Spraire Lads Under-15 B maintained their unbeaten league record with a 1-0 win against Stokesley.

It was a very keenly contested game with scoring chances very much at a premium. Stokesley's strength in the tackle and their deployment of a sweeper made them very difficult to break down. Nevertheless, in the first-half Spraire's Lee Borrowdale hit the post and man of the match, Dale Elgie had a shot well saved. Ten minutes into the second half, Spraire score the all-important goal with a set-piece that Elgie finished-off from 20 yards.

Stokesley responded but Spraire generally restricted them to shooting from outside the area. At the other end, Elgie should have scored a second, but his shot crept agonisingly wide of the post from five yards.

Spraire Lads Under-11s went down 6-2 to unbeaten Hartlepool Crest in the League Challenge Cup. Despite going a goal down, Spraire were equal to the challenge in the first-half and equalised from a Jackson Kneeshaw free-kick. Crest went ahead again but back came Spraire to equalise again, this time with a cracking header from man of the match, Dale Johnston. After the break, the difference in strength between the two sides began to show as Crest took a firm grip, scoring another four goals in the process. Spraire's Chris Charlton deserves a mention for his excellent performance between the sticks.

New County North Durham Youth League

Beamish managed to stage one of the very few games played in the North East at the weekend when they met Winlaton in the Under-17 Division.

And they were rewarded for their efforts, winning for the first time this season.

Shaun Hodgson celebrated with a hat-trick and Andrew Taylor also found the net in a 4-3 victory. Shaun Lockey (2) and Michael Lowden replied for Winlaton.

Beamish though are still bottom of the table, three points behind Consett who also have four games in hand on their rivals.

All matches in the Durham County Council Lomax Enterprises Youth League, Rohm and Haas JOC Hetton Youth League, Fairs Software Tyneside Junior League and Apollo Doors League were postponed.

Darlington RA

After forming only 12 months ago Darlington RA Juniors need just two wins to guarantee promotion in their first season in the Teesside Alliance League.

Having used 21 players and 13 different scorers the RA epitomises what youth football is all about. No fewer than ten players from the squad have received man of the match awards, the lads have worked hard to prove what an excellent team they are becoming.