Darlington Spraire Lads - At Under-12 level, Spraire had three games in seven days. A week last Sunday, with a good performance on a difficult pitch, Spraire drew 0-0 with Allstars Colts.

They drew 1-1 with Allstars in another good team performance on Sunday, the goal scored by man of the match Elgie. Sandwiched between the games was the best all-round performance by the squad this season. Playing at leaders Marton Hall Drive, Spraire were one down at half-time. In the second-half Spraire really turned on the style with goals coming from Craig Lavelle (2), Christopher Grainger (2) and David Gamble to give Spraire an outstanding 5-2 victory. Spraire enjoyed a 3-0 victory against Leven at Under-14 level, all three goals coming from Kelland. The Under-13 team were 4-0 down by half-time against Newton Aycliffe. In an improved second-half they got back to 4-3, thanks to goals from Healey. Oliver and Leigh. However, two more goals by Aycliffe gave them a 6-3 win. Spraire entertained leaders Whinney Banks at Under-16 level and in a tense opening Spraire took the lead when Emson was brought down in the box for Wilson to convert the penalty. Whinney Banks grabbed two goals but Emson then went through to equalise and set up a tense finish. Whinney Banks took a 3-2 lead and it looked as though Spraire's hard work was not going to be rewarded. However, Spraire then won a free-kick which Wilson coolly stroked home. In an excellent game of football in which all played their part, a draw was a fair result.

Coxhoe Boys

The Under-12 team kept their fifth successive clean sheet in gaining a 2-0 win over Sunderland Rovers with goals from James Lawson and Philip Hayes. Tom Orton was nominated man of the match with Ben Raine outstanding in defence.

Darlington Allstars

THIS was not the best of weeks for Darlington 21st Allstars, most of the home games postponed yet again with only one point being gained from the nine league games played. The Under-12s topsy-turvy season continued at Marton, losing 2-0 but defending stoutly in the first-half and creating chances after the break. A breakaway goal and a second during a goalmouth scramble sealed the Allstars fate. David Peacock was man of the match. Then, in a home match played as an away game, the Under-12s were in derby action against Spraire Lads and drew 1-1 in a typically competitive and physical match. Both goals came from set pieces, Kyle Swankie netting his 20th of the season in the first-half. Team captain Dale Sheridan competed brilliantly in midfield and shaded the man of the match award from Michael Lunn and Scott Wilson. The Under-14s were at Norton Grange and, in a match which was a credit to junior football, gave a magnificent performance, only to lose 4-2. Darren Thompson and Iain Braithwaite got the Allstars goals and man of the match was goalkeeper Dave Hardisty. The Under-12 Colts travelled the short journey to Newton Aycliffe Youth and, in atrocious conditions, conceded their first goals in five games and lost 2-0. If first-half chances had been taken, the outcome may have been different but two goals on the break decided the final outcome. Midfielder Sam Bainbridge was man of the match. The Colts' second game of the week involved a trip to Marton and gave a particularly disappointing performance because of a lack of effort. The Colts eventually lost 2-0 and deservedly so. Lewis Franklin was man of the match. After a run of success, the Under-15s came back down to earth in their midweek game at Billingham Town. Allstars, 2-0 down early on, pulled a goal back only to go into the interval 3-1 behind. The home side made it 4-1 in the second-half, Allstars getting the final goal of the match which finished 4-2 to Billingham. Paul Burrows continued his recent knack of finding the net with his 12th goal of the season and man of the match Lyons converted a penalty. The Under-13 Colts were away to North Tees Juniors and while holding form for most of the first half and despite coming back well in the latter stages of the match, lost 5-2. Stephen Oliver notched his eighth goal of the season and Adam Yeadon grabbed the other. Man of the match was Eddie Jackson. The Under-15 Colts turned their scheduled home game into an away fixture at Teesside Athletic, the divisional leaders with a 100 per cent record. The Colts held their own for 25 minutes but by half-time were 2-0 down having missed a number of chances. Three further Teesside goals followed in the second half with James Moore getting a consolation goal for the Colts. Man of the match for the second game in succession was Michael Gibson. At seven-a-side level, the Under-10s travelled to Fishburn Boys for their penultimate game of the season with a glimmer of a chance of finishing second in the First Division. However, that chance quickly evaporated, Allstars going down 4-1 with a below-par display. The Allstars goal came from Liam Coates and man of the match was Michael Pattison. In a subsequent friendly, the Under-10s beat Fishburn 3-1. Man of the match Richard Moorhouse notching a hat-trick.

Riverside RAR

Chester-le-Street-based Riverside RAR Under nines put the icing on the cake of a fine season in the Russell Foster short-sided league by winning the league cup after finishing runners-up in the league.

The Riverside lads beat Ashbrooke 1-0 in the semi-final and then defeated Belford House 5-0 in the final. Danny Jackson scored the vital goal against Ashbrook with Jonathan Staff (2), Craig Lunch (2) and Jonathan Hewitson on target to sink Belford House.

The latter three players are all with the Sunderland FC Youth Academy.

Willington

Willington Boys Under 13s had to switch their Russell Foster Junior League game against FC Via Systems to their opponent's ground due to the weather, but still ran out 6-3 winners with goals from Warren Robinson, Michaell Walsh (2), Nick Hayton (2) and Lee Tinker.

Graham Lazenby was MoM. Away to Nissan in midweek, Willington lost 2-0 despite hitting the bar twice and a post twice and one effort kicked off the line.

Hayton was man of the match