Junior round-up

The Under-12s continue their winning run. They travelled to Norton and Stockton in the league and came away with another victory.

The Allstars took their time to get going, but once they settled, played some good, tactical, entertaining football. The game ended with a well-deserved 4-0 victory. Scorers were Wayne Hall, man of the match Callum Tarren, Ross Burton and Ian Smurthwaite.

The Under-11s played away to Whinney Banks in this re-arranged home match. Lee Gibbon opened the scoring with a well-taken penalty after being fouled in the box. The Allstars dominated and when a long kick from Jack Binks fell to Darren Swankie he volleyed the ball from well outside the area into the net. In the second half Jack Johns scored a third goal coolly side-footing the ball into the net and Dale Dixon was rewarded by scoring the fourth crashing, unstoppable goal from outside the box. Whinney Banks scored a late goal, but this was another well-deserved victory with a good all-round team performance. Man of the match went to Darren Swankie.

The Under-10s were at home to Trimdon Juniors and went on a goal rampage, putting eight past the Trimdon keeper. The Allstars started with confidence and controlled the game with a strong midfield display and inch perfect passing. The game ended in an 8-2 Allstars victory. Scorers were Nick Armstrong, Daniel Thompson (3), Jack Whittaker (3) and man of the match was Josh Phillips.

The Allstars continued their winning run in the friendly winning by 3-1 with Cameron Dinny (2) and Jack Whittaker scoring. Cameron Dinny was man of the match who is the regular goalkeeper but played outfield in the friendly.

The Under-9s were at home to Newton Aycliffe Juniors where an evenly matched game ended in a 1-1 draw. The Allstars were losing 1-0 after some very entertaining end to end football, but the Allstars never let their heads drop and fought hard to end the game with both teams sharing the points. Scorers were Steven Husband and man of the match went to Adam Jackson.

The Allstars came into their own in the friendly and won the match convincingly with a 4-1 final score. Scorers were Bradley Simpson, Adam Jackson, Andrew Wilson and Daniel Wheldon also notched in only his second game for the club. Man of the match was William Whittaker.

The Under-10 Colts were away to Premier in the league and in difficult conditions managed to contain this unbeaten team for most of the game. The Allstars were unfortunate to concede two goals in the last five minutes of play, which did not reflect their 100 per cent team performance. Jordan Hanratty won man of the match.

The Under-8s were away to top-of-the-league, unbeaten, Redcar Juniors and were put under a lot of pressure in the first half, losing 5-0 at half time. The Allstars fought hard and contained this strong Redcar team in the second half, but conceded one more goal making the full time score a 6-0 defeat. The Allstars did not give up throughout the whole match and showed a true determination. Man of the match was Jonathon Burn.

In the friendly, the Allstars stepped up a gear and were unlucky to come away with no points, losing 2-1. The scorer was Cameron Hardy who also won man of the match.

Darlington Spraire

Lads and Lasses

Spraire Lads Under-14 B pulled out a top-drawer performance to come from a goal behind to beat Billingham Wanderers 4-1. Both teams did very well to produce a very good game of football on a very sticky and energy-sapping pitch. Billingham adapted to the conditions better in the early stages and took the lead after ten minutes when Perry Sanders' shot squirmed under the body of Jonathan Petch in the Spraire goal. Spraire worked their way back into the game and equalised before the break with an excellent goal from Tubs Chandler. In the second-half, Spraire took the game by the scruff of the neck and had three good chances to score before Tubs Chandler eventually put Spraire ahead with his second of the game. Spraire now had their tails up and Billingham were struggling to deal with the pace of the Spraire forward line and it was no surprise when Tubs Chandler weighed in with his third and fourth goals of the game. Needless to say, Tubs Chandler was awarded man of the match for his four-goal display, but the rest of the team also played well to a man.

The Under-9s travelled to high-flying Brinkburn who had only been beaten once this season. Spraire started the stronger, pushing Brinkburn back but only to find the Brinkburn defence in good form. Brinkburn then got into the game with goalkeeper, Jack Binks, keeping Spraire in the game then in the tenth minute a shot from Spraire rebounded out to James Bennett 20 yards out who hit an unstoppable shot into the top corner to take Spraire into half-time 1-0 up. The second half began with Spraire being pinned back but the defensive trio of Ryan Allinson, Matty Bowers and Bennett held firm to make the final score 1-0. The management must congratulate the lads on a hard fought victory.

