Junior football, Lasses claim championship

This week pride of place goes to Spraire Lasses Under-11s who secured the Tyne Tees League championship with a 6-1 win over South Durham Royals. Racheal McNight getting a hat-trick, Jordan Atkinson one and two for girl of the match Laura Goulding.

Still in mini-football the Under-10s in the Teesside League enjoyed a 5-1 victory over Leven Athletic with goals coming from Petch (2), Wilson and two for man of the match Smalley. At the same age in the Cleveland league Spraire drew 2-2 with Stockton West End thanks to two goals from Turnbull man of the match went to Hinde. In the following friendly Spraire won 5-1 with goals from Ryan, Newton (3) and Swann.

Still in mini-football the Under-9s won 4-2 at Hartlepool Masons the goals came from Jordan Grieves (2) Dale Johnson, and man of the match Jackson Kneeshaw. At Under-8s Spraire drew 0-0 with Greatham in a game where the defence was superb man of the match went to Kerry Headley.

In 11-a-side Spraire at Under-11 continued their promotion push, Spraire got the opener through Martin. However in the second half Stockton got two quick goals. Spraire kept playing there football and were rewarded when Martin scored from an Ashton corner. The third came from another corner, West End cleared it as far as Hasty who fired in to the top corner. This three points sets up a promotion decider on Sunday at South Park.

At Under-13 in the Teesside League Spraire drew 2-2 with Yarm thanks to two goals from Craig Lavelle.

At Under-14 Spraire were unlucky to lose 3-2 to Cleveland Juniors goals coming from Ashton and Healey.

Spraire Lads Under-13s struggled to find their form in their 2-1 win against hard-working Dales Diamonds. Spraire took an early lead through Thomas Chandler but Dales Diamonds took advantage of some slack marking just before half-time to equalise. However, there was just enough time for Robert Moor to put Spraire back in the lead before the break. Man of the match Chandler should have added to Spraire's tally in the second half, but Diamonds' keeper had a fine game.

Darlington 21st Allstars

The Under-14s were in Third Round Challenge Cup action against Norton & Stockton Ancients who compete in a higher division. The game was scheduled as a home Cup tie but was played away, a change which did not seem to bother the Allstars as, after being 1-0 down, they came back to win a place in the quarter-finals with a 2-1 victory. Darryl Roberts made it 18 for the season with a brace of goals and Billy Johns was man of the match.

The Under-11 Colts were in League action (another home game played away) against Belasis Juniors and, in an evenly-matched game, the Colts managed to eventually come out on top 3-1, playing some excellent football. Benn Murphy slotted in another two goals to make it 15 for the season and Adam Macdonald got the other one. Man of the match was Oliver Webster.

At seven-a-side level in the Teesside Alliance, the Under-10s recorded their fifth victory in six games, 1-0 at Billingham Town Boys after a hard-fought match. Jack Johns got the goal and Darren Swankie was man of the match. In a subsequent friendly, the Under-10s drew 1-1 with a goal from Lee Gibbon and a man of the match display from captain Liam Howells.

The Under-14 Colts, just like the Under-14s, had a Challenge Cup home tie switched to an away ground, their trip to New Marske SC - a side three divisions higher - being ultimately disappointing as they suffered a 4-0 defeat. Starting the match in a determined frame of mind, the Colts saw a number of efforts bounce off the woodwork and unluckily went in 1-0 down at half-time. More grit and determination in the second half brought a continuing close contest but poor conditions and tired legs finally told, with New Marske netting three more times. Man of the match was Chris Carter.

Darlington Albion

Albion Under-11s quickly got down to business going 2-0 up in the first ten minutes with goals from Phililip Caley and Chris Farlow. The away side responded with great character and at the interval it was 2-2.

Albion added further goals in the second half through Mattew Haymer and Joe Watson to make it 4-2 and a nail-biting final ten minutes saw Albion win 5-4. The fifth was scored by Haymer and man Callum Tarren.

Albion Under-9s played at home against Barnard Castle. The first three games in a re-arranged fixture were one sided in favour of Barnard Castle. However in game four the Albion showed more commitment and after going down 1-0 at half time fought back to level the match with a goal from Jack Peart.

