Junior round-up

The College's Under-15s side have made it through the League Cup Final, beating Premiership sides in every round bar the first. On Sunday it was Jarrow Town who were sent crashing out of the Cup by an injury time winner. Jarrow must of thought they had booked their place in final taking a two-goal lead into the break. But the College team began the second half with gusto and Stuart Cambell, from Bishop, scored from a 20-yard free kick.

Bishop went on to get an important equaliser through a low cross hit with venom by William McCaine of Darlington which went in off for an own goal. Extra time was looming when an unforced error by Jarrow Town's goalkeeper saw the ball spill from his clutches and the ever present left winger Warren Robinson from Spennymoor scored a decisive winner sending Bishop Auckland College to the final.

The Final will be played at either the Stadium of Light or at the Charlie Hurly Centre - Sunderland's purpose built Football School of Excellence, towards the end of the season.

Darlington Albion

The Under-13s entertained Hungry Jacks in their first game for five weeks, but still they started lively and worked hard throughout the game. After some early pressure Kev Sung scored the first goal for the Albion, closely followed by a goal from Elvin Webley, Albion going in 2-0 up at half time. The second half saw Albion start slowly but maintained the pressure managing to score their third with another goal from Webley, they continued the half in good form, only allowing Hungry Jacks to get one back and a good run from Kev Sung allowed Elvin Webley to get his hat-trick. Final score 4-1 to the Albion. The whole team played an outstanding game with Luke Ward man of the match.

In Sunday's derby against Spraire Lads at Lingfield Point, the Under-14s played their first game for six weeks due to bad weather and the Christmas break. In a very competitive match, Albion took an early lead, through a well directed effort from Nicky Pryor, going in at half time 1-0. The second half produced some dominating play from Richard Metcalfe and Michael Martin in Albion's centre mid-field, closing and harrying Spraire's opposition, enabling Lee McKie to score a second goal, then Nicky Pryor, man of the match, a third for the Albion - Final score was Albion 3 Spraire 0.

Sunday's Under-16s game at Northallerton was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, but the previous game at Brompton before the Christmas break, was the Richmond and District League cup semi-final, producing the most improved performance yet by the Albion side. Some excellent play was created by stand-in keeper Dean Love, Gary Nicholson in defense, Paul Buckingham midfield and Chris Mwaura. Albion allowed an early goal to fall to Brompton, but regained the initiative to pressure Brompton relentlessly throughout the rest of the game, pushing men forward to try and crack the Brompton defense. This gamble proved ineffective with no goals coming, until the last five minutes of the game, when Brompton capitalised, scoring another two goals on the break. Final score was Brompton 3, Albion 0. Man of the match was Andy Dixon in a very exciting game which was not reflected in the score.

Auckland and District EBAC Youth League

Bishop Auckland won 5-1 at Spennymoor Legion on Saturday to go top of the League. Carl Everitt, Dean Maddison, John Ross, Dale Dunn and Carl McGregor scored for Bishops, Terry Garside replying.

Willington consolidated third place with a 3-2 victory away to Ferryhill. Michael Coulthard, Daniel Lee and Robert Punshon were on target for the Willington lads, while John Savage and Daniel Eles got the Ferryhill goals.

Chilton YC defeated visitors Meadowfield 3-2. Fairless, Brischuck and Carr were the home scorers, Kidd and Johnson on target for Meadowfield.

Coundon & Leeholme won through to the final of the South West Durham Presidents Cup thanks to a 4-2 semi final success at Barnard Castle. Carl Thomas and Dale Jordan gave the Coundon lads a 2-0 half time lead, Chris Spark making it 3-0 shortly after the break. Barney fought back with goals from Jamie Harwood and Andrew Smith, but Coundon made sure of victory with a fourth goal from Lee Thomas.

Midweek, Willington won 2-1 at home to Bishop Auckland in the semi final of the South West Durham Presidents Cup. After a goalless first half, John Maddison opened for Willington, Bishops equalising in the 85th minute through Stephen Renshaw.

Martin Hopps grabbed the Willington winner with just two minutes to go. Michael Coulthard was Willington man of the match, Stephen Maddison man of the match for Bishops.

Darlington Allstars

The Allstars Under-12s are through to the semi-finals of the County Cup. The Under-12s were at home to Sunderland Hambleton Plains Farm in this fourth round Cup-tie and pulled off a tremendous victory. The Allstars never gave up and continued to give 100 per cent for the whole match with some inch-perfect passing in difficult conditions and two fantastic goals giving the Under-12s a 2-0 victory. This was a well-deserved win and a big result for the Teesside League. Scorers were Callum Tarren and Ian Smurthwaite. Man of the match was Morgan Edwards.

The Under-12 Colts were at home to Greatham and after a fantastic all-round team performance, came away with the points. Although the Allstars dominated the first half and kept pressurising the Greatham defence the first half ended in a goal less draw. In the second half, the Allstars scored three fantastic goals in difficult pitch conditions and Greatham scored in their own net to make the score 4-0. Greatham came back with a late goal and the final scoreline of 4-1 was a well-deserved Allstars win. Scorers were Liam Clarke, Adam MacDonald, Thomas Haile and an own goal. Man of the match was Lewis Oliver.

