Durham lose national final

The Under-18s lost 2-1 away to Birmingham in the final of the FA County Youth Cup, but gave a good account of themselves in what was their ninth national final. Durham have won the trophy seven times, the last being in 1999.

The final was played at Walsall FC's Bescot Stadium. Durham were inhibited by having three players booked in the first 15 minutes by over-fussy referee Lee Mason, midfielder Steven Brown and defenders Chris Gill and Stephen Howe. Durham still gave as good as they got in an end to end game, and it was Durham who took the lead with a twenty-fifth minute penalty.

Birmingham goalkeeper Andy Wheeler was sent off for a trip on Durham centre-forward David Tait. With substitute goalkeeper Phil Taylor coming on in goal for Birmingham, Ben Gawthorpe scored from the spot.

Durham failed to take advantage of the extra man and were caught out midway through the second half when Gill had to go off injured. Before he could be replaced, Dean Perrow side-footed the ball in from a right wing cross to level the scores.

Three minutes later Durham had a man sent off when Howe was dismissed for his second caution. The game remained in the balance until two minutes from time when a free kick to the far post was headed back into the area for Anth Hall to scramble the ball in for the Birmingham winner.

Durham team: Michael Leighton (Chilton YC), John Berry (Consett) (sub Mark Harrison, Herrington), Chris Gill (Dunston), (sub Dale Elliott, Trimdon), David Angel (Trimdon), Stephen Howe (Willington), Stephen Tobin (Chilton), Adam Reid (Chilton), Steven Brown (Gateshead Redheugh BC), David Tait (Chester le Street), Craig Ellison (Herrington), Ben Gawthorpe (Herrington). Subs not used: Philip Waddleton (Trimdon), David Stephenson (Jarrow St. Bedes), Danny Olosuga (Gateshead Redheugh). Manager: Dave Cleary.

Chester-le-Street

SOMETHING had to give when Chester-le-Street Town Under-18s met Gateshead Redheugh Boys Under-17s in the final of the Durham County Cup at Albany Park Washington on Tuesday evening.

Both sides had 100 per cent records intact in all competitions but it was the Cestrians who won this encounter with Andrew Robinson scoring twice either side of half-time to take his tally for the club to 100 goals.

Durham County FA captain Ben Gawthorpe volleyed a superb opener for Chester after 13 minutes before Robinson ensured a comfortable 2-0 half-time lead.

After the break it was a different story as the Gateshead lads came out fighting and battled well into the game! Steven Jeffers reduced the deficit when his right wing cross beat substitute the Cestrians substitute goalkeeper Mark Middlemass at the back post.

With Redheugh pushing for an equaliser, Chester broke away to secure the winner through Robinson's 100th goal for the club.

Chester Manager Andrew Muxworthy said: "Redheugh deserved something out of the game as it was an outstanding display by an Under-17 side against Under-18s.

"I thought we would be stronger mentally and physically but they matched us - and, they played the better football for most of the game. However, despite the fact we were not at full-strength, we battled and dug in and got a result in normal time.

"That is good enough for me."

This is the Cestrians' second trophy of the season as they have won the league, finishing a minimum 13 points ahead of Jarrow St Bedes. The side are now, two wins away from a 100 per cent record in all competitions.

Hal Graham was Chester-le-Streets' County Cup Man of the Match.

Chester: Simpson (Middlemass 46), Harrison (Burns 70), Thorn, Graham, Marley, Kime, Rand, Hope (Potter 59). Robinson, Drummond, Gawthorpe. Subs not used: Hepple, Collinson.

Redheugh: Martin, Clark, Fallow, Mouter, Small, Bone, Olusaga, McDonald, Jeffers, Brown, Warmsie.

City of Durham

New Ferens Park hosted the finals for the Under-11s, Under-12s and Under-13s Russell Foster League Cup competitions in front of a large crowd.

City of Durham Under-11s started the day's program with a hard fought battle against East Boldon.

The boys dominated much of the game and took the lead with a great strike from James Ellis just before half time. Despite having most of the play in the second half they could not add to the scoreline.

Congratulations to the whole squad and to the Coaches Paul Abbott and Richie Madden.

The Under-11s are looking to complete the double this week and are currently top of the League needing one point from the remaining three games.

The Under-12s met Oakerside Juniors in the next final with the boys giving another fantastic display of skill and determination. The first goal came early in the match from Ross Wilkinson and that set the tone for the rest of the game. Further first half goals came from from Dan Burley, Jonathan Heslop and Olly 'Scotch' Hotchkiss.

The second half saw another four goals for the Durham boys, another for Olly Hotchkiss and Dan Petts, James Marwood and Luke Sullivan completing the scoring. The final score 8-0 to City of Durham.

The Under-13s took on close rivals Birtley St Josephs in the third final of the day. Despite the boys battling hard against a strong St Josephs side, the game ended City of Durham 0, Birtley St Josephs 2.