Game 1: Lost 9-0, Game 2: Lost 4-0, Game 3: Lost 11-0, Game 4: drew 1-1.

Albion Under-12s played away to Richmond. Both teams played some good football and scores were level at 1-1 at half time with Albion's goal scored by Chris Binks. Albion failed to capitalise on their chances in the second half and final score was 2-1 to Richmond. Albion's star was Luke Blaser.

Bishop Auckland

St Mary's

THE Under-13s are the champions of their League in the Teesside Junior Alliance. St Mary's clinched the second division title with a game to spare thanks to a 2-1 victory over Norton & Stockton Ancients. Lawrence Oliver and Darren Richardson got the goals for Bishops.

"We have had a very successful season, and the team is still in the league cup," said club secretary Fred Anderson.

St. Mary's Under-12s drew 2-2 with Kader in a hard-fought league game thanks to goals from Michael Gibson and John Bainbridge. John Dowd was man of the match.

Rohm and Haas JOC Hetton Youth League

The failure of three of the four leading sides to win has thrown open the race for the championship.

Trimdon, who boasted a 100 per cent record from nine, suffered a 5-1 defeat visiting leaders Jarrow St Bedes.

Daniel McGinley and David Stephenson both scored twice for the Tynesiders whose other marksman was Colin Magee.

Kurt Luke hit a consolation for Trimdon, who stay in fourth place 15 points adrift of Jarrow St Bedes with no fewer than six games in hand.

Second top Herrington surprisingly failed to take maximum points from their visit to Ryhope, who came from behind to gain a 1-1 draw.

Following goalless opening 45 minutes Brian Smiles gave Herrington the lead, but to their credit Ryhope, who have struggled in recent weeks, fought back and gained an equaliser.

Herrington are 11 points behind Jarrow St Bedes having played four fewer games and South Moor have fulfilled the same number of fixtures at Herrington, but are two points worse off than the second top team.

Despite twice leading South Moor could only draw at Lumley whose man of the match was Craig McManus.

An own goal gave South Moor the advantage at the halfway stage before McManus twice struck to put Lumley 2-1 in front. Kris Hewitt levelled and Kelvin Armstrong put the north west Durham side ahead for the second time but McManus came up trumps for Lumley completing his hat-trick.

Another player to score three times was Washington Dunlop's Danny Graham in his side's 4-1 victory at home to Sacriston when four of the five goals were scored during the second period.

Only one goal separated the teams at the halfway stage, but after the break Dunlop made their supremacy count and romped home. Paul Ingram was Dunlop's other scorer.

Willington Boys

THE Under-13s played their first game for a month, winning 3-1 away to Holly Park Rangers in the Russell Foster Junior League. Man of the match Lewis Hope, Adam Combie and Adam Nichols got the goals. For Nichols, it was his first ever goal in competitive football.

The game between the Under-14s and Durham City in the Teesside Junior Alliance on Sunday was in jeopardy as Willington's Parkside pitch was flooded, but hard work by secretary Michael Savage ensured the game could take place at Durham.

Playing some excellent football from the start, Willington went into a 4-0 first half lead. The second half was more even, Willington eventually running out 7-2 winners. Nick Hayton scored five goals for Willington, with Michael Walsh, Lee Tinkler and substitute Daniel Kent getting one each. Hard work throughout earned Thomas Copping the man of the match award.

South Durham Royals

Playing against second place Gretna was a difficult fixture for Royals at the weekend. Royals were under pressure from the start and Gretna led 4-0 at half time.

In the second half Royals had some good spells but Gretna were the first to score but minutes later some good build up play from midfield sent Jodie Gwynne through to score for the Royals.

Two goals in the last five minutes made the final score 7-1 to Gretna.

Katie Outhwaite made some great saves and was awarded player of the match.

l South Durham Royal run teams at Under-11, Under-16 and senior level. Anyone interested in joining the club should contact Laura Towns on (01325) 255138.

Coxhoe Boys

A below-par performance from the Under-13 side led to a narrow defeat at Stanley Sandhole at the weekend.

Coxhoe conceded the only goal of the game in the first five minutes, and although the team battled hard, Bobby Orton's side couldn't find the breakthrough.