Durham County

The Durham County Under-18s just failed to reach the semi-finals of the FA County Youth Cup, losing 2-1 after extra time in a hard-fought tie at Durham City's New Ferens Park ground against Middlesex.

Durham took a tenth-minute lead when Crook Town's Paul Freary shot home from 12 yards after being set-up by Bob Cooper.

Six minutes later, Cogden found the net for Durham but the effort was ruled out for offside. Durham were denied penalty claims when Cogden was tackled and Middlesex threatened just before half-time with Wood forcing Durham keeper Mark Bell of West Auckland to tip over the bar.

It was all Middlesex in the second-half and Bell had to make several saves to keep Durham's lead intact. Durham broke clear in the 78th minute but Sladen saved off his legs to deny West's Kevin Shoulder. Two minutes later Rick Pither equalised for Middlesex with a 12-yard drive.

Two minutes into the second-half of extra time, Middlesex broke away and Darren Whitlock's winner was allowed to stand despite strong claims for offside.

Durham: Mark Bell (West Auckland), Adam Seymour (Crook Town), Graham Irving (Birtley Town), Bobby Cooper (Herrington CW), James Oates (Birtley), Iain Curry (Crook), Chris Walsh (Dunston Federation), Gavin Cogden (Herrington), Paul Freary (Crook), Kevin Shoulder (West Auckland), Craig Nesbitt (Gateshead Redheugh BC). Substitutes: Graham Birks (Redheugh), Jason Singh (Redheugh), Nick Potter (Crook), Chris Douglas (Redheugh), Chris Anderson (Redheugh).

Fairs Software Tyneside Junior League

Just one game went ahead when the weather again played havoc with the programme.

Cleveland Hall managed to prepare their pitch for the visit to South Moor and it was the visiting side which celebrated with a 7-1 victory.

Paul Balmer bagged a brace of goals and others flowed from Craig Stacey, Kelvin Armstrong, Chris Ewart, Stephen Burdess and Lee Tweedie as the Moor made their midfield superiority count. Cleveland Hall's only goal came from Graham Smith.

All sides are in for a busy end to the season as a build up of fixtures reaches new proportions and presents League Secretary Chris Lowther and club administrators with a headache.

New County North Durham Youth League

Oone match was played on Sunday although a game went ahead last midweek to help, in a small degree, to overcome a fixture pile-up.

At the weekend, Stanley Sandhole and Hebburn Cleghorn shared the points in a 1-1 draw. Paul Bellamy netted for Sandhole and an own goal enabled Hebburn to return with a share of the spoils.

Hebburn visited Felling last week and were on the receiving end of a 6-1 defeat as Chris Simpson, Daniel Graham and Paul McDonald all scored twice. Hebburn's only goal was credited to Craig Gardner.

A and C Kelly Gateshead Youth League

All games in the five divisions of the League at the weekend were postponed because of snow and frost.

Hetton Youth League

Improving Lumley reached the semi-finals of the Horner Cup with an excellent performance at Ryhope, who have been one of the most successful sides in the League in recent seasons.

Lumley built on an early goal from Darren Henderson after just three minutes and thereafter there were chances for both teams before Henderson sealed his side's victory with his second goal in the 87th minute. One game was played in the Subsidiary Cup and Witton Gilbert edged Springwell by the odd goal in three. Andy Stewart gave the home side a first half advantage and although Dan Clarke netted for Springwell, Jeff Hepple struck with the winner for Witton Gilbert.

Coxhoe Boys

All games last weekend postponed but the Under-12s have a big game on Sunday, meeting Willington in the fifth round of the Russell Foster Youth League Cup at Coxhoe Sports Centre (2 pm).

Coxhoe presently run teams at Under-10 and Under-12 level but next season are planning to have sides at Under-11 and Under-nine.

Anyone interested in playing for any of the teams should contact Bobby Orton on 0191-377-0930.

Hartburn Juniors

The Under-13s hit back from a three-goal deficit and roared to a 5-3 success over Richmond. Hartburn defence had it's hands full but coped well against the opposition's tall centre forward while both sides created chances in the first half with the edge perhaps just going to Hartburn based on the number of chances missed. Richmond started the second half with all guns blazing and they scored within five minute of the restart. Three minutes later Richmond went further ahead when Hartburn's Matthew Atkinson handled the ball in the penalty area and the resultant spot-kick was converted. Hartburn heads hung even lower when two minutes later Richmond scored their third goal which should have signalled the final result going in Richmond's favour as they led 3-0.

But Hartburn turned the tide turned when a Richmond player was adjudged to have handled in the box, the resulting penalty converted by David Burns. The revival continued with an outstanding solo effort by David Burns giving the Richmond keeper no chance when the 20 yard shot flew into the roof of the net. The determination began to show on the faces and the attitude of the Hartburn players changed and they were justly rewarded when a superb through ball from David Lipthorpe set Nicky Pearson away on the left wing, the resulting cross allowing Robbie Cockin to volley home from six yards. The pressure continued to mount on Richmond's goal with the Hartburn midfield spreading play down the wings and in particular to Cockin who crossed a superb ball for Burns to head home Hartburn's fourth goal and complete a hat-trick.

With only two minutes remaining Cockin set off down the right wing and made the final score 5-3 with a low hard drive into the bottom left corner of the net. Hartburn's centre back Phil Jobling and Burns were awarded joint man of the match.

Byers Green

The Under-15s last two games have been epic affairs. At the weekend the Under-15s entertained Acre Rigg who are above Byers in the table. But Byers belied their league position and won 3-0. The previous week they played at home to South Shields Wanderers and it turned out to be a repeat of the fixture played at their opponents' ground earlier in the season. It was a very physical encounter but Byers came out on top 3-2 winners

Scorers, with one apiece in each game, were Sheldon Metcalfe, Arron Goundry and Anthony Ebdon.

Auckland and District Ebac Youth League

After six straight league wins leaders Bishop Auckland dropped their first points of the season in a 5-5 draw at home to Chilton YC. It was 2-2 at half time and in the second-half Bishops went 4-2 up with eight minutes to go. Chilton then scored three goals in five minutes to go 5-4 ahead before Bishops equalised in the last minute through Kevin Hamilton as he completed a hat-trick.

Chilton's man of the match Maurice Mason also netted a hat-trick. Tom McTague and Michael McGowan were also on target for Chilton. The other Auckland goals came from Warren Burn and Keith Emmerson (og).

Blackfyne

With the weather again claiming most games last weekend the younger lads at Blackfyne at least got into action on Saturday at Lyndehurst School, Gateshead, in the Apollo Doors Small-Sided Youth League.

At Under-8 level the lads played two games. In the first they played Low Fell Clarets and gained a 1-1 draw, Blackfyne's goal coming from Jack Malone, with Andrew Turnbull getting man of the match

In the second game they ran out 6-0 winners over Wardley with Andrew Turnbull, Sam Taylor and Benjamin Camsell getting four which was enough for him to get man of the match.

At Under-9 level Blackfyne played Cleveland Hall, ending up with a 1-1 draw with Paul Bell scoring and getting man of the match. Blackfyne Under-10s came up against second-placed Sandhole but despite dominating the game and Sandhole's goalkeeper being in blinding form, they went down 2-0 with both goals coming in the last minute. Man of the match for the Under-10s was Steven Shaw.