Spraire Lasses Under-13s got back to winning ways with an emphatic 5-2 win against Norton & Stockton Ancients.

The score could have gone either way in the opening minutes as both teams battled to gain supremacy, but it was Spraire who got the advantage in the second minute when Spraire girl of the match Laura Gowling volleyed the ball to see it go into goal off a Norton defender. Norton came back with vengeance but were denied a goal by some excellent defending from the Spraire defence of Helen McTague, Laura Spence and Lauren Claxton.

Norton finally got their break just after half time with a superbly worked goal from Abi Marsden. Spraire re-gained the lead in the 34th minute with another strike from Laura Gowling. Striker Jordan Atkinson got her brace within ten minutes following some excellent midfield play from captain Rachel McKnight.

Norton were full of fighting spirit and grabbed their second with ten minutes left to play with a fine goal from Emily Wilson but Laura Gowling wrapped up the scoring for Spraire in the 55th minute following a neat through pass from Hannah Marshall. Laura Gowling deservedly took the Managers merit award for her contribution to the match.

Darlington Spraire Lasses Under-16s were at home to Rutherford and the first half started with the Spraire Lasses in excellent form creating wave after wave of attack but unable to find the finishing touch.

Against the run of play and with two shots on goal Rutherford took a 2-0 lead. Darlington responded with their first goal just before half time. A through ball from Brogan Prudhoe found Danni Shutt who at last found the back of the net.

Stacey Crang, in her debut game, spoiled any hint of attack and linking well with the forwards. Kathryn Clarke tested the Rutherford goalie with a few long range shots. The second of Darlington's goals came from a Claire Moses shot saved by the Rutherford keeper to be slotted in on the rebound by Danni Shutt.

Darlington's persistence paid off when another through ball from Brogan Prudhoe to Claire Moses who made no mistake to take the third goal.

With Darlington now in the lead and with ten minutes to go Rutherford lifted their game to produce a nail biting finish testing the Spraire defence and forcing some fine saves from goalkeeper Chloe Atkinson.

Spraire Lasses Under-10s have started up a new team to play in the Durham County Council Girls Mini Soccer League and Amy Marshall scored two first half goals while another from Gemma Humble made the final score 3-0 against Consett Badgers. Rebecca Millard starred for the Lasses. Other squad players: Claire Sheils, Nicola Hookway, Lucy White, Leah Allinson, Katie Watling, Stephanie McCabe, Gayle Wray, Laura Sweeney.

* Players 7-16 years old wishing to play for Spraire Lasses contact Linda and Dave Scott on (01325) 253581 for more details.