Bishop Auckland St. Mary's

THE Under-14s played their last game at home to Kader and started off very well after winning and drawing the last two games.

Kader were expecting an easy game but were soon up against it after Dean Thexton put St. Mary's into the lead with a superb lob over the advancing keeper.

Kader came back in to the game and equalised shortly afterwards with a well-taken strike. Dean Thexton then went through against the keeper who managed to palm into the path of Liam Penburthy who was very unlucky not to score from a tight angle. Kader then pressed and took the lead to go in 2-1 up at half-time.

The second half was very even and St. Mary's pressed forward for the equaliser but couldn't manage to find the net but the game was a credit to all the squad who played and it was good to see St. Mary's finishing the season off strongly against a well-organised side as Kader held out to win 2-1.

The Under-18s B side had an excellent win against Newcastle East End in the semi-final of the league cup with goals from Gareth Saunders, Ben Ord and man of the match Jason Brazauskas.

The Under-10s A finished their league programme on Sunday with an outstanding 4-1 win away to Norton and Stockton. Right from the first whistle the Bishops pushed Norton back playing some excellent football and their opening goal came from a Jesse Wright corner which Anthony Stout headed past the static keeper.

St. Mary's kept up the pressure, even when Norton did manage to get out of their own half quality defending from Harry `H` Bulmer and Ryan Matthews protected the Blues keeper Jonathan Kinson. Goal number two inevitably arrived when a tremendous run and shot from Connor Smith was palmed away and Anthony Stout got his brace with a deft volley into the back of the net.

The two blues started the second half in the same manner and an excellent driving shot from Wright hit the post and the advancing Josh Clark stabbed the rebound home. A terrific solo run from Smith gave him the opportunity to smash a ferocious effort past the bewildered keeper and into the top corner of the net for number four. Norton did manage a deserved late consolation goal for all their hard work and effort.

In the second game St. Mary's ran out 3-1 winners. Again they played some tremendous football, creating chance after chance. Their goals were scored by Lewis Scarr and Jesse Wright (2).

* St. Mary's Under-10s A are holding trials for all positions for next season in which they will be playing 11-a-side. Contact Mark Waters on 07748012567 or Steve Matthews 01388 450847 for more details.

After their success at Blackpool, St. Mary's Under-9s went to the York tournament at the weekend aiming to win another trophy. They eased through Group A thanks to three wins, three draws and one defeat, with goals coming from Sherwen (2), Suddick (2) Collins (2), Foster and Brownless. The quarter-final was a close game against Group B winners Thirsk. Collins got the only goal game of the game to send St. Mary's through to the semi-final.

The semi-final ended 0-0 and once again the boys faced a penalty shoot out. Suddick, Brownless, Pugh, Dixon and Collins all converted their spot kicks, only for Spraire Lads to do the same. Sudden death meant the same five had to step up again. All of them held their nerve and after Spraire missed the 19th penalty Collins converted his to send St. Mary's to their second final in two weeks.

They faced the 21st Allstars in the final and despite having shots from Foster and Collins well saved and a Dixon shot that hit both posts and came out, St Marys were unable to break through. Five minutes from time a rare break from Allstars resulted in the only goal of the game and St. Mary's had to settle for the runners up trophy.

Bishop Auckland St. Mary's B Under-18s were victorious with a 3-0 win on Saturday in the Hargreaves League Cup semi-final. The final will take place this evening at the Riverside, Chester-le-Street (centre pitch, 6.30pm).

Then St. Mary's A got through to the Durham Lomax Subsiduary Cup final after being victorious over Willington on Saturday with a 3-1 win to meet Newcastle East End on Bank Holiday Monday in the Semi-Final.

A tired Bishop Auckland took an early lead, the goal coming from Adam Bennett in the 10th minute. Newcastle East End then equalised in the 26th minute.

Newcastle then took the lead in the 62nd minute, but Bishops started to come alive in the last quarter of an hour and eventually equalised in the 84th minute with a goal from John Hardy.

Extra-time was a close fought battle and the score line remained at 2-2. Newcastle took the first penalty scoring and Craig Robson equalised. Newcastle then converted their next penalty but Daniel Mitton's went just wide of the post.

Kris Carr then saved Newcastle's next shot and the goalkeeper saved Bishop's next attempt from Michael Gibson. Kris Carr pulled off another save and John Barker converted his attempt to bring Bishop back level.

Kris Carr again saved Newcastle's attempt. John Hardy stepped up to the spot and took Bishop through to the final. Bishop Auckland St Mary's A will play at Eppleton CW in the final today (1.30pm).