Darlington Mount Pleasant Rangers

MKM (Darlington), a local builders merchants, have sponsored Mount Pleasant Rangers with a full strip for its Under-11 A team. Darlington Mayor, Coun Doris Jones, was on hand to officially launch the strip and MKM's director, Chris Barnes, said: "As a company based in the town we are proud to support a local team like Mount Pleasant Rangers."

The lads in the team (picture right) are all very pleased and say a big thank you to MKM for their kind donation.

At the weekend the Under-11s A team played a league game at local rivals Allstar Colts. On a very heavy pitch Rangers managed to score the only two goals of the game with some nice passing skills and did very well considering the conditions under foot. Rangers scorers were David Johnston and man of the match, Ben Turnbull.

The B team played at home in the league against Brompton and after a thrilling end to end game only managed a 3-3 draw. Rangers scorers were Tom Page, Adam Swan and Liam 'Scholsey' Serginson. Rangers man of the match was Neil Mallaby.

The Under-12s A team played at Norton & Stockton in the County Cup and after going down a goal came back to win convincingly 4-1. Rangers scorers were Sean Lowe (2), Mikey Smith and Scott Hastie. Rangers man of the match was Grant Hickman. The B team did not have a game due to cup ties.

The Under-10s played their first ever game together in a friendly against Allstar Colts. For a newly formed team Rangers played some excellent passing football. The team gelled together with ease and some superb football led to a fantastic run down the left wing from girl of the match Ashleigh Leighton, who placed a brilliant shot into the back of the net. Final score from a thrilling first game was 1-0 to Rangers.

The second friendly that followed was just as good with Rangers winning again, this time 3-0. Rangers scorers were Johnny Hart, Andrew Knox and man of the match Andy Page.

The Under-9s, sponsoredv by SG Petch, played in the league at home to Spraire Lads and were beaten by only two goals. Final score was 2-0 to Spraire. Rangers man of the match, Beej Turnbull. In the friendly that followed Spraire could only manage one goal against a Rangers team gaining in strength with every game. Rangers man of the match was Steven Richardson.

The Under-8s played at home in the league against Brinkburn Juniors and unfortunately got beat 7-1. Rangers scorer was Stephen Richardson. Rangers man of the match Karl Hastie. In the friendly that followed Brinkburn won 2-0. Stephen Richardson was Rangers man of the match.

Darlington Albion

Albion Under-12s played away to Chester-le-Street Riverside in the Durham County Cup and after an outstanding performance went through to next round with a 3-1 Victory. Albion scorers Phil Caley (2) and Jonathan Weeks.

The Under-13s played at home against Great Ayton and after an outstanding team performance Albion came away with an 11-0 win. Albion scorers Jordan Wood (2), Elvin Webley (4), Dean Nimmo, Kevin Sung (20, Liam Allen (2). Man of the match was Luke Ward.

The Under-14s entertained Bedale at home. Albion started well gaining their first goal in ten minutes by man of the match. Lee Mckie, but eventually poor tackling and lack of commitment overall proved Bedale was the stronger side, allowing Bedale to end the match 5-1 victors.

The Albion Under-15s starting line up was Pritchard in goal, Luke, Hurst, Johnson and Dixon in defence, Brooker, Brown, Bentley and Langley in midfield with Hodges and Kirby upfront. The first half saw Albion's best performance of the season. They had some very good chances early on, as did Town but it was Albion who should, on two occasions, have taken the lead. A good freekick from Hodges went wide as did a good effort from Liam Brown before Town took the lead. A few minutes after this Albion could have scored, but Hodges missed an open goal and hit the side netting and three minutes before half time, Jake Kirby scored a wonderful curling shot to make it 1-1. Teasdale came on for Bentley in second half. Albion's performance deteriorated, with poor challenges and defending resulting in Albion losing 8-1. Man of the match for Albion was Jason Pritchard who made some outstanding saves in first half and was not at fault for any of the second half goals.

Albion Under-16s were away to Bedale and in a game that was played on a poor pitch, Albion's mistakes proved their downfall. Three defensive errors in an otherwise close and even match allowed Bedale the chance to win 3-0. Albion man of the match was Chris Mwaura.

