Spennymoor Legion Under-18s remain enthusiastic and optimistic for their second campaign in the Auckland and District EBAC Youth League despite finishing bottom of the league in their debut season.

"We won one game and drew one, but the lads all enjoyed themselves and most of them are still signed on. We have a squad of 27 players and they are as enthusiastic as ever," said club secretary Keith Bulmer.

The league is looking for new clubs to boost its numbers. With only seven teams in the league last season, the league cup was played on a league format to provide enough games. "We have had a couple of tentative enquiries, but nothing definite yet," said league secretary Bob Farms, who can be contacted on 01388 818192.

The annual meeting of the league is being held at Spennymoor United on

Monday June 10 (7.30). New clubs can be accepted right up until the start of the new season, likely to be the first week in September.

Darlington Spraire Lads

Darlington Spraire Lads Under-11s entered three teams into Rowntrees seven-a-side competition in York at the weekend and all teams were strong contenders, coming through group stages after playing six opposing teams.

Spraire Eagles lost 2-0 to Burniston and Cloughton; lost 3-0 to Rawcliffe; were given a 2-0 win over Richmond when their opponents did not turn up; beat Wigginton B 1-0 (Shane McVenea); drew 0-0 with Strensall Tigers; lost 3-0 to Brooklyn.

They played Spraire Hawks in the quarter-finals and lost 3-0.

Spraire Kestrels faired slight better by: beating Dunnington 2-1 (div two); lost 2-0 to Spraire Hawks (Hastie and Hall); beat Catterick A 2-1 (Martin 2); beat Richmond A 1-0; lost to Northallerton 1-0; beat Wigginton Grasshoppers 4-0 (Martin 2, Verity, Davison).

The Kestrels met Strensall Tigers in the quarter-finals beating them 8-0 (Martin 4, Davison 2, Verity, Smalley) but lost 3-0 in the semis to Rawcliffe.

Spraire Hawks also put on a good show by winning four, drawing one and losing one game in the group stages getting as far as the semis but losing out on that match 1-0.

All squad members were a credit to themselves and Spraire Lads as their attitude and behaviour on and off the field was excellent.