Stockton lose out in thriller

With the advantage of the wind Stockton Town found themselves on the attack in the early stages through some enterprising play from Conn and Good in midfield. Stockton almost took the lead when a long range free kick from Conn was pushed on to the post. Hardwick however were not happy to just defend and forced Daniels and Deighton into some good defensive work.

Stockton thought they had took the lead midway through the first half when the Hardwick keeper struggled to contain a stunning drive from Conn however the ball was adjudged to have not crossed the line. With Stockton attacking Hardwick were always dangerous on the counter and three times were denied by great goalkeeping from Stainsby when Hardwick looked to be ready to take the lead. On the stroke of half time Stockton got the goal they deserved when a fine corner from Conn was met by captain Jamie Good to lash into the top of the net.

With the wind against them Stockton had to defend for long spells in the second half as Hardwick pushed for an equaliser. Despite impressive Stockton defending, Hardwick got their equaliser midway through the second half. The again impressive Muir then had to be taken off with an injury. Despite this Stockton continued to defend bravely and did manage the occasional breakaway due to some good passing football. Hardwick scored the winner late in the game when a break from midfield was initially blocked only to fall at the attackers feet for a tidy finish into the corner.

Although Hardwick just shaded the game the slick passing of the first half and resolute defending in the second meant that Stockton were unfortunate not to take anything from a thrilling end-to-end cup tie.

The Under-11 league cup round three pitched second division Stockton Town against Cargo Fleet Juniors from the fourth division. Stockton Town started the brighter and were in front after only two minutes, Bradley Heads put in a Tom Crossen corner.

The second goal followed after 13 minutes again scored by the man of the match, Bradley Heads. Hectic goalmouth activity and blocked shots occurred before the ball finally hit the back of the net. The second half continued in the same vein as the first with Stockton having the majority of the play. On 33 minutes it was 3-0. An Adam Layfield shot was well saved by the Cargo Fleet keeper only for Conor Dyer to slot home the rebound.

Cargo Fleet got themselves back in the game with a controversial goal on 41 minutes. A through-ball was picked up by one of three players that Stockton felt were in an offside position. However, play continued and a cool finish reduced the deficit to 3-1. The game was put beyond doubt five minutes from time when Bobby Bailey headed another Tom Crossen corner into the top corner for a well deserved victory and passage into the fourth round.

Stockton Town Under-10s cruised into the third round of the League Cup as they crushed a spirited Seaton Carew side 4-0. The home side quickly established a lead as good passing in the midfield from Adam Flewker and Ben Thacker opened up the Seaton defence and sent Jamie Blyth clear to make it 1-0.

Stockton then scored a second as a fierce Flewker drive was deflected into the net by an unlucky Seaton defender. The Stockton defence was rarely being troubled but Jak Edwards and Lewis Archer were alert to any Seaton Carew attacks and held firm.

With only three minutes to half time Stockton scored their best goal of the game as man of the match Jamie Blyth raced down the right, beat two defenders and drew the goalkeeper before coolly passing to an unmarked Ben Thacker who beat Seaton goalkeeper Nathan Moore with a well placed shot into the net to make the half time score 3-0.

Seaton started the second half with the slight breeze at their backs and Callum Bland went close with a free kick before Stockton almost made it four as an Andrew McLaren shot hit the post, cannoned off goal keeper Moore and in the scramble Adam Flewker bravely tried to win the ball but was thwarted by a combination of the post and Moore. However Stockton then scored their fourth goal as Blyth again raced clear and beat the goalkeeper to score his second.

With nothing to lose Seaton committed men forward and in the last minute Dean Weldrake was upended in the box and was awarded a penalty but Stockton keeper Jack Cooper dived to his right and made a brilliant save.

Coxhoe Boys

At the weekend Coxhoe chalked-up yet another convincing win, although the win did see Under-15s concede only their second goal of the season.

