Richmond Town

THE Under-11s played away to Thirsk Falcons and lost 1-0, writes Ben Posser.

Despite having the majority of the play in the first half Richmond were unable to turn possession into goals. G Hill had a couple of chances that he put wide and D Jeff played one of his best games. In the second half little changed with Thirsk coming more into the match. Halfway through the half Thirsk scored

with a shot from the edge of the area that went just inside the post but out of reach of Luke Newton. Richmond pushed players forward for the equaliser and were rewarded with a free kick just out side the box. G.Hill shot for goal and the shot narrowly went over the bar.S.Dennis had a solid game in midfield and earned the Man of Match award.

Richmond Town Under-12s also won a rearranged game 4-0. Sorry but there is no report on this match except that this keeps them unbeaten in the Richmond and District League.

Richmond Town Under-14s went through to the quarter finals of the North Riding County Cup by winning their match against Acklan Steel Works Boys 3-1. It was a great victory for Richmond because their opponents were from a higher league. ASW took the lead in the first half but then Nathan Fisher equalised from a Sean Mander cross, In the second half it took along time for Richmond to break down their opponents but then from another great delivery from S.Mander, Kieran Watts scored his first goal for Richmond to take the lead.Richmond then got a penalty for a handball and K Holbrook scored again from the penalty spot to secure a good win.

All other junior matches were cancelled due to the recent weather conditions.

Thirsk Falcons

Last weekend saw a feast of football for the Falcons Under-10s. First stop on Saturday was a short trip down the A1 to face Boroughbridge. The Falcons started the stronger and went into an early lead through talisman Ryan McKendry after fine work down the right flank by Matty Boyne. Boroughbridge came back strongly and scored a goal shortly after the restart. Late on in the second half the home team exposed the Falcons defence with a well worked counter attack to seal the win against the run of play. Falcons B team suffered a similar fate in their match with debut boy George McGuiness scoring a late consolation strike.

On Sunday Falcons Under-10s returned to their immaculate home playing surface to face Northallerton Town. Falcons A took on Town B in a one sided affair. The final score was 12-0 in Falcons favour. All the Falcons players got on the scoresheet. When both A teams met the Falcons came out victors by two goals to one. Town scored first but Nick Newcombe got one back from the spot and a late effort by Ryan McKendry maintained Falcons 100 per cent home record. Falcons B team played out a scoreless draw against Town A. When both B teams met Falcons rattled another five past a totally demoralised Town outfit. Ben Elders got a couple, Liam Evan scored one and two own goals decided the match.

Falcons are at home to Brompton on Sunday.

New County North Durham Youth League

All games in the Under-16 and Under-17 divisions were postponed, but two matches in the Durham County Under-16 Cup did take place.

Redheugh made their exit from the competition when they lost by an only goal visiting Sunderland Fulwell, but there was better news for the league in that Cleveland Hall reached the next round.

They hosted South Shields and won 2-1.

Brompton Juniors

Brompton A team Under-9s controlled their game at Barnard Castle which was played mostly in Barny's half of the pitch. Captain, George Austic, scored three goals to take Brompton into a 3-0 half time lead which could have been doubled with some better finishing Brompton. The second period saw more good runs from midfield from Austic and Chris Holmes who dominated that area. Holmes and James Pugh linked well to open the second half another goal from Pugh and an own goal from Barny finished the game. Oliver Lowther also had a good game in defence.

Brompton B took their game from the start to Barny with an early goal from Mark Watkinson. Watkinson made it 2-0 before scoring a lovely free-kick from the edge of the area giving the keeper no chance. After half time Watkinson broke from midfield moving past the defence then running at the keeper who came out. Watkinson chipped the ball over him and just as it looked like going over, the ball dipped under the bar to score a delightful goal. A piledriver of a shot from Oliver Lowther deflected off a Barny player to score an own goal. Lowther followed this up with a corner which curled into the net escaping the efforts of a Barny player who attempted to clear the ball off the line. Captain, David Holmes, was inspirational in midfield, setting an excellent example to the other players. Further goals from Watkinson and Daniel Hills and a consolation own goal for Barny finished the game 8-1.

Brompton Under-11s ended a lay off, entertaining Dales Diamonds. Conditions were very heavy, and this eventually told on the less experienced Diamonds team.

Brompton started strongly, with Mullen and Cooper netting early on, but Diamonds broke to pull one back.

Towards half time the home side pressed hard, and Bunn crossed for Mullen to head home. By half time, the home team were 4-1 leaders.

The second half began with an individual goal by Thoroughgood for the visitors after the home defence switched off, but as the game progressed from then on, Brompton took control with all players working hard on the heavy pitch.

Mullen and Cooper both completed hat tricks before the end as Brompton ran out 10-3 winners.