Title-winning Marton go one better

Leven started the game with purpose and after applying early pressure took the lead. Hannah found time and space to pick his spot from the edge of the area.

Marton responded and started to create chances of their own, Rowney, Johnston, Spence and Carroll could have brought the game level but for stout defending and good goalkeeping. The equaliser came not long after when Carroll kept his cool to slot past the advancing keeper.

After the break the game opened up with both teams looking to add to their score, Parker in the home goal had to be on his toes to keep out two goal bound efforts and also the Leven keeper reacted well to deny Henderson and Johnston. As the half progressed both teams tired in the heat and the game looked destined to end all square until Tymon got possession went past two defenders and drilled the ball with his left foot into the bottom corner. Leven to their credit didn't give up and came storming back, Marton's back four of Worton, Colligan, Hill and Corkain held firm to hang on to a deserved but hard earned 2-1 victory.

Norton and Stockton Ancients

Norton Under-12s had injury problems before the game even started with three regular players ruled out. Norton started the game very nervously, with miss-timed tackles and passing going astray. This got worse when goal keeper Robbie Stockburn had to come off with a foot injury, though this allowed our other keeper Ryan Johnson to step in. Against the run of play, St Francis scored the first goal from a rare mistake from the back. Norton then kicked back with an equaliser from Warren Pearson soon after. From then on, Norton took control of the game with Luke Johnson and Jake Laverick working very hard up front and helping out wherever necessary. Luke Johnson then secured our place in the final with what turned out to be the match winner, a place that Norton deserve to be. Special praise must go to the players who stepped in. They did not let anyone down and did everyone proud.

Norton Under-15 A enjoyed a 4-1 home win against Marton Hall Drive with great goals from Dale Plimmer scoring two Danny O'Brien and David Burns. Man of the match was Stephen Parker.

Norton Under-13 B ended their home campaign with a 3-0 win over Cleveland Juniors. McAvoy got the first with a touch onto a good ball into the box, with Cook adding two more before half time, the best of them following a great challenge by Gell. Norton took their foot off the gas in the second half and it was played out quietly and with little incident. Cleveland were given a chance to score at the end, when Norton uncharacteristically got caught out pushing up onto the halfway line, and keeper Edon was called on in a rare one-on-one and did well. A good home record, losing only once this year - well done.

The Under-13 B's ground out a 4-3 win over Lingdale in a close and very good game. Cooky opened the scoring early for Norton after good work from McAvoy, who himself added the second placing the ball under keeper Dart. Between Lingdale had equalised, however Cooky notched Ancients' third to send them in at half time 3-1 up. Lingdale pressed forward and within seven minutes of the restart the score was 3-3 with the away side looking favourites. Norton played with space between midfield and defence and needed to up their workrate centrally, however they managed to play their way back into the game with Cronesberry working particularly hard up and down the pitch. Keeper Edon made several good saves and Lingdale survived three one-on-one situations as Dart pulled off some tremendous stops at the other end. The introduction of Michael Bell, who turned in a 20 minute man of the match performance, lifted Norton, and with 10 seconds on the clock their pressure paid off as Gell slid in to score the winner and end Lingdale's spirited resistance. A good game played in great spirit with much appreciation from either touchline - three points each seems a fair outcome from the two games.

Brompton

A good game and 3-3 was probably a fair result after a match that swung from one team to the other throughout. Spartans won the toss and elected to play with the slight wind advantage in the first half. They were behind after five minutes though when Dawson was fouled and James Rose planted a perfect cross over for Darville to push home.

Duncan Robinson then made the first of many fine saves when palming a Spartans free kick on to the bar. He could do nothing after 16 minutes though when another Spartans free kick landed at the feet of their forward who lashed the ball into the net.

Back came Brompton and a great move started from Brockhurst at the back who fed Rose on to Darville and then Dawson whose effort was saved. Brockhurst and Rose combined again minutes later but a decent cross-eluded everyone to sail out of play for a goal kick.

Spartans took the lead from another free kick when Chapman calmly and decisively won a header in his own six yard area but for some unknown reason planted a perfectly placed effort into his own goal.

With the score 2-1 to Spartans at the break, Brompton lost inspirational captain Brockhurst at half time through injury although this did allow Stephen Adamson to revert to his more customary centre half position and Andrew Porritt in the centre of midfield. Paul Eddleston came on at left back and Brompton started the half well. Darville won a ball in the centre of the field and played a great ball in to the path of Marley who is claiming the goal although so is Dawson who nudged it on, or about, over the line.

James Johnson came on for the hard working Waldron and shortly after Marley then put over a good ball from a free kick that Darville headed just wide. The two combined once more and this time Marley's effort was saved and went out for a corner.

After 15 minutes of the second half Brompton regained the lead when Rose was felled in the box and Darville planted the spot kick into the back of the net. James Rose then had an effort of his own palmed out for a corner and Brompton looked the likely winners at this stage. Unfortunately they could not make their dominance count and with ten minutes to go Spartans got an equaliser and suddenly took over control of the game.