Darlington Spraire Lads and Lasses

This week the Under-10 Spraire team secured a well deserved 5-0 victory over Stockton West End. In a magnificent display by all the team the goals came from Bradley Dye (3), Dale Johnston and sub Ben Bradely. Special praise goes to defender Wade Gilbert and keeper Chris Charlton man of the match was Jackson Kneeshaw.

The Under-15 B team played Coulby Newham winning 8-3 in another excellent team performance the goals came from Fawcett, Webb, Wright and five from Oliver. At the same age despite leading twice the A team lost 4-2 both goals coming from Healey.

In the county cup Spraire at Under-14 were drawn against Russell Foster league leaders Boldon in a close game Spraire went down 1-0 man of the match was Craig Lavelle.

In another close game Spraire, at Under-16 lost 2-1 against Stockton West End the Spraire goal coming from Duffy.

Spraire Lasses also played Stockton West End, at Under-12, they won 11-3 goals coming from Laura Gowling (5), Jordan Atkinson (2), Racheal McNight (2) Keeley Edwards and a first goal for Nicole Seal. Girl of the match went to Katie McTague with Joane Dinsdale having a great debut. The Under-11s girls also played Stockton West End winning, 8-3 with goals coming from Kirsty Lincoln (3), Jordan Atkinson (2) Grace Pattisonand Briony Tonge (2).

The Under-9s were at Mount Pleasant and came away with a hard fought 2-0 win with goals from James Bennett and man of the match Danny Stead. In the friendly, Spraire won 1-0 with Danny getting the only goal.

Spraire Lads Under-14 B produced an excellent all-round display to beat Tees Valley 4-0. Hind opened the scoring after ten minutes with a well-struck volley from a corner. Basra increased Spraire's lead ten minutes later with a spectacular curling shot from 20 yards before McBride made it 3-0 midway through the second half, finishing off 'Tubs' Chandler's pass,. 'Tubs' Chandler helped himself to a goal after going one-on-one with Tees Valley's 'keeper. Man of the match went to Sam Clarke for his commanding performance in the heart of the Spraire defence.

Darlingon GSYB

Playing at Norton Allstars, Darlington had all the early pressure with several easy chances going begging, but it was Norton who took the lead latching onto a short back pass. Grammar recovered from that shock to score three goals in quick succession. Matty Leadbeatter headed home a John McKie corner, Leon Henry smashed in a right foot drive and Sam Nattrass finished in style to make it 3-1 to Darlington at half time.

Norton pulled one back after the break, however Grammar made the game safe when Andrew Caldwell netted a brace to seal a 5-2 win. Luke Piper edged out Paul Alexander for man of the match.

Darlington 21st Allstars

The Under-13 Colts travelled to Richmond for a league match and encountered sticky, difficult conditions. The Allstars ignored the conditions and dominated the game, playing some fantastic attacking football resulting in a hat trick for Jack Ridley. The whole team gave 100 per cent in this spirited performance ending with a well-deserved 4-0 victory. Scorers were Jack Ridley (3), Andy Grey and man of the match was Kevin Ditchburn.

The Under-13s were at home to Leven in the league and struggled with only 12 players. In the first half the Allstars right back was injured leaving just 11 players to finish the match. Leven took the lead and were 2-0 up before the Allstars scored, making the half time score 2-1 to Leven. Just after half time, the Allstars converted a free kick with the score line 2-2. The Allstars went 3-2 up with a fantastic individual goal from Jack Henderson but Leven managed to steal a goal in the last five minutes. This was a good battling performance by the Allstars against last seasons League leaders. Scorers were Jamie Stokes, Jamie Hind and Jack Henderson while man of the match was Stuart Adams.

The Under-16s were hosts to Southbank in the league and entertained the spectators with a fine 2-1 victory. The Allstars went 1-0 up after Southbank's keeper could not hold a tremendous 30 yard indirect free kick from Paul Robertson and Darren Thompson lobbed the keeper and the Allstars took a 2-0 lead. Southbank pulled one back, but this was a well-deserved victory after a good all round team performance. Scorers were Paul Robertson and Darren Thompson with Andy Sutton man of the match.

