WILLINGTON Youth Under-13s arrived in Blackpool for their third successive year, and this time to defend the trophy they won last year.

This year they faced opposition from Consett's Blackfyne, Cramlington, Burradon from Northumberland, Leven from Yarm, and Blackpool before they were able to proceed to the knockout stage.

Their first opposition was Blackfyne.

A great through ball from Tang Van Ngujen found Luke Elms whose parried shot fell to Casey Wilden to put Willington 1-0 ahead. The defence stayed firm to put Willington's first three points of the tournament on the board.

The second game against Cramlington Willington knew would be a difficult fixture as Willington had beaten them on penalties in the semi finals last year. A goal graceful of winning any competition was disallowed for some unknown reason after Adam Riley had brilliantly headed a great passing move home as the game ended goalless.

Leven from Yarm were the final opposition of the day and this encounter also ended without any goals.

The final group game was against Burradon from Northumberland and this would decide if the boys would go into the final stages. After a goalless first half the game burst into life with a fine run into the box by Casey Wilden to get onto the end of a fine pass, but he was upended for the referee to give Willington a penalty, which was firmly despatched by Van Ngujen giving the keeper no chance to seal a 1-0 win.

Willington faced Blackpool for the second time in the semi-finals. With the score level at full-time the match went straight to penalties, with Tang Van Ngujen, Ashley Ross and Luke Elms all converting from the spot. Ryan Greaves kept out one of the Blackpool spot-kicks and Lewis Cooke was left to make sure Willington went through to the final for the second year running after a Blackpool player had missed from the spot.

The final was against Cramlington, who they had played the previous day and had a very good game against. This time only one goal separated the sides and a deserved goal it was for the team.

Patience had eventually paid off. Good movement in the box and from a resulting corner Jack Franks managed to lose his marker to put a good header past the keeper to bring the Blackpool Trophy back to Willington for the second year running.

Squad: Armstrong, Blackett, Nesbitt, Ward, Franks, Wilkinson, Elms, Van Ngujen, Turnbull, Brown, Ross, Cooke, Ward, Wilden, Dixon, Riley and Learey.

Billingham

THE Under-14s continue to impress as the season draws to a close and totally dominated their game against Marton Hall Drive and eventually hitting them for six.

Town had the perfect start when the impressive Stefan Atkinson delivered a wicked corner which nestled into the top corner.

Andy Rowney then put Hall Drive under pressure with a typically direct run into the box and the resulting penalty was coolly put away for Atkinson's second inside eight minutes.

Atkinson was now on fire and came close with a couple of long range efforts and the defence held firm as Hall Drive looked for a way back. Just before the break Andy Rowney pounced on a loose ball after a Dobson shot was saved for the third and the two combined again as Dobson teed up Rowney for number four.

In the second half, Town's passing game continued as a perfectly weighted through ball from Osmond split the defence and put Matthew Percy clear to slide home and the final goal followed a typically searching Rowney run and cross which saw Josh Harbron rise like a salmon and head powerfully home his first of the season.

Further chances came and went and the reshaped defence kept it comfortable at the back ensuring another clean sheet for Liam Graham.

Byers Green Youth

Hartlepool Chester Boys 1 Byers Green Youth 2

IN a game affected by a strong wind, Byers Green gained three valuable points in their push for promotion. C

christopher Quinn scored an early goal, with Byers Green playing against the strong wind. The defence held firm under pressure from Hartlepool and the wind to reach half-time still leading 1-0.

Playing with the wind in the second half it was Byers Green's turn to put the Hartlepool defence under pressure. An excellent strike from Luke Thompson gave Byers a 2-0 lead. Hartlepool scored with 10 minutes to go but Byers Green continued to threaten the Hartlepool goal. Man of the match was Anthony McDonald for his commanding performance at the heart of the defence.

Byers Green Under-8s Haze lost 2-0 to Lambton Lions in the Camera Clininc League. Byers Green showed determination and dedication but lady luck was not on their side. A lob just past the half way line notched the first goal over the top of the Byers goalkeeper's head in the first half. The second goal came not long after, however it was a fantastic team performance from Byers.

The second match ended in a 2-2 draw with Plains Farms Blues. In the first half Luke Bailey dribbled the full length of the pitch to cross to Aiden Cummings who hit the target. The second goal came from a good strike from Kieran Watson who smashed the back of the net. Pressure stepped up from Plains Farms Blues who never gave up and worked to secure two goals in the second half. Good performance from both teams.