FOOTBALL: Junior results round-up from the weekend

THIRSK

U16 Thirsk Falcons 2 Whinney Banks 5 County Cup Sponsored by DGap Solutions

Today’s game was against the reigning Division One champions Whinney Banks, a team that every team should aspire to emulate. They’ve battled through the Divisions to reach the top and with pretty much the same set of lads. 

The game kicked off end to end with some quality football from both sides. We had early opportunities through a Luke strike, over the cross bar and Lewis blocked by the keeper following a rebound from a clearance by the stopper.

However, it was the away team that showed the ruthless edge that we were missing. A ball played in from the right was dispatched by their striker to take the lead (0-1).

A second cross from the right found their man on the penalty spot, this time though a magnificent save from Sam diving low to his right saved the day. Two more strikes drifted wide of Sam's post before we managed a free kick and two corners that threatened them once again without hitting the target.

Drew joined the game on 25 minutes and promptly fired a shot into the keeper. Sam again pulled off a save that fell to a Whinney Banks player. He couldn’t find the angle he needed and shot into the side netting.

After Drew had another shot saved, Whinney Banks passed the ball to their midfield player who beat his marker to create himself space before unleashing a rocket beyond Sam who had no chance of keeping it out. 

They had one more header that was comfortably caught by Sam and we were 0-2 at half time.

Although we were behind we were still in the game.

Whinney Banks had simply been more clinical in front of goal and they were moving the ball around, without hesitation.

Unfortunately, we were getting caught on the ball and losing possession too often. 

Adam had a chance inside the box but couldn’t convert and an opposition free kick beat the cross bar and over.

Our worst nightmare and a third goal for Banks! This time a scramble in the box and it was 0-3. All over you would think? Not quite.

A change in formation and more emphasis on attacking brought us a real lifeline when we pulled two back. Drew to Adam who fed Lewis inside the area and he buried his effort low into the bottom left hand corner of the net (1-3).

Shortly after that Adam again involved, laying in Drew who struck an effort with too much pace for the Banks keeper and we were right back in it (2-3).

The excitement only lasted five minutes or so though until they brought another smart save out of Sam, only for their striker to follow in to double their lead again (2-4). Two minutes later it was all over when we gave the ball away in midfield and they scored number five (2-5). Too many times today we either held on to the ball too long or misplaced our passes when under pressure.

This was the difference in the sides. We had a couple more chances before the final whistle. Adam had a tame effort saved and Jack tried his luck after excellent work by Harvey. Neither effort resulted in a goal though and it finished (2-5).

U9 Blues v Kader FC (sponsored by HG1 Build Ltd.)

We keep riding our luck with the weather and this morning was no exception.

With the sun making it hard work for the keepers, it was always going to be tough against a team that we've had very close games with in the past and today proved to be the case. Very few chances either inside or outside the box as both teams closed down well, making it a scrappy game in places with a few exciting counter attacks using the wings.

With the teams level at half-time, we switched things around a little to try make it more attacking, but despite a lot of possession and numerous shots, it proved to be one of those mornings in front of goal.

Great movement off the ball from the boys today, and they were always pressuring and talking to each other, be it 'man on!', 'move back into position' or even a good old-fashioned 'pass!'.

We're having to remind them less about marking up, sticking to positions, and passing the ball which is great – we just need to work on getting that ball from one end to the other more.

U9 Golds v Spennithorne

A cold Saturday morning at TAC is where the Golds took on a strong Spennithorne side.

After the highs of our last performance it was back down to earth with a bump. The lads didn’t perform to their capabilities today – there was a lot of ball watching going on, we were rarely first to the ball and we didn’t help ourselves by sitting too deep in our own half, causing us more problems than we would have liked.

Still, there was some outstanding saves made by Jack in goal and when we did get the ball forward we looked good, and the boys are all still improving as players and a team.

Let’s dust ourselves off and come back for our next game and be back to our capabilities.

TRIMDON

U8s Darlington TSC White v  Trimdon  

U9s Trimdon Utd. 2 -  Billingham Juniors 0

U10s Bishop Auckland Aces 1 -  Trimdon United 1

U11s United Trimdon vs Marton FC White 

U11s Juniors Stokesley FC vs Trimdon 

U12s Trimdon Utd 0 -   Stockton West End 8

U13s Trimdon Utd 4 ( Hennessy 3,Shaw 1] -   South Park Rangers 4 MOM Trimdon Alfie McKinnon 

U15s Trimdon Utd 1 ( Todd Moore) -  Newton Aycliffe Youth Falcons 7

U10s Bishop Auckland Aces 1 -  Trimdon United 1

U10s played away to Bishop Auckland St Mary today.

From the start it was another very competitive game with some excellent passing and team play.

Trimdon took the lead after 15 min with an excellent pre worked corner finished off by Zack Smith. Trimdon continued to press for the reminder of the first half and again in the second but couldn't get that second goal. Bishop were always dangerous and scored a very good break away goal with about ten minutes to go.

Even after the goal Trimdon continued to attack creating many chances but just couldn't get that winning goal.

The game finished 1-1 with Charlie Ashcroft Man of the Match for the second week running for his all round play.