South Durham Royals

THE Under-16s were host to Darlington Simply Lasses and Katie Outhwaite opened the scoring after just 12 minutes, forcing her way through the defence to shoot past the keeper.

Royals had several further chances but at half time the score remained 1-0.

Royals made a lively start in the second half with Michaela Edwards breaking through to make it 2-0. Minutes later Royals were awarded a penalty but the Simply Lasses keeper saved well.

Tracey Swales replied with an excellent corner, which was pounced upon by Katie Edwards who hit the net to make it 3-0. A free kick for the Lasses followed and N Dresser converted this well to make it 3-1.

Royals quickly replied when Outhwaite was again provided with good service from midfield to run past the defence and make it 4-1. With ten minutes remaining Royals produced some excellent passing football resulting in Michaela Edwards scoring to make it 5-1.

Tracey Swales put in a great pass to Katie Hewitson who ran on to score resulting in a 6-1 victory for the Royals.

The girls gave an excellent all round team performance and player of the match was Michaela Edwards.

In a close match South Durham Under-11s came up against Darlington Simply Lasses and the Royals started well with V Wray running past the Lasses defence and placed her shot in the top corner after five minutes.

Just three minutes later Royals were awarded a penalty but a great save meant that the score remained 1-0 at half time.

Ten minutes into the second half the Lasses equalised through S Dowson.

It remained a closely fought contest with both teams going close to scoring.

With two minutes remaining a defensive error allowed Zoe Cooke to break through and score the winning goal for Simply Lasses. The final score was Simply Lasses 2, South Durham Royals 1. Player of the match was Rebecca Toppin.

l South Durham Royals run teams at Under-11, Under-16 and senior level and are always looking to strengthen their squad. Anyone interested in joining the club should contact Jane Hewitson on 01388 815009.

Darlington Spraire Lads and Lasses

A resounding performance by the combined Reyrolles Kestrels and Spraire Lasses Under-13s gave them a well-earned 1-1 draw against Blyth which cracked Blyth's 100 per cent record.

Spraire required one point to finish runners-up in the league and the previous week Reyrolles/Spraire lost 15-0 to Blyth in the cup but this week a battling performance gave the girls the result they deserved. Chloe Atkinson scored the important equaliser. Important close marking by Laura Mather and Rebecca Boyd helped the cause, Danni Shutt in midfield, Rachel Hedley and Brogan Prudhoe at the back all starred, Kathryn Clarke worked hard up front and safe goalkeeper Pamela Macdonald giving the defence stability.

Tyne Tees Girls Youth League Under-13s

P W D L F A Pts

Blyth Whites 10 9 1 1 31 6 28

R. Kestrels/Spraire 10 7 1 2 76 49 22

Chester-le-Street 9 6 0 3 91 35 18

Newcastle Juniors 8 3 0 5 27 68 9

Rutherford Ravens 8 1 0 7 29 103 3

Forest Hall 9 0 0 9 10 103 0

In the League Cup Rachel McKnight scored two goals for Spraire Lasses with debutant Laura Gowling scored one and gaining the girl of the match in Newcastle's 7-5 win over Spraire. Eleanor Moran starred for Newcastle scoring their first five goals with a one-a-piece from Helen Drinkfield and Jane Spoors.

Laura Spence in goal for Spraire Lasses made several important saves. Sian Ealges, Joanne Wray and Laurel Barr in defence made good tackles with Helen McTague trying hard up front.

Laura Gowling blasted a great shot against the crossbar and nearly scored from the rebound, Rachel McKnight went close to adding to her two-goal tally.

Spraire Lads Under-8s beat Skerne Park Youth 7-0 and 11-0 in two league games. Josh Norris tried hard up front. Scorers were Wilson Kneeshaw (4), Mattie Bowlers (3), Kerry Hedley (3), Ryan Allinson, Jack Binks, Danny Stead (2), James Bennett (3) and Matthew Plumb.

