Brompton Juniors: In their last match of the season Brompton Under-10 A faced a Redcar B side who had only conceded eight goals all season.

The game started at break neck pace with both sets of players showing high quality football from the word go. The Brompton midfield of Robert Maclean, Chris Holmes and Mark Watkinson showed a determination to win every ball and set up a number of attacks which failed to result in the much sought after goal. Redcar defended strongly and denied Thomas Armstrong, the Brompton striker, any success in front of goal. The attack was equally determined from Redcar and some solid defending from the Brompton pair of Jack Cullen and David Holmes kept them at bay whilst Joe Richards in goal made several fine saves which maintained Brompton's cleansheet. The first goal came from a Brompton corner which Redcar failed to clear and the ball was picked up on the edge of the area by Robert Maclean who scored with a stunning right foot shot into the bottom left hand corner of the goal. Just before the end of this excellent first half a corner from Redcar was volleyed from the far side of the Brompton box straight into the roof of their net giving the Brompton defence no chance to stop this equaliser. Half-time score was 1-1.

The second half continued with dramatic end to end play and for Brompton in particular Joe Richards made two stunning saves which continued to keep them in the match. With two minutes to go Redcar made a decisive substitution throwing on an extra attacker who within seconds had met a powerful corner and cleanly headed it into the Brompton net. Brompton had time only to mount one further attack which they narrowly failed to convert into that equalising goal so desperately needed. Full-time score was Brompton 1, Redcar 2.

Thirsk Falcons

On Tuesday Thirsk Falcons Under-12s played host to Richmond who kicked off but it was Thirsk that started the better.

It wasn't long before they found Joe Barwick with a through-ball and he slotted it past Richmond's keeper to take the lead. Thirsk pressed again and Liam Cook forced Richmond's keeper into making a great save.

Richmond replied but hit the side netting and although Thirsk had several more chances in the first half to increase their lead but Richmond's keeper denied them.

The second half saw Thirsk continue to attack Richmond's goal and it wasn't long before they put David Mosley through but it was a Richmond defender with a great tackle that got the ball clear. Richmond attacked again and fired the ball at Thirsk's goal but it hit the crossbar. Thirsk countered and made a great squarepass from Mosley to Barwick but the shot was just wide of the post.

Richmond make Thirsk's keeper work this half and some fine saves denied Richmond a goal. In the last seconds of the match Joe Barwick fired a shot at Richmond's goal which had the keeper at full stretch to tip it over the bar, a great shot and an equally great save.

Final score was 1-0 to Thirsk. Falcons' manager couldn't fault his team the forwards were quick and positive, the midfield was strong and the back four were excellent. The key to the success, said manager Ian Barwick, was the outstanding performance of centre back Matty Davison. Man of the match was Joe Barwick.

Riverside Chester-le-Street

Riverside Under-13s went down 4-2 to leaders Grindon. The performance was the old Riverside full of commitment, some good passing play and never giving up, even when four goals down. Phil Blacklock reduced the arrears with a 20-yard shot set up by Marck Broom who then drove home Kane Haig's corner. The whole team played well with Liam Thompson taking the man of the match award.

Spennymoor

Spennymoor Under-14s kept themselves in the promotion hunt in the Russell Foster Youth League Division One with their sixth win on the trot, this time away to fellow hopefuls Hilda Park.

An inept first half saw Spennymoor out-battled, out-thought and outplayed by an excellent team and Moors were extremely fortunate to find themselves only 2-0 down at half time.

However, whatever was in their half time refreshment seemed to revitalise the team and they produced a magnificent second half fightback. With 20 minutes remaining Todd Franey slotted the ball past the goalkeeper from an acute angle following his own good work down the left.

Five minutes later Craig Nichols glanced a near post header in from a corner. The comeback was complete when Franey made it 20 for the season with a 25-yard volley which went in off the post.

Well played to the whole squad for keeping the season alive.

Ferryhill Town Youth

THE Under-10s, sponsored by Lloyd's Brierley Hill, played midweek at home against Bishop Auckland St Mary's B and won 3-0. A poor start to the game meant a 0-0 score at half time but after the re-start Nathan Ball scored the first goal followed shortly after by David Gibson. Nathan then finished the game with his second strike. Man of the match went to Reece Woolly.

The friendly match was won 2-0. The first goal was a lovely chip over the keeper from Christopher Divine giving a 1-0 lead at half time. Shortly after the kick off Jonathan Bains blasted the ball in to the back of the net. The man of the match went to Kieran Harnett.

Ferryhill Under-10s were at home again at the weekend winning 4-1 against Newton Aycliffe. At half time Ferryhill were 3-0 up with two goals from Nathan Ball and one from David Gibson. Ball got his hat-trick in the second half. Aycliffe pulled a goal back before the final whistle. The man of the match went to Ball.

The friendly saw Ferryhill 1-0 down at half time. Callum West equalised just minutes after the start of the second half. Aycliffe then went ahead again. Their third came from a penalty. Ferryhill pulled back when Christoper Divine found the net. The final result was Ferryhill 2 Aycliffe 3 and man of the match was West.

Durham County Council Lomax Enterprises Youth League

Redheugh have emerged as champions at the end of the first season of the competition.

They have completed their fourth round and have 27 points from 12 games and will end at least two points better off than Willington.

Willington, five points adrift of the Reds with a game in hand and Darlington Spraire Lads, are battling it out for the runners-up position. Spraire Lads are two points adrift of Willington and have played the same number of matches.

At the bottom, Consett Badgers end without a point following proud attempt.

The League, which is run by Durham FA, are looking for new clubs for next season and if there is sufficient interest North and South Divisions will be organised.

The aim of the league is to promote junior football on Saturdays and to encourage sides, flexible kick off times can be arranged.

"We leave it to the two sides to decide when to begin. Some clubs prefer an 11am kick off, others like to start around about lunchtime while there are some who prefer the traditional Saturday afternoon kick off. By being flexible we hope to encourage more youngsters into the game," said John Topping who can be contacted on (0191) 3848653.