Junior Football

Bedes who, with the same players, are top of both their respective Saturday and Sunday leagues, were never really in the hunt as the Cestrians set the tone with some excellent football in a fierce battle.

Andrew Robinson raced on to a fine through ball from Geoff Heeple to fire past Mark English to give Chester a 20th minute lead. Both sides then had opportunities to score with Robinson and Geoff Hepple in particular going close. After the break Bedes came out strongly and tried to battle their way back through the influential David Stephenson who was well shackled by man of the match Hal Graham. As the game moved to the hour mark Chester missed half a dozen clear chances before Robinson blasted his second for a two goal cushion. Substitute Ben Gawthorpe then fired the third after some excellent approach play. Chester had further chances towards the end but needs never gave up the hunt in a battle contested to the end.

Chester-le-Street: Simpson, Marley, Thorn, Rand, Graham, Potter, Hope (Gawthorpe 55), Kime, Robinson, Hepple (Tait 65), Drummond. Subs not used: Harrison, Middlemass, Rudkin.

Jarrow St. Bedes: English, Lolly, Henry, Bebilt, McCallay, Younger, Taylor, Martin, Leonard, Stephenson, Hazard (McGee). Subs not used: Ord, Parkin.

Referee: K Hunter

Meanwhile, the Under-17s were unfortunate to lose in their match at Gateshead Redheugh. The home side were 1-0 up at half time before Mark Adamson equalised for Chester just after the break. Craig Ellison then shot wide from the penalty spot and had another opportunity but his chipped effort just missed the target. Redheugh soon went 2-1 up and added a third with the last kick of the game.

On Sunday the Under-16s are at home to Birtley St. Josephs, the Under 17s are away to Hylton Castle and the Under 18s are away to bottom of the table Boldon.

Rohm and Haas JOC Youth League

Othree games went ahead because of water-logged grounds but their were crucial victories for Herrington and Trimdon.

Herrington, who have now won 12 of their 13 fixtures, are just three points behind leaders Jarrow St. Bedes whose fixture with Dunlop was one of those which fell victim to the weather.

Herrington hosted third from top South Moor and won by a single goal scored in the first half by Andrew Dawson.

Trimdon visited Lumley and maintained their 100 per cent record although they have played just nine games, fewer than any other team in the league.

Following a goalless first half Kurt Luke fired them in front and when John Maddison added a second goal, Lumley were faced with an uphill battle. Following an ill tempered game, Lampton Street recalled their first win of the season after the 15th attempt, defeating Ryhope 3-0.

James Smith banged goals and Sean King also scored but the success was insufficient to lift Lampton Street out of the bottom two. They are now four points in front of basement side Springboard who have managed just one point in 15 outings.

Fairs Software Tyneside Junior League

Just one game was played as almost the entire programme was wiped out because of the weather but Whitley Bay, in second position behind Walkers Central, were pleased that their fairs cup tie at Newcastle East End did not need to be postponed.

They romped to one of their biggest victories of the season, finishing 9-1 in front as they dominated their Tyneside opponents throughout the tie.

Phil Grey rifled four goals, Colin Law was credited with a hat trick and Paul McDuff bagged a brace of goals while Newcastle East End's consolation goal came from Paul Blake.

In the league, Walkers Central lead will be by four points but they have played one more game and also in contention are Redheugh, in third position. They are five points adrift of Walkers Central having fulfilled the same number of fixtures.

It is almost certain that Cleveland Hall will finish with the wooden spoon. They have yet to secure a single point following 17 attempts and are 11 points adrift of West Denton and Crook, who share second bottom position although Crook have five games in hand on West Denton.

Apollo Doors Gateshead Youth League

Leam Rangers Y closed the gap on Leam Rangers G at the top of the under 11 division with a 4-1 victory at home to Redeugh.

They are now three points behind their neighbours but have played one game more while Low Fell moved up into third place with a convincing 6-0 success against Consett. Phil Taylor, Stephen Dover and Alex Tait all scored twice.

A brace of goals by James Swaddle led Whickham Fellside R to a 3-0 victory at Chopwell and Whickham Fellside B also won by a 3-0 margin when they hosted Swalwell.

In the Under-12 section, Redheugh extended their lead over Blackfyne to 11 points defeating Low Fell C 5-1. The biggest win in this division went to Leam Rangers G who reached double figures ending 10-4 in front of Blaydon when most of the goals came from Chris Stephenson (4) and Kyle Moffatt (3). Gary Kelly and Adam Boba both scored twice for Blaydon. Another player to find the net on two occasions was Michael Curry at his side, Leam Rangers Y saw off the challenge Trimdon.

In the Under-13 division Redheugh lead Blaydon by six points. They finished 4-0 in front of Cleveland Hall and Blaydon won by 2-0 margin at Consett. Andrew Ransom and Adam Bell both banged a brace of goals in Winlatons exciting 5-3 success over Consett and Craig Paler (3) and Johnny Thompson (2) scored most of the goals as Sandhall hit Cooper Hall with an 8-2 defeat. Both Cooper Hall goals were scored by Jonathon Rochford.

In the Under-14 section, Blaydon continue to have a narrow advantage on Leam Rangers. They finished 6-3 ahead of Righton when Leam Bell scored a hat trick and all three Righton goals were netted by Lee Morton.

Leam Rangers are just two points worse off than Blaydon but have played an extra game. They hit Blackfyne 9-2 when both Michael Clarke and David Cooley scored three times.

Cleveland Hall narrowly defeated Stocksfield by a 2-0 margin and Felling ended 3-1 ahead of Redheugh when Barry Appleton scored twice.

Two games were played in the under 15 section and Cleveland Hall consolidated pole position with a 5-0 win at home to Wylam when Leam Docherty banged a brace of goals.

Consett ended 5-3 winners at home to Blaydon as Scott Reay netted on three occasions.

New County North Durham Youth League

Two games were played in the Under-16 B division and there were victories for Felling and Prudhoe Town.

Felling hammered Blaydon 8-0 with goals by Anthony Thompson (3), Stephen Page, Richardson (3) and Paul Wheeler while Prudhoe Town finished 6-3 victors at home to Swalwell following a nine goals thriller.

Stephen Smith and Carl Smith both netted on two occasions for Prudhoe and Michael Robson was another player to find the net on two occasions for Swalwell.

In the Under-17 division one match went ahead in Division A with West Denton hammering Stocksfield 6-0.

Several clubs were involved in the Charlie Thomas Memorial Trophy and none did better than Gateshead Fell who hit Haydon Bridge with 9-0 defeat. Most of the goals came from Anthony Armstrong, with a hat-trick and Mario Pinella (2).

Goals by Craig Rice, John Lidster and Stephen Kirkbride enabled Anfield Plane to make progress at Cleveland Hall whose only goal came from Kevin Poppleton.

Sandhall were easy winners at Jordan when both Andrew Miller and Ronnie Ellis scored twice.

Cleveland Hall will fly the flag on behalf of the league in the final of the Durham County Under 16 Cup after defeating Hordon 3-0 with goals by Chris Laws (2) and Stephen Richardson.

While in the quarter final of the Durham CountyUnder 18 Cup Consett were a narrow 5-4 winners at Wardley Legion.

Paul McDonald (2), Daniel Craggs and Chris Haggart were all on target for Consett with David Lucas (3) and Mark Carr replying for Wardley.