JUNIOR FOOTBALL : Herrington close gap

Herrington closed the gap on leaders Jarrow St Bedes to just a couple of points when they hammered second bottom Lambton Street 8-0. David Smith rifles a hat-trick, Michael Hedley bagged a brace and others flowed from Mark Briggs, Michael Fletcher and Chris Day. Herrington had a game in hand on their rivals. In the League Cup Dunlop were leading Springboard 8-1 when the match was abandoned because Springboard had insufficient players on the field. They played for 56 minutes with the minimum number of seven players, but when one was sent off the referee called a halt. At that stage Dunlop were well on their way to victory with goals from Stephen Sweeney (4), Paul Hanson (3) and Gary Graham.

City of Durham

The Hornets Under-8s maintained their unbeaten record, winning and drawing this weekend. The first game against Whitburn was evenly matched with neither team able to score. The second game against Boldon was won with a superb free kick from man of the match Luke Sproates, scoring from the half way line making five goals from five free kicks so far this season for Luke. It was also the Hornets' fourth consecutive clean sheet thanks to keeper Matty Dobinson.

The Dragonflies played a 1-1 draw with Barnes Park with the Durham goal coming from Stevie Ramm. In their second game there were goals from Nunney (2), Scotter (2) and Madrell in a comprehensive 5-1 win over Tyneside Storm.

The Under-9s Mosquitos conceded two quick goals to Grindon before replying through Liam Robson. In search of an equaliser Mosquitos were caught on the break and lost 3-1. Man of the match was Lewis Thompson.

In their second game against Lambton Street Mosquitos ended up 4-0 down with David Leather man of the match.

The Under-10s Hornets played well on Saturday winning their first match against East Boldon 2-1 with Jake Richardson and Lewis Harrison scoring. Their second match held East Durham to a 1-1 draw with Ryan Nann scoring.

The Scorpions held Redby Whites to a 0-0 draw in their first match and their second match was won 1-0 against Seaham Red Star Eclipse with Matthew Robinson scoring.

The Spiders lost both of their games 2-0 despite playing very well.

The Under-12s Pumas entertained Dunlop Tyres on Wednesday night and kept up their Premiership challenge with a 4-0 victory. Goalscorers were Luke Sullivan (2), Dan Petty and Olly 'Scotch' Hotchkiss.

On Sunday the Durham lads travelled to Redby and played some lovely attacking football with the scoreline of 7-0 not doing the boys justice.

Goalscorers were Olly 'Scotch' Hotchkiss (4), Dink Fryatt, James Marwood and Carl Smith.

The Panthers kept up their quests for promotion with a 5-0 win over Redhouse. The 'Black Cats' were in control throughout and were rewarded with strikes from Joe Lawther (2), Michael Lynch (2) and Andy Parkington.

The Under-13s also travelled to Sunderland and a good squad performance resulted in a 6-0 win over Barnes. Goalscorers were Mark Henson (2), Seb Coady, Nicky Pickford, Michael Bough and James Booth.

Darlington 21st Allstars

Whilst it was a generally poor weekend for the Allstars' Challenge Cup dreams, it was also a momentous weekend for one squad which gained promotion to the Teesside Alliance's Division One.

Congratulations go to the Under 12s who, for the second season in succession, achieved a well-earned promotion. A visit to third-placed Stockton West End brought a superb 3-2 victory and the necessary three points. Allstars started slowly and found themselves 2-0 down. However, grit and determination brought two goals from man of the match Jack Henderson and another from Lee Mullis and the victory was theirs. The Under-13s had a stern test at home to Marton FC, the top team in Division One, and finished with a creditable 1-1 draw. After taking the lead through midfielder Matthew Sutton, Allstars battled well in a determined defensive display and the point was well earned. Man of the match was Jonathan Dunn.

The Under-12 Colts were away to Spraire Lads and drew 2-2 a fair result in an exciting derby. Both goals came from Jack Ridley with the man of the match award going to David Kelly.

The Under-11 Colts drew 3-3 in a home game against Hardwick Youth, after being in a 3-1 lead, only to concede two late goals. The Colts' goals came via Matthew Shaw, Liam Dixon and man of the match Scott Colling.

