Norton and Stockton Ancients

St Mary's started the game with lots of pace and passing and threw everything at the Norton defence. Norton had to play some of their best defensive football to protect their record for not conceding any goals in their last four games. Once again the Norton defence of Ritchie Peacock, Joel Brennan, Callum Sweeney and Dale Mulligan were solid in keeping Bishop Auckland out. The Norton keeper Chris Edmonds played his best game so far this season. Towards half time Norton started to get into the match with some good work from their midfield, half time 0-0. Norton started the second half brightly passing the ball with more confidence which lead to the first goal an excellent cross by Graham Wilson found Norton captain Dale mulligan who headed home from 5 yards, Bishop Auckland contested the goal but referee Bradwell was well placed to give the goal to Norton. This goal rattled Bishop Auckland who went on to question every decision for the rest of the match. Norton grew in confidence and at long last started to play some lovely passing football. Norton's second goal came from a nice strong run from Michael Degnan who shot past the stranded keeper. Norton then put on 3 substitutes pushing Alex Nicholson up front from midfield which was to lead to the third goal of the game by way of a brave header from Alex squeezing the ball past the keeper. Well done to referee M Bradwell who controlled what could have turned out to be a tense match very well indeed.

Norton Under-10s drew 2-2 with Leven Athleti and it was a score which reflected the game. Leven dominated the early exchanges putting Daniel Chesser and David Roth under lots of pressure in midfield. Jack Griffiths twice made point blank saves and Tom Blakemore made good clearances. Leven took the lead late in the first half with an excellent chipped finish. In the second half, Norton took the game to Leven with Lewis Wing and Liam Woodhouse causing lots of problems with their free kicks and corners. Wing levelled with an excellent over-head kick but Leaven regained the lead with a good solo goal. Norton pushed forward for an equaliser with Josh Peaden, Michael Bond and Aidan Cattermole making Leven's keeper pull off good saves. In the last minute, Wing converted direct from a corner to level the game for a desered share of the points.

Norton Under-12s beat St Francis 2000 with the first goal coming from a free kick from Lee Chapman from which Luke Johnson scored. Norton were unlucky, hitting the post a further three times before half-time. In the second half, a great run from Jake Laverick made Norton 2-0 up. Great passing from Lee Chapman was followed up by two great goals from Jake Laverick to give him a hat-trick. Luke Johnson then scored two goals to seal a 6-0 win for Norton.

The Under-13 B team had a tough draw against Sunderland Hendon Vics Under-14s in the second round of the Durham Cup. Having already beaten two older sides to get this far, they went into the game knowing they needed to produce a good performance to progress. Two superb early saves from 'keeper Josh Edon kept Ancients level, and when Danny McAvoy tore apart Vics defence on the right his low cross was met by Cooky to give Norton the lead. Norton were under a lot of early pressure, Steve Atkinson and captain Azza Stott combining several times to break up Vics' right sided attacks. Josh Simpson then put in the tackle of the game on the six yard line to deny a certain goal, however Vics did equalise from a free kick just before the break, and they took the lead soon after with a close range strike. Norton kept their heads up though and raised their game again, Jamma showed he can sprint with the best of them, racing away from Vics tall defenders to tuck the ball into the bottom corner. Jon Stephenson was, again, brilliant in central midfield, combining skill, aggression and pace to give Ancients the edge they needed. Jamma and Cooky combined well to create several good chances, and it looked like it might not be Norton's day when the ball just would not go in. Liam Hardman and Michael Bell produced the strong defensive midfield performances Norton needed, looking dangerous every time they went forward, whilst centre back Ivo played a massive game particularly in the second half when he used all his strength and skill to run at Vics midfield to good effect. With extra time looming Jamma produced another cracker to give Ancients the lead, and he bagged his hat-trick minutes later with a superb individual twisting run and cool finish. Ancients young side progress to the last 16 from 110 teams - well done lads. Final score was Norton 4, Sunderland Hendon Vics 2.

Norton Under-16s had the better of the first half against Teesside Athletic and deservedly took the lead through Shaun Taylor. Teesside got more into the game second half bringing out a couple of fine saves from an impressive Jamie Todd, but Norton were continuing to make chances despite not dominating possession quite as they had in the first half and sealed the game with a fine strike from Shaun Simpson into the roof of the net from the edge of the box to make the final score Norton 2, Teesside 0.

In a fantastic game of football, Norton Under-8s came out on top against Cleveland Juniors with a 1-0 win. Every player gave 100 per cent from the kick-off with the standard of football being played extremely high. Tom Hill scored the decisive goal with only five minutes of the match remaining.