In the friendly that followed Spraire won 2-0 with goals from Danny Stead and Zac Tervit to make it a good day for Spraire.

The girls team at Under-12 suffered a 4-1 defeat to Blyth Town in the Presidents Cup. Blyth ended worthy winners against reigning Cup holders Spraire Lasses.

Both teams created some excellent chances in the opening minutes but it was Blyth who opened the scoring with a well taken shot leaving Spraire keeper Katie McTague no chance of saving. Spraire player of the match, Jordan Atkinson, fed an excellent pass through to Laura Gowling in the 13th minute with the ball just going wide for a goal kick. Blyth went 2-0 up just before the end of the second quarter with another excellent break from midfield. Spraire managed to salvage a goal in the dying seconds of the quarter as Laura Gowling forced the ball home following two deflections to give some hope to the home side. Blyth started the third quarter as they finished the last, putting the Spraire defence of Tanya Shires and Laura Spence under constant pressure. Blyth got their reward in the 35th minute with a well taken goal from their number nine. Spraire made two changes, bringing on Lauren Claxton and Joanna Dinsdale with Lauren having an instant impact, blocking shots from the Blyth attack.

Helen McTague provided a superb cross to captain Rachel McKnight in the 37th minute only to see the ball go wide of goal. Blyth wrapped up the afternoon's work with another well-worked goal to take the score to a commanding 4-1. Spraire created some chances in the final minutes but were unable to break down a solid Blyth defence.

Darlington Mount Pleasant Rangers

THE Under-12s, sponsored by Weathertight Windows, A team played at Fishburn in the league. This was a good game of football with Rangers deserving the points. Rangers went down two goals in the first ten minutes but Grant Hickman struck a magnificant free kick over the wall and into the top corner of the net, Rangers eventually winning 4-3. Rangers scorers were Grant Hickman (2) and man of the match Gary Martin (2).

The B team also played away against top of the table Thirsk. Rangers wanted a victory and got just that with a well earned win, the score ending 3-2 to Rangers. Rangers scorers were Gary Martin (2) and Kev Coglan. Rangers man of the match Danny Roberts.

The Under-11s, sponsored by MKM (Darlington), A Team played at home against a Stockton West End team who could only field eight players. Rangers started well but Stockton gave as good as they got. It was not easy for Rangers and they had to work hard. Rangers began to find the net and started to dominate the game, the final score ending 11-0 to Rangers who remain at the top of the table. Rangers scorers were Nathan Wilson (3), Craig Swainston (3), Ben Turnbull (2), Johnny Bravo Blewitt (2) and Joe Clare. The man of the match award went to the whole of Stockton's team who gave an outstanding performance under extreme pressure with three men down.

The B team also played at home in the league against top of the table Bedale. Final score ended 3-0 to Bedale. Rangers man of the match was Adam Swan.

The Under-10s, sponsored by Mill VW (Faverdale), A team played at home in a friendly against Barnard Castle B. Rangers played some lovely passing football and held Barny to a well earned 1-1 draw. Rangers scorer was Matthew Able and man of the match was Ashleigh Leighton.

The B team played against the same team and won 1-0. Rangers scorer was Joshua Mellor and man of the match was Jake Thompson.

The Under-9s, sponsored by SG Petch, the A team played away against Riverside Rovers in the league. Rangers dominated play and passed the ball well. Rangers keeper, Beej Turnbull, pulled off an amazing penalty save to see Rangers win deservedly 3-1. Rangers scorers were Sean Allen (2) and Spencer Thornton with man of the match going to Ryan Rimmer.

The B team played a friendly against the same team and managed a well-deserved 1-1 draw. Rangers scorer was James Durham. Rangers man of the match was Natalie Rimmer.

The Under-8s A team played at home in the league against Hartburn Juniors. Hartburn came out the strongest team but Rangers battled well. Final score ended 6-1 to Hartburn. The Rangers scorer was Lee Hastie and man of the match went to Little Jimmy Wilson. A friendly that followed saw Hartburn win 2-0. Rangers man of the match was Stephen Richardson.