Duncan Robinson in goal pulled off three marvellous saves for the visitors in the last ten minutes and on top of this Adamson and Henderson both made goal saving tackles.

As said, 3-3 was probably a fair result with Duncan Robinson getting man of the match for his late efforts while Adamson was runner up for a solid display throughout.

Ian Dawson, Under-16s manager, said: "This was a good game to finish the season off with and I have thoroughly enjoyed it. Thanks lads."

Team: D Robinson, J Waldron, S Adamson, S Brockhurst, G Henderson, S Chapman, A Porritt, J Marley, J Dawson, B Darville, J Rose. Subs: P Eddleston, J Johnson.

Coxhoe Boys

COXHOE Boys brought the curtain down on their Russell Foster Youth League campaign by doing the only thing they know - winning.

Bobby Orton's side, who clinched the league title a few weeks ago, overcame Hylton Castle 2-0 last weekend to prove that it is not only Arsenal who can go a full season without losing.

From 20 games played, Coxhoe won 20 of them and drew just one - scoring 100 goals in the process and conceding just ten.

Against Hylton Nathan Ward and Stuart Doughty were the goalscorers but there were a number of heroes. Defenders Ben Raine and Shane Gavin stood firm throughout, while both Kieron Thompson and Liam Short were outstanding.

Goalkeeper Tom Orton also had to make three quick-fire stops to deny Castle and ensure Coxhoe kept a clean sheet.

Manager Bobby said: "It was a well disciplined performance and some of the football played was fantastic."

Coxhoe play Spennymoor Juniors at Brewery Field tonight (kick-off 7.30pm) for the right to hold the Invitation Cup.

Richmond Town

THE Under-11s played Bedale in the final of the Peter Cole cup at Northallerton and started off strongly.

Within ten minutes William Gardner squared the ball for Luke McComb to open the scoring before Bedale equalised with a good shot from the edge of the box, half time 1-1.

The second half started much the same as the first with some good end to end football but Richmond were strong in midfield and a ball from Chris Garside enabled William Gardner to edge the ball past the keeper to restore Richmond's lead. After more good work from Richmond a chance fell to David Young to score with a powerful half volley.

Bedale reduced the deficit only for Chris Garside to again play William Gardner through to score. In a tense last five minutes Richmond again scored through William Gardner to complete his hat-trick.

Final score was Richmond Town 5, Bedale 2.

An excellent team performance by Richmond Town and overall a very good entertaining final played by both teams.

Thirsk Falcons

Overy wet Tuesday Thirsk Falcons Under-12s travelled to Darlington to play TSC. Thirsk kicked off and within seconds were awarded a free kick which TSC's keeper saved then they went on the attack and Thirsks defender Steven Burrell cleared the ball off the line after Thrisks keeper parried the shot.

Thirsk then attacked with Liam Cook but his shot was high, but they kept up the pressure and Joe Barwick fired home Thirsk's opener.

TSC replied and Thirsk's keeper made a fine save but it wasn't long before they equalised. Thirsk kept going and David Mosley fired a shot at TSC's keeper who could only parry it across the line, 2-1 to Thirsk.

TSC then applied more pressure but some great saves and some brilliant defending kept Thirsk in the lead. Thirsk then broke and a great cross from Luke Williams put Joe Barwick through and his shot across the goal passed TSC's keeper into the bottom corner to make it 3-1 to Thirsk. TSC replied but hit the post and then another fine save from Thirsk's keeper denied them. Thirsk broke again and Joe Barwick grabbed his hat-trick, TSC then pulled a goal back but in the last few minutes of the half David Mosley lobbed the keeper for his second of the match and took Thirsk's tally to five. Thirsk led 5-1 at half time.

The second half saw Thirsk with their backs against the wall and they had tired legs due to the very heavy wet pitch. After five minutes TSC scored two goals in quick succession to take the score to 5-4. Thirsk kept going and fired another shot at TSC's keeper but he made a fine save. TSC scored again, still Thirsk attacked and after a goalmouth scramble, which saw four of Thirsk's players taking shots at TSC's goal, they managed to clear the ball.

The final score in this action packed game was 5-5. Once again a good team performance by Thirsk especially Luke Williams Joe Barwick David Mosley and man of the match Liam Cook.

Ferryhill Town Youth

Ferryhill Under-11s, sponsored by Peter Clark Estates, were at home to Cargo Fleet at the weekend. Ten-man Ferryhill played some great football going 2-0 up in the first half, with goals from Shaun Todd and Ben Hunter. However, the heat took its toll and with a man down Ferryhill were unlucky in the second half with Cargo Fleet ending up winners 3-2. Player of the match went to Lisa Devine.

Ferryhill Under-13s, sponsored by Spennymoor Sports, were at home to Guisborough at the weekend. In a very close match both teams played some good football with the half time score being 2-1 to Ferryhill. Guisborough just had the edge in the second half and took their opportunities to score with the final score being 4-2 to the visitors. Ferryhill's goals came from Chris O'Hara and Josh Gibson with man of the match going to Dan Moorhouse.