another very close game where the points may possibly be shared. (1:30pm)

Some other fixtures worthy of highlighting would include :

Under 9 Durham - Div. 3 Middleton Rangers v Mount Pleasant Rangers (12:30pm)
Under 9 North Riding - Div. 3 Cleveland Juniors v Fishburn Park (12:30pm)
Under 10 Durham - Div. 3 Mount Pleasant Rangers v Fishburn Boys (12:30pm)
Under 11 - Div. 2 Northallerton Juniors v TIBS FC "B" (11:00am)
Under 11 - Div. 2 Norton & Stockton Ancients v Spraire lads (11:00am)
Under 11 - Div. 3 Stokesley FC v Middleton Knights (11:00am)
Under 12 - Div. 5 Billingham Town v Wolsingham AFC (11:00am)
Under 13 - Div. 3 TIBS FC "B" v Stockton Town (11:00am)
Under 15 - Div. 4 Coulby Newham v North Ormesby "B" (1:30pm)
Under 15 - Div. 4 Middleton Rangers v Prissick Rovers (1:30pm)
Under 16 - Div. 4 Greatham FC v Spraire Lads (1:30pm)

Back