JUNIOR FOOTBALL: Weekend round-up

AYCLIFFE JUNIORS

The Aycliffe Juniors football season continued over another weekend with matches for the majority of the clubs teams.

The Under 6s played only their second ever friendly game at home against Leven. They had a great time, Denver and Jack scored two goals each in a fine team performance.

The Under 7s played two friendly games against Wynyard. The first was drawn 3-3 and the second saw a superb comeback from 3-0 down for them to win 4-3.

The Under 8s hosted Stockton Town ‘Blue’ and after going 3-0 down goals from Thomas and Oliver (2) levelled the scores at 3-3. Goals were then exchanged between the teams with Thomas scoring again. Stockton though went on to win the match 6-4. Oliver was named as the Aycliffe man of the match.

The Under 9s (pictured) played at Sunnydale against Seaton Carew Tigers it was a tough game against strong opposition in windy conditions. Man of the match Harrison made some great saves in the Aycliffe goal but at half time Seaton were 4-0 up. A goal each for Kai and Harry in the second half was not enough to prevent defeat.

The Under 10s ‘White’ were due to travel and play Stockton Town ‘Yellow’ however their opponents were struck down with a sickness bug so the match had to be cancelled.

The Under 10s ‘Black’ played away at Greatham FC and started well with Jake getting the first goal and then Joseph scoring from Noah's well placed corner. Man of the match Joseph completed his hatrick to make it 4-0 before Jake's second completed a 5-0 win. 

The Under 11s played at Great Ayton and they conceded two goals late in the first half. Man of the match Noah made a string of fine saves, including one from a penalty. Aycliffe pushed forward to get back in the game but conceded again. Thomas grabbed a consolation goal in this 3-1 defeat. 

The Under 12 TJFA league team hosted Golden Flatts and they maintained their unbeaten status with a great 8-0 win. Liam scored twice in the first fifteen minutes with both Charlie D and Charlie B then going on to add two goals each. Alex and Will scored later in the game to complete this resounding victory.

The Under 13s made the short trip to play Shildon and it turned out to be an exciting encounter. After going 1-0 down Clark held up play and set up Hume to score. Clark’s penalty made it 2-1 but Shildon equalised after half time. Another goal from man of the match Clark made it 3-2 but Shildon came back again to make the final score 3-3.

The Under 16s hosted top of the table Richmond Town and also drew 3-3. Dan’s free kick gave Aycliffe an early lead but Richmond equalised soon after. Stoker scored twice before half time, the first after a great ball from Pattinson. The score remained 3-1 with five minutes to go but the visitors earned a point with two late goals.

The Under 23s played a local derby at Sunnydale against Shildon and came away 5-4 winners.

THIRSK

U16 Thirsk Falcons 3 Fishburn Park 2
County Cup Round 1
Sponsored by DGAP Solutions

On an extremely windy but dry, Thirsk had been drawn against a familiar foe for the Blues, Fishburn Park.

A strong team that have been promoted into the league this year and always give a good account of themselves.

This week Thirsk found ourselves with six players out. Few squads could cope with that; however, Thirsk are blessed this year.

The game started in a flurry of action, the Falcons really in the ascendancy with Lewis almost on the end of two great opportunities to break the deadlock at the beginning.

Charlie on the left and Luke on the right were driving forward causing havoc.

Archie played a quality ball through to Drew who this week was playing upfront alongside the big man. He lunged at the ball but just put it wide this time, but it wasn’t all Falcons.

Fishburn were there to unsettle Thirsk and they had a couple of long shots.

Luke though was forced into a great clearance and a freekick found a Fishburn head only to be ruled offside.

While pushing forward on the left wing Thirsk lost possession, a ball over the top wasn’t cleared and their striker was in on goal, sliding the ball through Matty in goal to make it 1-0. T

his didn’t stifle Thirsk at all. They pushed on, Luke drawing a save from the keeper, Josh flashing an effort at goal that brought a fine save from the same keeper before some real quality from Drew fed Charlie who used up two lives scoring the leveller.

His first came back off the post, the second buried past the stopper 1-1.

Drew rounded the keeper only to be brought down by their defender, but the referee didn't give a penalty. 

One of the moves of the game came when Archie played in Luke who found Lewis who’s shot was parried by the keeper into Drew. He finished it to make it 2-1 at half-time.

Ben replaced Nathan and Harvey replaced Luke at half-time.

From kick off, a freekick was won, despatched, and finished by Fishburn within the blink of an eye.

Again, though Thirsk kept going, had more chances and eventually Harvey skipped past his marker, whipped in a cross that Drew had blocked, and Archie was there to finish with style for 3-2. 

It must be pointed out that the defence were quality. Matty P was putting out fires as usual, Adam reading the game well and Nathan and Dylan both looked at ease supporting both defence and attack.

Matty P pulled off a great block and Matty S a wonder-save, low to his left that saved the dreaded penalties.

Nathan returned to action for Charlie and Luke for Josh who had put a real shift in.

Dylan fired a speculative effort into the keeper that Drew just failed to get his head on and the game was over. 

U9 Clarets v Tibs
Sponsored by Thirsk Garden Centre & NTS

Two great performances in a row for Clarets now, and the boys are really coming together and playing as a team. Lots of layoffs and unselfish play in a match that ebbed and flowed and treated the spectators to a couple of free kicks, a penalty, some brilliant saves, strong tackling and lovely passing and moving.

Every Claret played their part and gave their best and the coaches can’t ask for more than that.

U9 Blues v Acklam FC
Sponsored by HG1 Build Ltd

Bright and breezy conditions greeted the U9 Blues at Acklam, but thankfully the rain stayed away.

Only six starters for the 7-a-side game due to a couple of badly timed sick bugs arriving. However, the boys who were there showed how to work as a team with great tackling and passing. But most of all working for each other with commitment meant that the extra man Acklam had for the duration of the first half did not matter.

Great performances from front to back and good touches in front of goal ensured a strong first half performance.

The second half started with Acklam coming back stronger, with Blues even going down to five players at one point due to a muscle injury.

However, a switch of goalkeeper with the injured outfield player going in nets meant Thirsk were back up to six again, with everyone putting in a shift in terms of working for each other and using all their energy.

It was backs to the wall stuff for the last 15 minutes, but the boys did themselves proud and the final whistle came to relief for all.

In the second game the Acklam supplied players to bolster the ranks to 7-a-side.

A great display followed from both teams, with some joking between the honorary Blues from their teammates in the Acklam ranks. It was a great display from the boys, and they were suitably rewarded for their hard work.

U11s Blue v Teesside Rangers
Sponsored by Holiday Inn Express Middlesboro 

An earlier start in blustery conditions at home.

Thirsk started the game on a positive note, creating chances with great passes between the players. They put Teesside rangers under pressure and are clearly dominating the first half.

The wind was playing in Thirks's favour. Teesside battle, trying to ease past the goalie, but he was having none of it.

The second half and the wind is against Thirsk and Teesside take advantage of the situation.

The team talk at half time clearly influenced the opposing team to get in on the action and to fight back.

They also created chances and great passes between each other.

They maintained possession of the ball for the majority but were just unfortunate that their chances on goal were saved by the Thirsk keeper.

Thirsk had the edge this week and powered through to the final whistle. 

Well done to the Seniors reserves on Saturday, a fantastic result against League leaders Bedale, leaves them within touching distance of the top with games in hand.

A convincing 2-0 victory, goals from Dan Buxton and Duffy. Max Boyne was given man of the match.