Thursday January 13th. 2011

About what we expected last Sunday with 35 Cup matches and 22 League matches played. Around of one-fifth of the games scheduled went ahead, many being postponed due to the ice and frost which seemed to come from nowhere over the Saturday night. A number of the games I highlighted didn't go ahead, but a couple which did were super games by all accounts.

Marton FC "b" played Redcar Town "a", both very good first division outfits in the Under 10 North Riding League Cup with Marton securing a place in the semi-final draw with a narrow 1-0 win. The all-important goal coming from Luke Salmon. The Marton defence is very useful though, in the League they have only conceded three times in 8 matches.

Bishop Auckland St. Mary's "b", from the second division, reversed their fixture last Sunday and travelled over to third division Acklam FC in the Under 16 League Cup third round. It has to be said that the pitch over at Acklam is in excellent condition, bearing in mind the terrible weather conditions recently experienced. Well, Josh Hoggart put St. Mary's one up, but two strikes from Josh McDermott for Acklam FC saw them win an excellent game and they now move into the quarter final stages. The Acklam FC goalkeeper on Sunday was Simon Parker who was at Darlington FC last season and left there because he wanted to play outfield. Since joining Acklam he has scored loads of goals, but he volunteered to go between the posts last Sunday as the regular 'keeper was injured. He had a tremendous game. Acklam are having a great season this time around and are currently top of the third division.

There were 23 players who scored hat-tricks or better last Sunday, but two players hit the net six times each. They were James Richards for Stockton Rangers in their Under 13 sixth division match against Dormanstown and Will Easton for Leven AFC in the Under 14 Challenge Cup first round against Darlington RA. An impressive start to the season for Marton Rangers (new into the League this year) in the Under 10 North Riding age group, and in their third division match away at Redcar Town "b" they had another excellent victory winning by 6 goals to nil. That win saw them jump to the top of that division. Five of their goals in that game came from Lewis Mullins.

An excellent win for second division Normanby United "a" in the Under 9 North Riding Challenge Cup second round as they travelled across to Redcar Town "b", the top team in their division, currently unbeaten. Normanby United "a" won by two goals to nil. Sam Carter and Ellis Leka on target for Normanby "a". Nice to report maximum marks off both teams for the referee, Robert Enderwick, in that game.

Finally, in a match that went to the dreaded penalty shoot-out Prissick Rovers "b" switched venues and travelled across to St. Francis 2000 in the Under 16 Challenge Cup first round and, after the score was tied at 3-3 after extra time, St. Francis managed to hold their nerve from the penalty spot to progress into the second round. Goals in normal time in that match from Aaron Burns, Connor Campbell and Robert Spence for St. Francis 2000 and Prissick scoring through Andy Burton, with their other two goals coming from Ben Roper.

We have almost a full TJFA league weekend coming up, with around 245 fixtures scheduled, and a few I have highlighted to watch:

Under 15 - Div. 1 - Redcar Town "a" v Stokesley FC - 1:30pm
I think the best game of the weekend will be between these two very useful teams. Redcar Town top and unbeaten so far, but in a fiercely competitive division Stokesley are only 5 points behind with two games in hand. A big game for both teams this weekend.

Under 15 - Div. 3 - Stockton Town v Cleveland Juniors - 1:30pm
Top and unbeaten Stockton Town host third placed Cleveland Juniors who have lost just one League match so far. Two very closely matched teams and this game should see quite a bit of goalmouth action, Stockton having scored 53 goals in their opening eight League matches, but Cleveland have conceded only 8 in their first six. A game which could go either way.

Under 11 - Div. 2 - Spraire Lads "a" v Redcar Athletic - 10:30am
A great game on Sunday morning over in Darlington when Redcar Athletic travel across to Spraire Lads. With very similar league records, having only lost one goal each, this is an interesting looking fixture, with Spraire Lads maybe just the slight favourites. We'll see!

Under 14 - Div. 3 - Spraire Lads v New Marske FC - 1:30pm
If anyone wants to stay across at Spraire Lads from the morning game they should be treated to another great game on the afternoon when New Marske pay them a visit. New Marske are top and scoring goals for fun with 34 so far in their first 6 matches, but Spraire will be difficult opposition, having lost just one game so far and themselves and averaging 4 goals a game.

Under 16 - Div. 4 - Thornaby on Tees v Stokesley FC - 1:30pm
Another great looking match, with 100% Thornaby entertaining 4th. placed Stokesley FC, who have lost just one match so far. Thornaby will be favourites to win this game and are probably favourites for the League title, but I think this one could be a lot closer than a few people may imagine.

Other highlighted games:

Under 11 - Div. 3 Billingham Synthonia v Richmond Town - 11:00am
Under 12 - Div. 4 Wolviston Juniors v B. Auck St. Mary's "b" - 11:00am
Under 12 - Div. 5 Kirk Merrington v N. Aycliffe Youth - 11:00am
Under 14 - Div. 4 N. Aycliffe Youth v Coulby Newham - 1:30pm
Under 15 - Div. 4 Saltburn Athletic v Thornaby Central - 1:30pm
Under 15 - Div. 4 St. Francis 2000 "a" v Stockton Rangers - 1:30pm
Under 16 - Div. 1 Greatham FC v Redcar Town "a" - 1:30pm
Under 16 - Div. 1 Kader FC v Stockton Town - 1:30pm
Under 16 - Div. 1 N&S Ancients v Marton FC - 1:30pm
Under 16 - Div. 3 Marske United v Redcar Town "b" - 1:30pm
Under 18 - Div. 2 Redcar Athletic "b" v Grangetown YCC - 1:30pm

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