The Under-15s were at home in the league to Oakdene Athletic. The Allstars played some fantastic football and an outstanding effort by the stand in goalkeeper kept the game even throughout. The Allstars were leading the game 3-2 until Oakdene scored a fortunate goal in the last seconds of the game with the final score line 3-3. Scorers were Adam Samms (2), Dale Thomas and man of the match was stand-in goalkeeper John Paul Swift.

The Under-14s travelled to Marton Hall Drive for the weekend's league match. The Allstars went a goal down early in the game, but Thomas Shann scored a brave goal just before half time, injuring himself in the process. In the second half, both teams worked hard with some fantasic end to end football and an excellent performance from the Allstars goalkeeper kept the score a 1-1 draw. Scorers were Thomas Shann and keeper, Daniel McLachlan, was man of the match.

The Under-12s were away to the City of Durham Reds in this weekend's Durham County Cup-tie. This was a fantastic well played game with a good spirited performance by both teams. The match swung from one end to the other and this was an advert for junior football with some excellent skills on display. The Allstars were winners with a 4-3 final score. Scorers were Ross Kelly, Daniel Groves, Stuart Bunting, Ross Burton and Adam Armstrong was man of the match.

The Under-10s were at home to Barnard Castle in the league and played some brilliant, entertaining football. This was a one-sided game with Allstars dominating the game, taking total control and earning a well-deserved 4-0 victory. Scorers were Daniel Thompson (2), Josh Phillips and Karl Hewitt with Jack Whittaker man of the match.

The Allstars continued their winning performance in the friendly winning 5-0. Goals from Shane Campbell, Daniel Thompson, Darren Hawes, Jonathon Stokell and an own goal. Mom Nick Armstrong.

The Under-9s continued their winning league performance with a 4-0 victory over Coulby Newham. The Allstars settled quickly and some excellent passes led to a fine attacking performance, taking the Allstars to the top of the league table. Scorers were Andrew Wilson (2), Liam 'Nobby' Jarvie and Bradley Simpson with Callum Roddy man of the match.

The Allstars won the friendly 2-0 with goals from Bradley Simpson and Liam 'Nobby' Jarvie and man of the match Adam Jackson.

The Under-15 Colts were away to Barnard Castle in this weekend's league fixture. In a competitive, hard fought game, in leg-sapping conditions, the Allstars were unlucky not to come away with at least a draw. Barnard Castle's goalkeeper had a lucky performance and the game ended in a 3-2 defeat. This was a well-spirited team performance by the Allstars in a hard physical, evenly matched contest. Scorers were Adam Yeadon, Craig Slade and Robert Bates was man of the match.

The Under-12 Colts travelled to Belmont to take on Durham County in the Durham Cup. The conditions were terrible and did not allow the teams to play their normal fast football. The first half was evenly matched with both teams trying hard on the heavy, muddy pitch. In the second half, Durham were the stronger team scoring six goals with the final score 6-0. The score does not give a true reflection of the game, which was hard fought match with determination from both teams. The Allstars gave 100 per cent and this is the end of a good cup run. Man of the match was Scott Colling.

The Under-11s were at home to Mount Pleasant Rangers and despite an outstanding performance by the Allstar's newcomer, Danny Spence, who was voted man of the match, the game ended in a 2-0 defeat.

The Under-11s travelled to Gateshead taking on Leam Lane in the Durham County Cup. The Allstars struggled against this older, stronger team and suffered an 11-1 defeat. The Allstars continued working and gave a well-spirited performance throughout. The score does not reflect the commitment and dedication shown by the squad. Dean Bland was the scorer and Jack Johns was man of the match.

The Under-8s were at home to Cleveland Juniors in the league. Although the Allstars worked hard they were against a stronger team and suffered a 6-1 defeat. The scorer was Niall Hanratty and Jonathon Burn was the man of the match. The Allstars also lost the friendly 6-1 with Cameron Hardy picking up the man of the match award and scoring the only goal.