But that solitary strike - an own goal - did nothing to spoil Coxhoe's day as, even though they struggled in the first half, Bobby Orton's side scored seven at the other end to triumph over Newbottle, Michael Owens grabbing a hat-trick.

Coxhoe generated more from midfield after the break as substitute scored twice while other scorers were Nathan Ward and Daniel Jones who had an outstanding match.

Before tiring Michael Roberts also played well as did Jamie Lawson and Liam Short while keeper, Tom Orton, pulled off three or four good saves, including two vital stops in the first half.

With Shane Gavin unavailable, Daniel Purvis filled in at centre-back alongside Ben Raine and also put in a good performance.

This Sunday Coxhoe are at Newton Hall, 10.30am kick-off at Framwellgate Moor Technical College.

Norton and Stockton Ancients

It was another well fought battle by Norton Under-8s who started brightly against Stokesley with a goal from Thomas Hill. Norton then sat back and Stokesley increased their pressure and scored a well deserved equaliser. It was end to end attacking football with both sides going close to scoring but Benjamin McHale put in a superb cross for Jordan Hogarth to score the winning goal for Norton. A great team performance, especially from Matthew Henry.

In a good cup tie match against Leven Athletic, Norton Under-9s took five minutes to settle into the game with Lewis Wing setting up the opening goal for David Roth. Norton continued to dominate with excellent work from Daniel Chesser and Tom Blakemore setting up a second for Roth. Jack Griffiths pulled off two excellent saves to keep Leven out. Joshua Peaden made the Leven keeper pull off an excellent save and from the resulting corner, Tom Blakemore scored with a bullet header. Patrick Nelson and Mathew Dixon came on for Norton and Roth sealed Norton's victory with a lovely header to complete his hat-trick and man of the match performance.

Norton Under-10 As started their cup game very strong with some great passing and numerous shots at goal. With only a couple of minutes left in the first half, a good run from Matthew Garbutt resulted in a goal for Norton. Norton were quiet in the second half until Nathan Mohun was brought down in the box resulting in Matthew Simcox scoring a well taken penalty. Fishburn scored late in the second half after a good save from Thomas Johnson dropped to the feet of a Fishburn player to tap home. Norton were unlucky not to score more goals and held on to a 2-1 win.

Norton Under-11s fell behind early on against Marton Hall Drive. Hassan equalised for Norton, and then Turner chipped the keeper from 30 yards. Marton scored to draw level. Hassan scored again. After the break, Hassan chipped the keeper to make it 4-2. Baker scored a great individual goal with Turner adding two more to complete his hat-trick. Marton pulled two goals back in the last five minutes. Final score Norton 7 Marton 4.

Norton Under-12's lost 3-2 to 21st Allstars. Allstars scored the first goal, closely followed by a great ball from Norton's Tom Bun. Allstars went ahead with a penalty, followed by another goal making the score 3-1. Norton managed to score another goal, but could not close the gap.

The Under-13 Bs made it four wins on the trot with a comprehensive 1-5 victory at Fishburn. Steve Atkinson put in a superb performance at the heart of Ancients defence alongside Captain Josh Simpson. Shaun Sanson converted to central midfield for the day and looked comfortable throughout. Centre forward Cooky made his Cup debut for Norton and made an instant impression with a stunning 30 yard free kick against his old team to put the visitors ahead. Good Fishburn pressure followed and Norton's keeper Josh Edon made two testing saves to keep the advantage with his team. Full back, Azza, up for a corner, reacted quickest in the Fishburn box to win the ball and stab it home to double Norton's lead. Cooky enjoyed adding two more to bag a first half hat-trick before the hard working Jon Stephenson hit a beauty from outside the area to bury Fishburn before the break.

Norton played out the second half with their foot off the pedal and Fishburn took advantage to claim a consolation strike, however they were relieved to see three more Cooky shots blaze over their bar.

