Norton secure tough victory

The standard of football from both sides was of a high degree. The fist half was only moments old when the away team broke through the Norton midfield with some good passing football. They ran into the solid Norton defence who once again this season stood firm which was to be repeated at both ends of the pitch with both teams making some lovely passing moves only to be cut-out by the respected defences. The first half swung on a penalty decision. The ball was played long into the box but the Riverside defence failed to deal with it. The defender was judged to have pushed the Norton striker Alex Nicholson by the well positioned referee. Dale Mulligan stepped up to slot the ball home 1-0 Norton. The second half took up where the first left off, with lots of passing and moving by both teams. Riverside were pressing hard to get the goal back, which would have come but for an outstanding performance from the Norton keeper Chris Edmonds along with Ritchie Peacock, Dale Mulligan, Stuart Mayle and Mattie Moore. Riverside's pressure eventually lead to them getting the equalising goal, once again from a penalty. The Referee judged that Norton Captain Dale Mulligan had fouled the attacker for which he got a caution, our first in four years. With the game level, Riverside gained in confidence and attacked the Norton goal, but as in the first half the Norton defence stood firm. This was to spur on Norton with Graham Wilson playing a pin point pass through the static Riverside defence to Anton Fisher to shoot across the goal and score 2-1 Norton. As Riverside pushed up looking to get back into the game, once again Graham Wilson sent Anton Fisher through to slot the ball past the Riverside keeper 3-1 Norton.

A competitive eagerly fought game in which St Aidens used their home advantage to take the game to Norton U13A's. Some early pressure led to a corner in which Norton could not clear their lines, St Aidens punished them by scoring an early goal. This seemed to have a calming effect on Norton who then turned controlled possession into a period of sustained pressure. A speculative shoot from the left hand side was fumbled by the keeper and Roberts was there to push the ball over the line. The second half continued in the same vain and Norton converted territorial advantage into a second goal when St Aidens failed to clear a corner. A succession of shoots was finally converted by Fraser. St Aidens finished strong but Norton's defence remained disciplined and tight. An enjoyable game played in the true spirit. Norton 1 St Aidens 2.

Norton U11's started the game brightly against Hartlepool with Jordan Baker very unlucky not to open the scoring after hitting the post following a good run. The team had to reshape following an injury to James Cass. Callum Hassan then scored the opening goal for Norton to make the score 1-0. Carl Robson scored the second with a good header following a great cross from Josh Sutcliffe to make the half time score 2-0. In the second half Hartlepool battled on and pulled a goal back with a good strike from Sweeney. Norton made the game safe however with 2 further goals from Carl Robson to complete his hat-trick. At the back Adam Nicholson gave a very good performance for Norton with Sweeney man of the match for Hartlepool.

Norton U16's opened the scoring against Leven with a goal from Jamie Heslop and had more of the chances in a competitive first half with Leo Preston going close on a couple of occasions. Norton added a second with a deflected shot from Shaun Taylor. Leven refused to give in however and forced Jamie Todd to make a couple of good saves in the second half. Leven's keeper also made a couple of fine saves before Norton sealed the game with a header from Shaun Taylor to make the final score Leven 0 - Norton 3.

Norton were the only U13B's side to reach the last 16 of the Durham Youth Cup, and their brave run came to an end at the hands of favourites Durham City Puma's, who top the Russell Foster U14 Premier Division. Puma's played some classy football and were worthy victors on the day, however Norton worked very hard to contain them. For 20 minutes Ancients lads held on at 0-0, and twice had the opportunity to take the lead - in all honesty though this was largely down to their goalkeeper Josh Edon, who seemed to have glue on his gloves. When Puma's made the breakthrough, they quickly established a four goal half time lead, but Ancients battled on. With ten minutes left the score was 0-6 -pretty good after an hour's football against this side - and then the unthinkable happened. Durham conceded their first goal in this year's Cup competition to a great strike from Cooky. Ancients tired at the end and three late goals followed, however the lads were praised by the Durham coach & parents for a good display of football which gave them a bigger test than some teams in their own age group have. Final Score Norton 1 Durham 9. Well done boys!

