Stars maintain winning run

This week they were at home to Stockton Town and played well in terrible conditions. The wind played a big part in this weekend's fixtures not allowing good football to be played. The Allstars fought hard to keep the ball under control and managed to stay ahead with some good tactical moves and tremendous finishing. The game ended in a 2-1 victory to the Allstars with Daniel Wheldon and Andrew Wilson scoring with Adam Jackson man of the match.

In the friendly, the Allstars kept up the pressure and drew the game 2-2 with scorers Adam Jackson and Michael Sweet and the man of the match was awarded to newly signed Thomas Oliver in his first game for the squad and club.

The Under-11s were away to Teesside Athletic in the league and were playing against the wind in the first half resulting in Teesside putting three goals away. With sand blowing across the pitch and gale force winds not allowing football to be played, the Under-11s fought hard to bring themselves back into the game scoring two late goals, but Teesside came away with the points, a 3-2 victory and this was the first defeat this season for the Under-11s. The squad still have a realistic chance of the league and Cup double.

Scorers were Bradley Dye and Luke Thompson.

The Under-12s were away to North Ormesby in the league for this weekend's fixture. The Allstars started brightly going in at half time with a 2-0 lead. Ormesby scored early in the second half and the Allstars replied making the score 3-1 to the Allstars with another Nick Stockport individual performance. Ormesby replied with two goals to bring the score line to a 3-3 draw. Ormesby were awarded a penalty and the Allstars' keeper made a tremendous save, but the penalty had to be re-taken and Ormesby took the lead. The Allstars never gave up and created chances only to be defeated by the cross-bar. A draw would have been a fairer result, but Ormesby came away with the points and a 4-3 victory. Scorers were Lee Gibbon, Jamie Kilday, Nick Stocktport and man of the match went to Matthew Carnelley.

The Under-13s were away to Norton and Stockton in the league battling hard against the terrible conditions. Although the Allstars created some good chances, the weather did not allow their normal touch football. Man of the match Liam Clarke had a great game in goal, but Norton still came away with the points and a 2-0 victory.

The Under-16s travelled to North Ormesby for their fixture. The Allstars were struggling with injuries and in order to field 11 men, played the squad out of position. The Allstars were without resident goalkeeper Marc Briggs but still managed to pull off a fantastic team performance. Ormesby came away with the points, but this was another example of the commitment shown by this squad. Dale Thomas scored and man of the match went to Daniel Hewitson who is normally a midfield player, but stand in keeper this week.

* The Darlington 21st Allstars are a well-established junior football club and are currently looking for a secretary to join and share in their successes.

The club is run by volunteers who have the commitment to drive the teams to success and reap the rewards associated with the club.

Allstars say prospective secretaries could be a parent, retired individual or someone studying in sports management.

As a responsible club all officials are expected to undergo child protection checks and these will be paid for by the club. Contact Paul Lodge on (01325) 484553.

Darlington Mount Pleasant Rangers

THE Under-13s, sponsored by King, Hope & Co, played away in the league against top of the table Richmond Town. Rangers could only field ten men but they all played their hearts out in a gusty fixture. Richmond Town tried to break down Rangers but could only manage spells. Richmond went on to win 4-0. Rangers man of the match award went to the whole team for an outstanding performance.

The Under-12s, sponsored by Magnet Ltd, played at home in the league against Redcar Town. Rangers started play against a strong wind but managed to contain Redcar. In the second half Rangers used the wind as an advantage and passed the ball with determination. They went on and won 4-2. Rangers scorers were Ayden Carrick (2), Joe Clare and Tom Page. Rangers man of the match was Ayden Carrick.

The Under-11s, sponsored by Direct Glass & Door Panels (Darlington), played at home in the league against New Marske Juniors. This was a close contest from the kick off with both teams battling for the points. Rangers battled well and passed the ball with precision, winning 6-1. Rangers scorers were David Woodward (2), Matty Abel (2), Ben Hastie and Ben Raine with man of the match being Tom Kelly.

The Under-10s, sponsored by MKM (Darlington), played at home in the league against Stockton Town Bedes. Rangers started strong and wanted the three points to remain as title contenders. The pressure paid off with a superb 1-0 win. Rangers scorers were Stephen Richardson and man of the match was Reece Hooper.

The Under-9s, sponsored by Mill VW (Faverdale), played away in the league against Cargo Fleet. Rangers dominated most of the game but the strong wind played a big part in this fixture. The game ended in a 2-2 and scorers for Rangers were Dale Thompson and man of the match Jim Wilson.

A friendly that followed saw Rangers draw 1-1 with Karl Hastie scoring. Rangers man of the match was Tom Mason.

The Under-8s, sponsored by Dutton Forshaw (Stockton), played at home in the league against North Ormesby. This game saw Rangers playing some nice passing football. Rangers went in at the interval a goal up but in the second period Ormesby came back to win 1-0. Rangers scorer was Scott McClean with Sam Guest named man of the match.

