Division Two

Teesside Ath 11 v 1 D'ton RA Res

Visitors Darlington RA Reserves were hoping to put the previous week's drubbing at Teesside Link behind them when they travelled to Redcar. Hosts Teesside Athletic found themselves behind on half an hour after fairly even play. Michael Bowes making it a scoring debut, and was also named man of the match for the Darlington side. Two minutes later Jamie Martin drew the game level at 1-1, and six minutes later Alex Hugill gave the Redcar side the lead for the first time. This was increased to 3-1 just before half time when Martin scored again. In the second half the home side went goal crazy, scoring a further eight goals without reply, Martin added a further four goals and took his tally to six for the match and 11 for the season, Hugill added a second and took his total to seven, substitute Andrew Tunnacliffe scored his first two goals of the season while Steve Dotchin wrapped up the scoring with his fourth of the season leaving Darlington Railway Athletic Reserves rooted to the bottom of the second division.

The First Division Championship race is wide open with up to the top seven or eight teams in with a chance, as they nearly all have each other to play.

Bedale FC still lead the first division having played 18 matches, but their lead has been cut to one point by second placed Thornaby who have played three less games.

Thornaby FC would seem to be riding their luck over the last couple of weeks, they have won their last three games by the odd score although if they win their games in hand they will have 47 points, but they have all the top six or seven teams to play.

Grangetown Boys Club trail the leaders by six points, but have two matches in hand, but have played one more than Thornaby.

Nunthorpe Athletic trail Bedale by nine points, but have three games in hand, they trail Thornaby by eight points, but have played the same number of matches.

Thornaby YC trail the leaders by ten points and have two games in hand, and all the teams above them to play, they trail second placed Thornaby by eight points, but have played a game more.

BEADS FC lost their first match in 11 League matches last week, that have seen them steadily move up the league.

Richmond Town are again maybe just a little bit too far of the chance of the title, and but for Nunthorpe and BEADS have all the other teams yet to play including local rivals Bedale, they have a match against second division SMG Redstripes in a preliminary round of the Raine Trophy.

Acklam Steelworks who got off to a dreadful start in the league are still in with a shout, they may not win the title, but with Grangetown, Nunthorpe and both Thornaby sides to play will have a big say in the race.

Fishburn Park may not be able to win the title but may yet have a say in who will, they have Acklam, Grangetown, Nunthorpe and Thornaby FC to play.

Whitby Town Reserves have picked up from a poor start and they have a number of the top teams to play, they play New Marske in a preliminary round of the Raine Trophy to play next week, with Stokesley waiting to play the winners the following week.

Carlin How were top of the League at one time, but a run of what they claim is bad luck has seen them linger in the bottom half of the table.

New Marske SC have clawed their way up from the bottom with some good results just lately and they were unfortunate to lose 3-2 to Thornaby last week, they still have Acklam, Bedale and Nunthorpe (home and away) to play, and will play Whitby Town reserves in the Raine Trophy next week.

Stokesley are another side to have pulled away from the bottom two, they were the first team in the first division to beat Thornaby but have played eighteen matches, the same number of games as the leaders. They will meet New Marske or Whitby Town Reserves in the first round of the Raine Trophy in two weeks time.

Wolviston Reserves have only played 12 matches up to date and are three points ahead of bottom club Mackinlay Park, they trail Stokesley by a point, but have six games in hand.

Mackinlay Park are rooted to the bottom of the League, and are signing a number of new players help them move up the League.