Norton U15B's came away with a well earned point against top of the table Seaton Carew. Seaton started the better team but once Norton settled, they took charge of this game. Danny Wray went close on a few occasions but for good defending by Seaton, he could have had a couple. Norton's defence was called upon in the second half on a couple of occasions, but nothing got passed Laverick, Fisher, Bunn and Robinson. This was a very good game to be in charge of and credit goes to both sets of boys for a very enjoyable match. Norton 0, Seaton Carew 0.

An excellent top of the table clash between Norton U10's and Ferryhill. Ferryhill started quickly, putting Norton under a lot of pressure. Liam Woodhouse, Tom Blakemore and Josh Peadon defended stoutly to keep them out. Ferryhill continued to push forward In the second half, but man of the match Griffiths kept out everything Ferryhill could throw at him. Ferryhill took the lead with an unlucky own goal but this spurred Norton on and with excellent moves by Daniel Chesser and Aiden Cattermole resulted in a cool finish from Lewis Wing to level the score. Norton brought on Michael Bond who went close late on but the game ended level at 1-1.

Spraire Lads started the better of the two teams and deservedly took the lead against Norton U10A's after only five minutes. This resulted in Norton playing some great football with 3 goals in five minutes by Nathan Mohun, Matthew Garbutt and Matthew Johnson who all scored after some great passing and movement from the whole Norton team. The second half was as good, with Spraire Lads on top who scored their 2nd goal with five minutes left. Men of the match for Norton were midfielder Matthew Simcox and goal keeper Thomas Johnson. Simcox had a great game and stopped a lot of Spraire Lad's attacks and Johnson was in great form with some brilliant and vital saves in the last minutes when he tipped the ball over the bar from a great shot from Spraire Lads which rounded off a battling performance from Norton. Final score Norton 3, Spraire Lads 2.

Durham County Council Enterprises Youth League

Because of the weather and cup commitments, only one game was played at the weekend with Trimdon United celebrating a 4-1 victory at home to Darlington College.

The College lads went ahead in the first period before Ben Williams levelled the score before the interval.

Lewis Robinson then made it 2-1 in Trimdon's favour following a corner and Mark Hindson followed up with a brace of goals to take the score to four. Darlington who missed a penalty when the score was 1-1 had Craig Tyler as Man of the Match while Lewis Robinson took the honour for Trimdon who recorded their fifth win of the season.

Trimdon United Juniors

TRIMDON enjoyed a mixed week on the football field as their junior sides recorded a record of won two, lost two and drew one.

The Under-10s fought out a 3-3 draw with Darlington Mount Pleasant - goals for Trimdon coming from Husband (2) and Jennings. The Under 11s fared worse suffering a hefty 7-3 defeat at the hands of Seaton Carew with goals from Ingold, Rowland and Smedley.

The Under-12s, however, were on the victory trail beating Darlington 21st All-Stars 3-1 with goals from Ward (2) and Jackson.

The Under-16s lost out 2-1 to Hartlepool Crest with Pugh scoring for Trimdon.

The best win of the week came from Trimdon Under-18s who beat Darlington College 4-1, with goals from Linden (2), Robinson and Williams.

Darlington Albion

The Under 10s were at home to Richmond Town Juniors at the weekend. Two goals from Jack Scarr and one from Luke Fawcett gave Albion a 3-0 lead at half time, further goals from Jack Peart and Callum Sweeten gave Albion a 5-1 win.

The previous weekend under 10's played two games away to Bedale. Game One Albion won 3-0 goal scorer J. Scarr (1), R. Lewis (2)

Game 2 Albion lost 2-1 goal scorer M. Bell.

The Under 14s entertained Coulby Newham in league action. The first half saw Albion start slowly, being put under pressure from Coulby, however a well worked corner from Albion saw them go in at half time 1 - 0 up with a goal from Jordan Raper.. The second half saw Albion step up the pace, with constant pressure on Coulby's goal, however failed to capitalise on chances. Coulby scored from a direct free kick, then again from an unlucky penalty making final score 2 - 1 to Coulby. Albion M.O.M. Luke Blaser.