The Under-11s were hosts to Cleveland Juniors. Playing after a long lay-off, the Allstars went behind to a goal by Cleveland, but the Allstars sprang into action with a well-worked goal by Lee Gibbon after a great pass by Darren Swankie which split the Cleveland defence. Cleveland went ahead again by a piece of slack defending. The Allstars equalised again before half time with a Jack Johns goal that managed to just creep across the line. The second half was a case of missed chances for the Allstars but Jack Johns scored the winner that would grace any game by turning defenders either way before coolly putting the ball into the back of the net. A well-earned 3-2 victory to the Allstars. Scorers were Lee Gibbon and Jack Johns (2). Man of the match was Josh Knox for a tremendous all-round midfield performance which dominated the game.

The Under-10 Colts were at home to Hartburn Jnrs and after some excellent passing and well-timed attacking football came away with an easy 2-0 victory. Scorers were David Murphy, Thomas Airey and man of the match went to Paul Johnson.

In the friendly, the Allstars were unlucky to lose 5-4. Scorers were Daniel Burn (2), Paul Johnson and Joe Hartley with man of the match going to David Murphy.

The Under-15 Colts were host to Hartlepool Athletic and were unlucky not to come away with the points. The game was hard fought with some excellent competitive performances and the Allstars did not let themselves down against the third in the league team. The Allstars opened the scoring with a well-worked goal by Adam Yeadon who went around four defenders before hitting the back of the net. The Allstars never gave up and were very unlucky not to come away with a draw. The scorer was Adam Yeadon and man of the match was Mark Smurthwaite.

The Under-16s were at home to Teesside Athletic and both sides had chances to break the deadlock in a goal less first half. Teesside scored twice just after the break and the Allstars did well to keep their discipline against this physical Teesside Athletic team. The final score was a 2-0 defeat. Special thanks go to Jon Pearson who stood in as emergency keeper and deservedly picked up the man of the match award after pulling off some spectacular saves.

Pearson was also man of the match.

The Under-13 Colts were hosts to Hartlepool Crest and were drawing 3-3 in very difficult, sticky conditions. The game was evenly contended until the last 10 minutes when Hartlepool scored three goals making the final score a 6-3 defeat. Scorers were Jack Ridley, Tom Watson and Andy Grey with Kev Ditchburn awarded man of the match.

Darlington Mount Pleasant Rangers

Nearly all of Rangers teams were back in action this weekend. The Under-12s, sponsored by Weathertight Windows A team were at home in the League to Norton & Stockton. They were strong from the whistle and through some good passing football won a convincing 8-1. Rangers scorers were Mikey Smith (3), Gary Martin (3), Kev Coglan and Luke Smalley. Rangers man of the match was Sean Lowe.

The B team also played at home against Bedale. The lads worked hard with some good movement but failed to break Bedale down, score ended 3-1 to the away side. Rangers scorer was Kyle Henderson and man of the match was Michael Able.

The Under-11s, sponsored by MKM (Darlington) A team played away in the League at Coulby Newham. They dominated play from start to finish on a pitch that was barely playable. Their outstanding performance gave them all 3 points which maintains their top of the League position. The final score ended 5-0 to Rangers. Rangers scorers were Nathan Wilson (2), Ben Turnbull (2) and Joe Clare. The man of the match award was given to the whole team who all played outstanding & excellent football.

The B team also played away, to Catterick AWS who wanted a win at home. Rangers came out fighting with some superb football. The game was end to end with either team looking like securing the three points. The score ended 2-1 to Catterick. Rangers goal came from a brilliantly placed free kick from Adam Swan. Rangers man of the match was Liam 'Scholsey' Serginson.

The Under-9s, sponsored by SG Petch played at home to Leven FC who took the three points with a 2-0 win over Rangers.

The Under-8s, played at home in the League to South Park Rangers who came looking for a victory. The home side played tremendous football in very heavy conditions underfoot. They battled very hard and came away with a point. Final score ended 0-0. Rangers man of the match was Cory Aldus. A friendly that followed saw the home side with the same determination as the previous game. The score ended 0-0, again. Rangers man of the match was Daniel Turnbull.

Darlington Grammar School Young Boys

After a five-week winter break Young Boys returned to action in a top of the table clash against Berwick Hills. It was the home team who took the lead against the run of play, when a long ball down the middle caught Grammar's defence flat footed.

Darlington soon equalised after a fine passing move down the left, resulted in Mark Cubitt slotting home John McKie's cross. Grammar continued to dominate and Andrew Caldwell hit two goals in five minutes to put the visitors well in control.

Just before half-time John McKie scored a great individual goal to send Darlington to the break 4-1 up.

Berwick refused to lie down and the start of the second half saw them reduce the deficit, after some confusion in the Darlington defence. However Young Boys rode the storm to come out 4-2 winners and go top of the table for the first time this season. Man of the match was Paul Alexander