Junior Football

The Under-9s won the Chester-Le-Street 2000 League this week with only three quarters of the programme completed.

Two wins and the first draw of the season clinched it for the Aycliffe lads. In the first game they played the Hawks gaining a 1-0 win with M Dinsley scoring. The second game saw the lads draw 1-1 with Ouston Wanderers thanks to a D Dixon strike.

To finish off the lads played Ouston again but this time scored six goals with the opposition replying just once. J Robinson, the leading scorer in the league, netted another three goals with D Dixon (2) and A Ross also netting.

Team manager Wayne thanked all the players for all the hard work they have put in to achieve the title and they now look forward to the Cups.

The Under-12s were once again on their travels for the third round league cup tie against one of the top teams in the league in Cleveland Juniors. An early goal from Cleveland spurred Newton Aycliffe on and a fine individual strike by Dean Hopps levelled the scores at half time.

A quick goal early in the second half, again from Hopps, rocked the home team who were surprised by Aycliffe's determination and quality passing game.

The home team equalised to take the game into extra time during which Aycliffe scored early on with a superb solo effort from Elliot Gardner, only for the home team to once again draw level. With two minutes remaining to go, with the managers and the crowd preparing for penalties, Aycliffe sealed victory. Agnew picked up a long ball by Borsberry before hitting a blistering shot over the keeper's head to secure their passage into the quarter finals with a 4-3 victory.

The manager could not award a one individual a man of the match accolade as it would take the focus off a superb team performance.

The Under-15s were drawn away to Nunthorpe Athleticwho are top of the first division but a good team performance took the Aycliffe lads into a 5-1 lead at half time, However, the home team completed a remarkable comeback to draw level at 5-5 at full time and extra time finished deadlocked at 6-6. But Aycliffe weren't to be denied a victory and won on penalties and now proceed into the quarter finals.

The man of the matches were B Ingle and S Donnally.

Spraire Lads

After the disappointment of their cup semi-final defeat by Hartlepool Premier the previous week, Spraire Under-8s were looking for revenge but couldn't find it as they lost 2-0.

Spraire started brightly, playing a controlled passing game with man of the match Rob Chambers and outstanding forward Jackson Kneeshaw both being thwarted by goalkeeper Matthew Stephenson.

James Bennett and Jon Stokell held firm in defence for Spraire Lads who were lucky to be held 0-0 at half time.

Kyle Morris and Andrew Loynes for Premier gave the Lads a lesson in how to finish despite tremendous tackling by Brian Todd while Chris Charlton in goal had a steady game while youngster Kerry Hedley, who is under seven, played well for Spraire.

An outstanding strike by Rachel McKnight was the difference for Spraire Lasses Under-10s against a young Spraire Lads Under-7s/U8s team in a hard fought friendly.

Jon Burgess made several excellent saves with star a performance from the hard working Matthew Plumb and Nic Armstrong.

Hard-tackling defenders Robert Gilmour and Nic Cullinan played well with Matthew Bowers and Ryan Allinson working hard.

Helen McTague along with twin Katie had superb games with good play by Jordan Atkinson, Laura Spence, Lauren Abel and defender Laurel Barr.

In an entertaining friendly game Spraire Lasses Under-10s got stuck in and played very well despite losing 3-2 against a strong boys team in Hartlepool Premier.

Premier scored first before a determined Jordan Atkinson scored a well-earned equaliser.

It had appeared Hartlepool lads did not take the Lasses seriously but determined tackling by Laurel Barr, Laura Spence and Lauren Abel quickly demonstrated they meant business.

Player of the match Rachel McKnight scored Spraire's second with a cracking shot before Premier went on to win by the odd goal in five, after which both teams were applauded off the field following a fine display.

The McTague twins Helen and Katie both had good games at goalkeeper and forward positions.

Girls wishing to play for Spraire Lasses should attend South Park Darlington on Saturdays between 9.30 and 11.30am or call manager, Dave Scott on (01325) 253581.

Yet again weather decimated the Spraire fixture list and for those that did play a mixture of cup action was on the menu.

At Under-14 level Spraire continued in the County Cup with a victory over Horden Boys, the final score being 4-1.

At Under-12 Spraire progressed to the next round of the League Cup with a 5-3 victory over Cargo Fleet in an excellent team performance. Craig Lavelle excelled with a well deserved hat-trick, the other two goals coming from Dale Elgie.

At the same age Group B team played a friendly against Billingham Wolves with Borrowdale putting Spraire into a two-goal lead.

Unfortunately, Spraire couldn't hold on to their lead and Billingham managed to level the score to make the game a 3-3 draw.

At Under-13 the A team progressed to the next round of the League Cup with a 3-0 victory over Guisborough with goals from Cheesman, McCain and Wilson.

The Dyamos at this age lost 6-0 to Riverside Rovers, despite the efforts of man of the match Harrison.

The Under-9s A team played away against Billingham Town Under-10s in a TJFA Cup tie and after a hard fought game won 1-0. Scorers for Spraire were Nathan Wilson and Spraire man of the match was Craig Swainston.

The Under-9s B team were at home, playing an Evening Gazette League game against Hartlepool Premier with both team played a good game.

Spraire's Matthew York hit the bar and David Johnston shot just wide before Premier came back at the end from the penalty spot ending the match tied at 1-1.

The Spraire scorer was Daniel McCue and Spraire man of the match was Paul Jefferson.

Darlington 21st All Stars

Week 13 of the club's season was unlucky for some as, not for the first time this season, waterlogged grounds meant postponements which added to a disjointed season.

Only four squads managed any football with the Under-12s travelling to Shildon Juniors to play their home tie in the Durham County Cup and the different surroundings did little to hinder their progress.

A 10-1 triumph was achieved in a keenly contested match which followed a strong start to take control, with the lads showing cool heads and cool finishing beyond their years.

Kyle Swankie made it 13 for the season with four goals, Thomas Shann grabbed a hat-trick and the other goals came from Matthew Sutton, Jonathan Vinton and man of the match Dale Sheridan.

The Third Division Under-11s travelled to second-placed Kader FC of the First Division in the Teesside Alliance Cup and produced a marvellous performance with the result being in doubt right up to the final whistle

With the score 0-0 at half-time, two goals from Kader appeared to end the tie but Allstars came back strongly with a brilliant left-foot volley from Freddie Huscroft however, Allstars could not score an equaliser. Robbie Gardner was man of the match.

The Under-13s were at First Division high-flyers Marton FC in the Teesside Alliance League Cup and disappointingly came back soundly defeated 8-3. Daniel Hewitson scored a brace of goals and Billy Johns got the other while man of the match was goalkeeper Marc Briggs.

At seven-a-side level in the Richmondshire League, the Under-10 Colts had a difficult trip to Catterick AWS, the A team drawing their only game 0-0 with Ryan Ford man of the match. The B team lost 5-0, with the man of the match being Isam Mohamed.

In a friendly combined match, the Colts lost 6-0, man of the match being James Dunn