Defeat for Norton Under-14s against first division Stockton Town in what was to be a close encounter Stockton Town edged the game 2-0. Norton, for their credit, battled all the way to the final whistle. Stockton went 1 up in the first half with a great run down the left by M Horner who crossed the ball for Ward to shoot home off the post. Norton defended well after that little lapse in concentration Dale Mulligan Ritchie Peacock, Joel Brennan and Jonathan Sutcliffe were solid in defence 1-0 at half time. Norton began the second half brightly passing the ball around and using the two wingers who were once again on top of there game. First division Stockton Town came back into the game with Danny Briscoe playing a major role in their midfield using his height and strength to good effect. A great performance from Chris Edmonds in the Norton goal kept Stockton out, however as Norton pushed forward, with Graham Wilson down the right side looking for the equaliser with only minutes left on the clock, Norton were left short at the back. A cross from the left-side found Danny Briscoe who headed the second goal. Final score 0-2. Good luck to Stockton Town In the next round.

Norton Under-15 Bs started this game brightly with the first goal coming from Karl Nugent early in the first half. Seaton Carew got one back through some slack defending by Norton. Norton then replied quickly through Tom Sharp, but again Seaton got one back just before half time. Norton came back out in the second half on a mission getting two goals through hat-trick hero Karl Nugent. Seaton managed to get one back but it was not good enough with Norton winning 4-3.

It was an entertaining cup tie between Norton Under-16s and Stockton Town played in very good spirit. Following stubborn resistance from a hard working and well organised Stockton Town side, Norton finally broke through with a fine goal from Steven Rudd shortly before half time. Norton picked up the tempo in the second half with further goals from Shaun Taylor (2), a fine hat trick from second half substitute Jamie Heslop on his Norton debut and a further goal from Damien Crammen. Stockton Town scored a consolation goal in the second half. Norton finished eventual winners by 7-1.

Richmond Town

Richmond Under-9s were away to TSC and in a thrilling first match lost only 1-0. They had several chances in what was a great team effort. In the other game they lost 3-0.

Richmond Under-10s were at home to Darlington Albion and continued their winning ways with a 2-0 win. In a first half of pressure from Richmond they finally broke through with a goal from Kevin Robinson just before half time. The second half was more even with Darlington Albion hitting the cross bar. David Clark scored the final goal towards the end. Another great performance by everyone. Goalie Robert Glackin keeping another clean sheet. In the second match it was end to end all through resulting in a 0-0 draw. Outstanding in defence for both matches was Stephen Orton who was man of the match this week.

Richmond Under-11s were away to Bedale. Both teams started well with end to end football but Bedale put Richmond defence under pressure and Richmond were two goals down by half time. Richmond pulled a goal back through a free kick from Ethan Stamp which was headed in by Chris Garside. Richmond continued the pressure but were unfortunate to concede a third goal late in the game. Final score 3-1 to Bedale. Man of match was Ethan Stamp.

Richmond Under-12s were away to Northallerton. In an even first half the goalkeepers were on top and the half finished 0-0. Within five minutes of the restart Richmond went ahead when Josh Slinger worked an opening down the left and his cross was headed home by Gavin Hill. Two minutes later Gavin Hill added another, then it was Northallerton's turn to attack, forcing goalie Luke Newton make two outstanding saves. Graeme Love scored Richmond's third leaving the final score 3-0 to Richmond. Man of match was Tim Jackson.

Richmond Under-14s were away to Nunthorpe YC. Richmond dominated the game in the first half coming in at half time with a 6-0 lead. Early in the second half Bryon Tack added a seventh and with this lead it gave Richmond a chance to give the subs a run out. Scorers were Tom Stanwick (4), Sam Pritchard (2) and Bryon Tack. Final score was 7-2.

Richmond Under-15s were at home to Wheatley Hill in the Teesside League Cup. Playing with only ten men they played well in the first half. The lack of a full team and no subs took its toll and the final score was 9-2 to Wheatley Hill