Junior Football

A DRAMATIC winner deep in extra-time finally put paid to the Under-15s run in the Teesside Alliance Alternative Cup, beaten 2-1 by Grangetown. The Boys again raised their game against higher league opposition and led 1-0 through a direct free kick by Phil Smith. A rare mistake by keeper Andy Ward allowed Tony Coleman to level the scores and the game remained level throughout the second half. With penalties looming, Coleman finally found space and time to win the game for Grangetown. Chris Lockerbie was Darlington's man of the match after a series of surging runs with the ball created havoc around the visitor's goal.

Auckland and District Ebac Youth League

Revenge was sweet for Crook Town junior team manager Billy Horn when his lads defeated champions Herrington CW 2-0 after extra time in the semi-finals of the Durham County Youth Cup.

Horn was in charge of the Esh Winning U-18 side two years ago when, as champions, Esh lost the County Cup final 3-1 to Herrington in a replayed match after winning the first encounter 1-0.

The game was wiped out and the final tie ordered to be replayed by the Durham FA because Esh had fielded an ineligible player.

Goalkeeper Matt Smith took part in a trial for Newcastle United less than 28 days before the game, so his taking part in the final was against DFA rules.

Horn said: "It was n not Smith's fault. He was not to know the rules and Newcastle United should have notified us they had played him, but did not do so.

"It was heart-breaking having to take medals back off the lads after they thought they had won the trophy for the second year in succession.

"But we were all the victims of circumstances. Our team did not want to play the second final but they had to play again or we would have been fined heavily but their hearts were not in it."

Smith got a scholarship at an American university and is now playing and studying in the USA.

Herrington retained the county cup last year, but have been denied the chance of a hat-trick by their semi-final defeat.

Crook will now meet Jarrow St Bedes in the final on a date to be arranged.

"Our semi-final win buried the ghost of what happened two years ago. Now we are all keyed up for the final which for our present side is the culmination of three years of hard work," said Horn.

P W D L F A Pts

Bishop Auckland 7 6 1 0 33 10 19

Chilton YC 6 3 1 2 18 12 10

Crook Town 5 3 1 1 11 5 10

West Auckland 4 2 1 1 9 7 7

Ferryhill Ath 8 2 1 5 7 13 7

Barnard Castle 8 2 1 5 9 26 7

Esh Winning 6 2 0 4 8 20 6

Willington 6 1 2 3 8 9 5

A and C Kelly Gateshead Youth League

O three games went ahead in the five divisions of the A and C Kelly Gateshead Youth League and all fixtures at Under-12 and Under-15 level were victims of the weather.

In the Under-11 section, Redheugh defeated newcomers Quarrington Hill 5-0 when Lee Curry bagged a brace and others followed from Terry Galbraith, Ross Watson and David Meek.

At Under-13 level, Blaydon had the better of Stocksfield when they recorded a 9-2 win. Lee Morton rifled four goals, both Dale Burrell and Liam Bell scored twice and Craig Rook also hit the net. James Prince and Andrew O'Neil replied for Stocksfield.

In the Under-14 division, Blaydon emulated the Under-13s with a 7-1 success at home to Wylam when Owen Fox took man-of-the-match honours scoring a hat-trick. Mark Waugh, Shaun Lockey, Jonathan Wilson and Lee Stoneman were also on target with Adrian Sutcliffe Wylam's only marksman.

l All games in the Hetton Youth League, Fairs Software Tyneside Junior League and the New County North Durham Youth League were postponed at the weekend because of frost and snow.

Hartburn Juniors

THE game against Spraire Lads last weekend in the second round of the cup was postponed because of a frozen pitch.

Hartburn are always looking for players from eight to 16 so if anyone is interested in joining the club they should contact Alan Brown on 01642 674550 for details.

The club is taking an Under-13 team for a Blackpool tournament at the beginning of June against teams from all over the country.

A club spokesman said: "We are seeking sponsorship for the cost of transport. We are funding most of the cost (in the region of £2000) ourselves but if any vehicle hire company in the region are available to help out then please contact Dave Cooper or Jeff Hurrell on 01642 895996 or 01642 896692 respectively."

And the club have their own web site at http://www.hartburnjuniors.com.

Thirsk Falcons Juniors

The Under-14s beat Bedale 12-2, thanks largely to Leckenby who scored seven times. The Thirsk team showed great teamwork and superior athleticism which saw Bedale off in a very one-sided match. Other Thirsk scorers were Holmes, Watson, Lax, Johnson and Houchen.

Thirsk's Under-11s' dreams of George Fawcett Cup success were dashed at the semi-final stage by Northallerton Corinthians after losing 1-0. But it took an extra time golden goal to separate the sides. On a frosty pitch, Thirsk settled well and in a first-half of few chances had the lion's share of possession. The second-half produced more in the way of goalmouth drama, with Falcons going close through Duncan Padget, Robbie Fountain and Dion Costick. Thirsk's defence was superb, restricting Corinthians to shots from distance, with man of the match Andrew Brough playing soundly. With three minutes to go, Falcons had a gilt-edged chance to score the crucial goal, when Tom James threaded through a pass to Fountain, whose shot was well saved by the keeper. It ran to Costick, whose shot went the wrong side of an upright. Extra time soon followed, and five minutes into the first period Falcons' hearts were broken when Fox's super shot for Corinthians gave Brough no chance which meant instant defeat, but a performance to be proud of.

The Under-12s survived a torrid first half of Bedale pressure and inept defending to run out 5-2 winners in an Eddie Lawson Cup semi-final. Bedale struck first after seven minutes with a superb finish following a defence-splitting pass. Thirsk struggled to find any rhythm and for long periods of the first-half were stretched in defence. However, they found an equaliser shortly before the interval when Barwick cut in from the right and fired a low shot into the corner of the net. In the second half Anthony Elders found his shooting boots, and helped himself to a four-goal feast. His first came five minutes into the second half, following good work from Beales. This was followed by a penalty, when Elders was brought down by the substitute goalkeeper when clear on goal. Elders completed his hat-trick to wrap the game up six minutes later with a 20 yard strike that left the goalkeeper stranded.

A succession of substitutions by the visitors failed to turn the game in their favour. In fact things quickly got worse when Elders pounced to rifle in his fourth, and turn what looked at half time to be an uphill task into a stroll.

Other results - Under-nines: Thirsk A 0, Bedale A 2; Thirsk A 2 (Newcombe 2), Bedale B 0; Thirsk B 4 (Moseley, Brown 2, Burrell), Bedale B 4; Thirsk B 0, Bedale A 6.

Coxhoe Boys

The Under-12 team will meet Hartlepool St Francis at Coxhoe Sports Centre tomorrow (kick-off 1pm)