At Under-13 the Teesside league team were in cup quarter final action against Cleveland Juniors. In a thrilling game it was 3-3 after normal time thanks to goals from Micheal Ward and two from Craig Lavelle. Even after extra time the teams could not be split so with the game remaining at 3-3 it went to penalties. Thanks to converted penalties by Gray, Knox, Elgin and Ward, Spraire went through 7-5.

At the same age in the Richmond league Spraire played Brompton losing 2-0 goals coming from McBride and Chandler man of the match going to Moor.

At Under-14 the B team played in the cup also against Cleveland Juniors this time Spraire lost 7-5 in a thrilling game that could have gone either way were Oliver, Jakeway and a hat-trick from McDonald.

The Under-14 A team lost a close encounter with Newton Aycliffe 2-0.

At Under-11 Spraire were in league action against Kader. Spraire desperately needed a win to get their promotion aspirations back on track. Spraire caused problems for Kader from the start. The first came when Leighton converted an Ashton corner. However despite Spraire's pressure Kader showed how dangerous they were when Hodgson rattled the Spraire bar. In the second half Spraire kept up the pressure and looked like being rewarded when Ward's shot seemed goal bound only for it to hit the angle. However Ward scored just minutes later to make it 2-0. With minutes remaining Hodgson pulled one back for Kader when he volleyed home a flick from Bainbridge.

At Under-17 Spraire played their second game in the Jubilee cup against local team Darlington Boys in an even first half Spraire went in 1-0 up thanks to a goal from Gilbey. In the second half Spraire added a further six coming from, Gilbey, Walton, Ralph, Wilson and two from Blenkharn to make the final score 7-0.

In mini-soccer in the Teesside League Spraire lost their cup quarter final 2-0 against Hartlepool Crest - man of the match Nicholas Petch. In the following friendly Spraire lost 1-0. In the Cleveland League Spraire played back to back games against Oakdene Athletic. The first a 0-0 draw with man of the match going to Paul Jefferson in the following game Spraire won 5-0 thanks to goals from Micheal Gillander, and two each for Josheu Newton and Ben Turnbull man of the match went to Andrew Grange.

l Young footabllers interested in playing for Spraire Lads and Lasses should contact Kev Bennett, John Boyd (01325) 284183.

Darlington Allstars

At seven- a-side level, in the Teesside Alliance's Challenge Cup, the Under-10s went through to the third round with a comprehensive 4-1 victory at Norton and Stockton Ancients B. Jamie Kilday, Dean Bland, Jack Johns and goalkeeper Jack Binks got the goals and Lee Gibbon was man of the match for a combative midfield display.

In a subsequent friendly, the Under-10s lost 2-0 with Darren Swankie man of the match.

At the same level, in the Richmondshire League, the Under-9 Colts were at home to Richmond and won 7-0 and 4-1. Nick Crowe got four goals, Andrew Wilson three, Thomas Airey two and Callum Roddy and Shane Campbell one each. Men of the matches were Crowe and Jordan Hanratty.

The Under-9s were also at home to Richmond and drew 1-1 and won 5-0. Danny Thomson got four goals in the second match and Bradley Simpson and James Humble got the other goals. Men of the matches were Adam Jackson and Callum Woodcock.

At 11-a-side level, the Under-12s strengthened their position at the top of Division Two with an emphatic 4-1 victory at Fishburn Boys, their eighth consecutive League win. 3-1 up at half-time, Allstars dominated the game and ran out deserved winners. Man of the match Jack Henderson hit a brace (25 for the season), Freddie Huscroft made his goal tally for the season 21 and Jamie Hind got the other goal.

The Under-13s suffered a disappointing exit from the Challenge Cup with a surprising 2-0 second round defeat at Whitby Town Juniors. The long trip was followed by a disjointed display but with a 0-0 scoreline maintained up to full-time. However, in extra-time, the home side notched two goals. Man of the match was midfielder Scott Wilson.

The Under-17s were also in Challenge Cup action, away at Wolviston Court Rangers, and lost a close game 2-1. A defensive reshuffle, because of injury early in the second half, did not help but chances in the first half went begging leading to unnecessary pressure in the second half. Mark Bosworth got the goal and Craig Winkworth was man of the match