Spraire lose by odd goal

Spraire lads went in to the break one down but were keen not to be beaten easily.

Thirsk got a second goal and DSL responded with some excellent passing around the team.

Anthony pushed the ball forward and Robbie drove through Thirsk to strike home for DSL to keep the game alive. A Tussle in the Thirsk area in the dying minutes led to Thirsk being awarded a penalty which didn't trouble man of the match Will in goal for DSL. But it was Thirsk who ran out 2-1 winners.

Spraire Lads Under-7s, sponsored by Astra Transport, gave an excellent account of themselves against a very well organised Falcons side.

Louie in goal made some notable saves but it was Falcons who struck first with a neat move on their right, which ended up with an unstoppable shot low to the goalkeepers left. The second half Spraire came out with all guns blazing and deservedly got a well-worked goal converted by the lively Lewis.

Spraire Lads Under-9s took all three points when they beat local rivals Hartlepool St Francis 3-0. Spraire got their noses in front just before half-time when Bradley Middleton drilled in a free-kick, and Luke Boardman managed to get a flick on, to take the ball into the back of the net.

Spraire introduced striker Ryan Jones, who immediately got in on the act scoring well from close range. Spraire continued to pile on the pressure, and Ryan Jones got his second of the game to wrap up the points, when he latched onto a through ball, and finished well to make it 3-0 to Spraire Lads. Man of the match was Bradley Middleton.

Spraire Lads Under-10s, sponsored by EHL Electrical & Mechanical services, came away from Barnard Castle wondering how they didn't get a result.

After being thwarted on several occasions it was the same old story for Spraire and a minute before the final whistle the home side managed to turn in a winning goal despite Harry Herraghty's best efforts. Jack Adams was man of the match.

In the friendly Spraire came from behind twice but still went down 3-2. Richard Moore and Ryan Stainsby scored the goals for Spraire.

Spraire Lads Under-13s were at home to second-placed Billingham Town in which the first half found few chances and the teams went in level at 0-0.

Spraire made three substitutions at half-time and this seemed to make the difference when two of the subs combined to score the first goal. Danny Longstaff slipped a ball through the Billingham defence and Zac Tervit ran on to slot the ball past the out-rushing keeper.

Midway through the half Spraire scored their second when Matty Plumb found Danny Longstaff and he coolly lobbed the keeper to put Spraire 2-0 up.

With Spraire looking to see out the last five minutes slack marking let Billingham back into the game when they scored a well-taken goal from a tight angle.

Billingham piled on the pressure looking for an equaliser, and with more or less the last kick of the game, the Billingham forward unleashed a fierce shot that looked to be heading into the top corner, but Spraire goalie Ben Tervit flung himself full length to produce a match saving save to leave the final score 2-1 to Spraire.

Spraire Lads Under-14s B got off to a strong start against Trimdon with all players working together. Perseverance finally paid of as Russell scored the opening goal and was soon followed by a further goal from Grant to be followed on by a penalty kick from Jake.

In the second half new signing Nathan B beat four players to score the goal of the match.

Man of the match Russell finished off with his second goal to make it 5-0 to Spraire.

Mount Pleasant Rangers

THE Under-9s, sponsored by Auto Electrics (Teesside) Ltd, recorded their second consecutive win of the season in style at Barnard Castle.

After some early pressure from Barney, Mount Pleasant received a free-kick on the halfway line which was expertly dispatched into the back of the net by Sam Hutchinson. As the lads grew in confidence minutes later Sam Hutchinson added a second.

A third goal came from a cool turn and shot inside the box from Luke Taylor. Mitchell Little and Callum Brentley fought tirelessly in midfield and Bradley Tunstall pulled off a couple of fine saves in the closing stages.

Barney finally got a consolation goal in the dying minutes but it was to be Mount Pleasant's day. Man of the match was Sam Hutchinson.

In the friendly MPR went behind to a quick goal but Bradley Tunstall's persistence soon got them back on level terms. A scramble in the MPR box led to another Barney goal and they led 2-1 at half-time.

A late equaliser from sub Sam Hutchinson earned a deserved draw for MPR. Man of the match was Gary Bell.

MPR Under-10s A, sponsored by Burnside Carpets, played an away fixture at Norton & Stockton Ancients. After a goalless first half good control from MPR's Declan Brown and Cameron Callaghan allowed Lewis Timms to give the ball a final touch into the Norton goal.

Man of the match was Rangers captain James Bradshaw.

In the friendly the second half saw Rangers concede an early goal. MPR's strikers Ryan Groves, Cameron Callaghan and Cain James attacked Norton with pace but Norton caught MPR on with a swift counter attack and despite a forced save from goalkeeper James Bradshaw, the ball hit the net.

MPR's Cameron Callaghan and Ryan Groves moved the ball well but before Norton increased their lead. Man of the match was Lewis Timms. Captain was Aaron Heaps.

Mount Pleasant Rangers Under-10s B, sponsored by Noble Vehicle Hire, played Wolviston Juniors at home on Sunday.

Rangers conceded an early goal and shortly after this captain Harry Bowes made a great clearance off the line.

Five minutes into the second half Aaron Chapman made a break with a good run to the other end of the field and equalised. Man of the match was Aaron Chapman.

The friendly match saw a few holes in the MPR defence as Wolviston had a change of personnel and played quite a different game this time.

MPR were quickly 3-0 down. A good pass from Aaron Chapman saw Joseph Austin put the ball into the back of the net. Wolviston then scored another goal to make it 4-1.

Mount Pleasant Rangers Under-15s, sponsored by N T Whitfield Transport Ltd, played a home league match against top of the table Ferryhill Town.

After no goals in the first half Ferryhill caught Rangers cold and scored within a minute of the restart. Ferryhill then caught Rangers on the counter attack to go 2-0 up seconds after Rangers were denied a penalty. Rangers managed to pull a goal back when Dion Sung's right wing cross was met by the head of Yousif Ameen-Ali. Rangers man of the match was Chris Lupton.

Darlington RA Juniors

AFTER last weeks win at rivals Spraire Lads the RA juniors faced the same opposition at Brinkburn Road. Conditions were much better than last week which allowed both teams to play some good football.

RA's first real chance of the match came after eight minutes when a Liam Allen header produced a good save from Davidson in the Spraire goal, and from the resulting corner RA were ahead when Kiel Mellor headed home through a crowded goalmouth.

RA continued to threaten without increasing their lead and while Spraire looked dangerous on the break they rarely threatened the RA defence which was well organised by captain Kiel Mellor.

RA continued to pressure the Spraire defence in the second half and finally extended their lead when Jamie Hind's right foot shot beat the Spraire keeper.

Spraire improved as the half went on but they could find no way past RA keeper Jamie Miller and RA juniors finished comfortable 2-0 winners.

Three more points collected to end an important seven days in the juniors season and with other results going their way the juniors are now back in the title race.

Norton and Stockton Ancients

ANCIENTS Under-16s A took six points from the weeks two games by beating Kader 2-1 in a tight affair. Kader took the lead with a good finish from a low cross, but Norton scored through Oakley and O'Sullivan. Ancients 'keeper Rob Cotts pushed the outstanding Andy Bennett for man of the match.

NSA Under-8s travelled to Mount Pleasant for their last game of the season. The whole team worked hard and created plenty of chances with Adam Beaumont, Robert Lord and Matty Randall unlucky not to score. Norton's keeper Lewis McDonald displayed mature goalkeeping and Norton came away with a 2-0 win. Goals came from Isaac Jones and Josh Birtle.