The Under-8s Dragonflies had only one game this weekend and keep their position at the top of the table with a 2-0 victory over Tyneside Storm. Scorers Matthew Petts and Stevie Ramm. The boys only need one point from their next two games to secure the league title.

Mixed fortunes for the Hornets this week. In their first game against Boldon Colts they lost to a late goal with Brad Davies man of the match.

In the second game, a good team performance saw them win 1-0 against Whitburn Wasps with a lovely freekick from Charlie D' Arcy. Man of the match Charlie D'Arcy and Peter Lavery.

The Under-9s Midges continued their recent run of form with a convincing win over Tyneside Juniors 8-0 with Calum Gibson securing his first hat-trick.

Scorers: Connor Atkinson (2), Corey Brennan (2), James Brown, Calum Gibson (3). Man of the match Corey Brennan.

In the other game the Midges earned a 1-1 draw with Thorney Close Eagles. Scorer: John Charlton. Man of the match David Roberts.

Mosquitos led Redby Blues by 1-0 with a Liam Robson top corner half volley, but with a minute to go Redby equalised man of the match. Bobby Walters.

In their second game Mosquitos battled hard against Riverside but ended 3-0 losers. Man of the match again Bobby Walters. With only five games left Mosquitos need to compete well to end the season on a high note.

The Under-11s small-sided Bees finished their league fixtures on Saturday with a disappointing 3-0 defeat to South Tyneside. They complete their Chairmans Cup fixtures against Plains Farm on Saturday.

The Under-12s Pumas met Newton Hall midweek in the League and despite going a goal down, and after missing many opportunities the boys finished the game 3-1 winners, goals from Olly Hotchkiss, Brinsley Sheridan and James Marwood.

Blackfyne

Blackfyne Under-9s at the end of a long hard season the under nines finished joint second in the Apollo Doors Gateshead Mini League. A great achievement for the team who only lost two games all season and only conceded 15 goals. The players and parents deserve a special mention for their hard work. Blackfyne are looking forward to renewing their rivalry with champions Sandhole next season.

Blackfyne are starting to hold Soccer Tots on a Friday night between 6pm and 7pm. All players aged between four and seven are welcome to come along - bring your boots as the session will be outdoors. For further information ring Paul McCance on 01207 506785.

The Under-12s, meanwhile, beat Chopwell 4-0 with Daniel Walker, Stephen Turnbull and Andrew Rennoldson (2) scoring the goals. Andrew Rennoldson was voted MoM by the opposition.

Coxhoe Athletic

After losing for the first time in the league this season Coxhoe Under-16s missed the chance to take the Russell Foster division one championship.

It now goes down to the last game of the season against their rivals Durham County when Coxhoe will need just a point to win the league.

Rohm and Haas JOC Hetton Youth League

South Moor will play Trimdon in the final of the North-East Durham Youth Cup. South Moor just edged Washington Dunlop with a second half goal from Raisbeck and the result enabled them to avenge a league defeat by Dunlop just a few days earlier.

Trimdon on played their semi-final tie on Monday night at Jarrow St Bedes and won 2-1 with strikes by Paul Wilkinson and David Angel.

Hebburn lifted the league Subsidiary Cup with a 2-0 success at home to Ryhope. David Lowery scored both goals.

It is still neck and neck at the top of the table with Herrington just two points ahead of Jarrow St Bedes. The team have played the same number of games and Trimdon are also in contention.

They have played a couple of matches fewer than their rival and although they are seven points adrift of Herrington and five behind Jarrow St Bedes, Trimdon are not yet out of the race.

Riverside

Congratulations go to the Under-8s who clinched the Premier league title at the weekend.

Needing only two points from their final two games, Riverside beat Byers Green 2-0 and then Doxford Park 2-1.

Scorer of all four Riverside goals was Marcus Maddison and man of the match performances came from Michael Dryden and Michael Roberts.

In the Under-10s, congratulations are also due to Riverside RAR who completed a league and cup double. In the semi final of the cup they beat Durham County Mosquitoes 4-0 with goals from Andy Brown, Ricky Fenwick, Craig Lynch and Johnathan Staff. They then went on to beat Fulwell Juniors 3-1 in the final with Ricky Fenwick scoring a hat trick in the first seven minutes.

In the league the RAR beat South Tyneside 2-0 with goals from Kieran McDonald and Johnny Hewittson. They then drew 0-0 with Ashbrook which was enough to give them the league title.

In the same league the Riverside Boys fought out a 0-0 draw against Boldon and were then were unlucky to go down 1-0 to third in the table Ashbrook.

The Under-12s moved into fourth spot in the Premier League with a 6-2 win at home to Belford House.

Belford took the lead after ten minutes against the run of play but Riverside hit back with goals from Adam Barker (2), Simon Godfrey, Ross Flynn, Craig Towers and Mark Peck.