Chester-le-Street

Chester-le-Street's young side gave the East Durham women's football academy a good run in their Northern League Cup Final, but couldn't stop their opponents winning 4-1.

The Cestrians' cause was not helped when they quickly went two goals down to goals from Laura Stockdale. However, the side responded well and reduced the arrears through Laura Gibbon.

The second half produced two more goals for East Durham when Laura Stockdale and Amy O Brien struck, though the Cestrians felt hard done by when Gibbon had a penalty appeal turned down.

Although the game ended 4-1 to the newly-crowned league champions the signs are encouraging for the Cestrians who have saved their club this season.

The next day the team played in the Durham Cup and although Chester's Under-16s could have been forgiven for being tired, they took on American side Nova Scotia.

The Cestians were far stronger physically than their US opponents and goals from Natalie Gutteridge (2) and Laura Gibbon (2) saw a comfortable victory.

Game two for Chester-le-Street looked likely to be a tricky tie against Liverpool who took the lead only for Rachel Weightman to equalise. Again, Liverpool took the lead, but back came Chester with Natalie Gutteridge levelling. Chester then went ahead though Laura Gibbon, but this time it was Liverpool's turn to draw level. By now Chester-le-Street could have been forgiven for tiring, this being their third full game in 24 hours, but instead came a scoring burst with goals from Gibbon, Furness, Weightman, Gutteridge and a rare strike from Leanne Clark giving an 8-3 scoreline.

Sunday saw Chester-le-Street take on Leeds Utd in the Under-16 final.

A competitive game saw the Cestrians take a two-goal first half lead, Natalie Gutteridge getting on the end of a Rachel Furnesses free kick, then picking up a Rachel Weightman pass to beat the keeper.

In the second half Vikki Ryder latched onto Rae Taylor's free-kick to extend the lead. Laura Gibbon chased a lost cause before adding goal number four.

Vikki Ryder's volley made it 5-0 which sealed the first Durham Cup to come to Chester-le-Street who would like to thank guest players Julie Lowe, Danni Leigh Black and Vicky Roberts, all from Wardley, and their manager Peter Scullion for allowing them to play. This game was the Cestrians' fourth in 48 hours and all deserve a pat on the back. Seven of this team compete in the Women's Northern League.

* Chester-le-Street entertain East Durham again at Moor Park on Sunday (2pm) and everyone is invited to see women's football for themselves.