A much improved weekend where we managed to play the vast majority of matches scheduled. Probably just as well as the forthcoming weekend, if you can believe the weather forecast, is for copious amounts of snow which is likely to decimate a huge number of fixtures. 

We start our review of last weekend in the Under 12 third division where Wynyard Village became the first team to inflict a defeat over Stokesley FC, eventually running out 2-0 winners. A close fought match where both teams had their chances, but Michael Chilvers and Harry Crawshaw both took theirs for the home side and made this division wide open in the chase for League honours. Wynyard remain unbeaten at their home venue this season. 

In the Under 13 fourth division Darlington RA “Spitfires” suffered their first League game defeat when they paid a visit to Thirsk Falcons “Blues” and came away on the losing end of a 5-1 scoreline. Thirsk have now moved to within striking distance of the Championship, as they themselves have lost only the one game this season. The Darlington RA goal from Mitchel Wilson, but the five goals for Thirsk came from all over the place with Lewis Bleanch, Jack Crawford, Josh Halliday, Gabriel Humphries and Daniel Ingoldsby all on target.

  

In the fixture which I listed as the match of the weekend in last weeks Report, in the Under 14 second division, Polton Allstars kept up their impressive record of not having lost a single League match so far, when they travelled up to Hartlepool and defeated the strong and also previously unbeaten Pools Youth side by four goals to nil. The League title is Polton’s for the taking now as they move three points clear at the top. Their goals last weekend from Ethan Irwin, who scored twice, Logan McGregor and Stephen Wearne.

Darlington TSC went to the top of the Under 15 third division following a tremendous 4-1 home win against previously unbeaten Marton FC. This still looks like a really tight division with the top four sides, of which Marton is one, all remaining with a major chance of League honours. The goal for Marton last weekend from James Grabham, but a brilliant hat-trick from Mitchell Lowes and a further strike from Jason West to give TSC an excellent result against one of their main rivals.

Finally from last Sunday, in the Under 16 second division, another team to move to the top of the division were Newton Aycliffe Youth, as they ran out 3-2 winners in a five goal thriller across at Stockton Town. Both of the Stockton goals scored by Jack Lacy, but another player to net a tremendous hat-trick, Corey Denton, helped gain his side the vital three points. This is yet another division which is still wide open in terms of honours, with no fewer than six teams all in the hunt for silverware.

So that was it for a much improved weekend in terms of the number of fixtures played.

We keep our eyes firmly fixed on the weather as we get nearer to the forthcoming weekend and move to our last Cup games before we undertake the live semi-final draws on BBC Tees next month.

We start with a cracking local derby in the Under 12 sixth division across at Hartlepool, as Pools Youth welcome Seaton Carew “Tigers” to their venue, in a match which should kick-off around 11:00am. The only two unbeaten sides remaining in this division with Seaton top of the pile at present. An interesting match in prospect with the highest goal-scoring side, Seaton Carew who have scored 66 goals in twelve matches against the excellent defence of Pools Youth which has seen them concede only 9 goals in their eight games so far. A cracking match in prospect.

Two teams seeking honours in the Under 13 fifth division meet up across in East Cleveland, as top of the table Redcar Town “Whites” play hosts to third placed Kader FC “Juniors”. Not much to choose between these two sides on paper, indeed if Kader managed to win their two games in hand over the League leaders they would close to within three points, so lots to play for in this match which is also scheduled to kick-off around 11:00am. 

In the Under 15 fifth division Eaglescliffe Elementis make the short journey across to Stockton to play the West End side. Stockton West End are having a great season and sit top of the table, looking certainties to gain some form of silverware come the conclusion of the League playing season, but Elementis are amongst a number of closely matched teams in the chasing group and are not without a chance of paying a visit to the end of season League awards event, if they continue to pick up points in their remaining matches. Stockton West End may just gain the points here, but this will be far from easy in a great looking match for any neutral to pay a visit to. (1:30pm)

In the Under 16 second division Coulby Newham make the journey up to Newton Aycliffe Youth for another real top of the table encounter, where only two points cover leaders Newton Aycliffe and third placed Coulby Newham. Neither side will want to lose this game and a draw may be the most likely end result. Newton Aycliffe are the highest goal-scorers in this division, but equally Coulby have the best defence. Another great game in prospect which should also kick-off around 1:30pm 

Finally for this coming weekend, in the third division within our oldest age group at Under 18 level a fantastic looking game in the third division between Whinney Banks FC and Redcar Newmarket. Whinney Banks are as yet unbeaten and know the three points on Sunday will put them joint top alongside Guisborough Town. Likewise Redcar Newmarket have lost only once and will be looking for the three points to keep them in the race for either the title or some form League honours. Another huge game at this age level and one where no quarter is likely to be asked or given and a fairly close end result is predicted. This final highlighted match should also be kicking-off around the 1:30pm mark.

So, we hope the forecast for difficult weather conditions this weekend is wrong and again look forward to around 280 scheduled fixtures being played in the TJFA at the weekend. 

Submitted by Chris Ord, League Secretary, Teesside Junior Football Alliance