A friendly that followed saw a 0-0 draw and Joe Williamson named man of the match.

Darlington Spraire Lads

Spraire Lads Under-8s, sponsored by Astra Transport, failed to cope with the windy and cold conditions in their match against Cleveland Juniors.

Cleveland started the game with the wind at their backs and scored all of their six goals in the first-half, which saw all of the Spraire team pinned in their own half for most of this period. Spraire couldn't respond in the second-half as the cold conditions had settled in and heads were down. A disappointing day for the Lads, but captain Jonathan Dye was relentless in taking the game to Cleveland and fully deserved his man of the match award.

Although Spraire Lads Under-9s lost 6-1 against Newton Aycliffe, they can take heart from their performance in that they conceded 12 goals against this team the last time they met. Lee Varley scored the single Spraire goal, but the team should consider themselves unfortunate for not scoring further goals. Lee Clarke was awarded man of the match, but Jake Wood deserves a mention for some excellent goalkeeping.

Spraire Lads Under-10s made the most of the elements to edge a 1-0 win at Billingham Town. Spraire defended against the gale force wind in the first half and stout defending from Matty Bowers and Ryan Allinson kept Billingham at bay to go in 0-0 at half time. Spraire pushed forward in second half with Wilson Kneeshaw and Matty Plumb going close before a series of corners saw Zac Tervit whip that a Billingham defender turned into his own net. Spraire continued to attack but couldn't add to the score. In the friendly afterwards, Spraire came from being 2-0 down to win 3-2 with goals from Jack Binks and a brace from Aaron Silliker.

Spraire Lads Under-11s started very well against Stockton Town, with Jackson Kneeshaw putting the ball in the net three times in the opening minutes, but only one was allowed to stand. Stockton weathered the storm and managed to equalise before the break. Stockton continued to improve and scored another three goals, before Kneeshaw scored his second for Spraire to make the final score 4-2 to Stockton Town. James Hobson worked tremendously hard down the left and Ben Sanderson had a great game in the centre of defence, but both were pipped by Robert Gilmour for the man of the match award.

Spraire Lads Under-13s pulled-off a great 1-0 victory at second-placed Whitby Town. Despite having the wind advantage in the first-half, Spraire couldn't break the deadlock. After the interval, Spraire played the conditions perfectly and their confidence grew as the game progressed.

Eventually, Scott Hastie scored the vital goal. Once ahead, the whole Spraire team buckled down to protect the slender lead to take all three points. Dean Irvine worked his socks-off from beginning to end to take the man of the match award.

Spraire Lads Under-14s had an excellent 4-1 victory against Coulby Newham.

With the wind at their backs, Spraire took control with an early goal from Joe Clamp, closely followed by a Chris Tingate header, courtesy of Sam Wootten's excellent corner. Coulby Newham started to pull together and prevented any further goals in the first-half. Coulby Newham had the advantage of the wind after the interval and soon pulled a goal back.

But Spraire bounced back and Michael Barr scored a great goal following a run from the half way. There was a great return for Freddie Huscroft, who had been out for two months with a dislocated knee and has lost none of his skill. Ten minutes from time, Joe Clamp ended a goalmouth scramble to complete the scoring for Spraire.

Spraire Lads Under-15 B did a thoroughly professional job to win 4-1 at Stokesley and to go top of their Division in the bargain. Stokesley took an early lead after Tom Hind conceded a penalty. 'Keeper Jonathan Petch got his hand to the kick but just failed to keep it out. However, Spraire equalised almost immediately when 'Tubs' Chandler was alert to convert a loose ball in the box. Dale Elgie then put Spraire ahead with a great shot from the edge of the box. Lewis Raper then put man of the match Elgie through again to put Spraire 3-1 up at the break. After the break, Spraire had to defend resolutely against the wind. Tom Hind conceded a second penalty, but this time Petch dived to pull-off an excellent save at the foot of the post. This seemed to take the wind out Stokesley's sails as Spraire began to launch a series of counter-attacks, one of which was converted by 'Tubs' Chandler after being put through by Borrowdale.

Spraire Lads Under-15 C were disappointed to lose 5-1 at home to Thornaby-on-Tees A. Spraire's visitors took full adavantage of the strong wind to score five goals in the first-half, with Danny Caddick replying for Spraire. After the break worked hard but just couldn't get the break-through to unsettle the Thornaby's defence.

Darlington Albion

Albion Under-10s were away at Catterick Garrison. Kicking against the wind in the first half Albion were 3-0 down against Catterick A team. In the second half Jack Peart pulled a goal back and Albion were unlucky not to get a draw, hitting the bar twice in the final minutes. Against Catterick B Albion scored early in the game through Jack Scarr and held on to win the game 1-0.