The Under-15s went down 2-1 at home to North Ormesby after a valiant but vain attempt to get an equaliser in the latter stages of the match. Man of the match Darren Thompson got the Allstars' only goal.

The Under-11s were in quarter-final Challenge Cup action and lost 5-4 at Lingdale Athletic. An end-to-end game could have gone either way but Allstars were out of luck on the day. Ross Burton grabbed two goals, including a tremendous curling free kick, and Danny Groves and Ross Kelly got the others. Man of the match was Adam Armstrong.

The Under-14s were also in a quarter-final of the Challenge Cup and lost 10-2 at Clairville Boys after a display which did little credit to the Club or the players themselves. Darryl Roberts hit both goals and Thomas Reeves was man of the match. The Under-14 Colts suffered a heavy defeat at home to North Tees Juniors, 8-0. The Colts were 2-0 down at half-time and any chances of getting back into the game soon crumbled in the second half. Man of the match was Craig Short.

The Under-17s made the long journey to Marske United in the Jubilee Cup and lost 7-0 after being 5-0 down at half-time to opponents 12 places and a division higher in the League. Man of the match was David Raine.

At seven-a-side level, the Under-10 Colts were in Challenge Cup action at home to Newton Aycliffe Youth A. 3-0 down at half-time, the Colts rallied well in the second half but eventually lost 4-0. Man of the match was Thomas McCabe. In a subsequent friendly, the Colts lost 6-1, Sam Hird getting the goal and Daniel Cummings the Man of the match award.

Again at seven-a-side level, this time in a quarter-final of the Challenge Cup at Fishburn Boys, the Under-10s narrowly lost 2-1, failing to take early chances and paying the price. Lee Gibbon notched the goal and Jack Johns was man of the match. In a subsequent friendly, the Under-10s drew 1-1, with Dale Dixon scoring on his debut and Matthew Connelly was man of the match.

New County North Durham Youth League

Ogame was played in the Under-16 Division A and Sandhole won for only the fourth time defeating joint bottom of the table Winlaton 2-1 with a couple of goals by Robbie Blemmings. Chris Henderson was on the mark for Winlaton who share basement position with South Shields Abfad.

In the Under-16 Subsidiary Cup there were victories for South Shields Abfad and Waldridge Park.

The Shieldsmen managed just one win in the league all season defeating Blaydon 2-0.

In the Under-17 Division A Redheugh strengthened their grip at the top of the table with a 7-0 victory at home to Sandhole, courtesy of goals by Wayne Bone, David Jeffers (2), Stephen Fallon, Gary Walmsley and Danny Oulsagea.

In Division B of the Under-17 section Gateshead Fell moved to within two points of leaders Hebburn Clegwell with a 2-0 success at Prudhoe Town. A number of sides were involved in the Under-17 Charlie Thomas Memorial Trophy and there were victories for Hebburn Clegwell, West Denton, Stocksfield and Consett. Consett won 4-2 at Chopwell. Stocksfield defeated Wardley 2-1 and West Denton hit Blackfyne 8-2.

Coxhoe Boys

THE Under-13s lost 4-2 to Blackfyne in the Gateshead League last weekend.

New signing Michael Owens grabbed both goals for Coxhoe who battled throughout the game despite being 4-2 at half-time.

Northallerton Juniors

The Under-12s travelled to Richmond for their cup semi-final game , a tense affair with neither team giving ground to the other . A solid midfield performance from Sam Grainger sand Nathan Pratt gave Northallerton the edge in the second half, with the game heading towards extra time a solo effort from Shane Darby broke the deadlock giving Northallerton a deserved final place.

The Under-13s played hosts to a strong and well organised Bedale team. The visitors opened the scoring early on and continued to dominate the first half with a further two goals. The second half saw the visitors extend their lead to four goals although this was the cue for a monumental fight back, a neat flick on from Matthew Hill put Andy Lagan through, he finished well. The provider turned finisher with a headed goal. Andy Lagan latched on to a reverse pass from Michael Pedley to equalise. With extra time approaching the home team's Shane Bendelow curled in a corner and it was met perfectly by Jack Eyre. With seconds left Adam Hodgkinson completed the fight-back and netted Northallerton's sixth.