THE Chester-le-Street Waldridge Park U8s were pipped at the post for the league title when they lost 2-0 to Easington Kestrels.

A hard fought top-of-the-table clash saw Waldridge lose out to two relatively soft goals. Despite solid midfield performances by Aaron Tones, Jonathan Maddison and Martin Woods, Waldridge could not release their strikers to score.

Full back MoM Lewis Adey weighed in with numerous well-timed tackles to help deny additional Kestrels goals.

In the second game of the day Waldridge could have been forgiven for letting the first result get to them. However, there was a hat-trick by MoM Andrew Lowes and two goals from Mark Bell and one by Matthew Addison to see off East Boldon Tigers.

This win conformed Waldridge Park as runners-up in the Russell Foster U8s Yellow League. Congratulations to the U8s squad for 16 wins, two draws, three defeats and a points total of 50 from 63.

The U12s were at home to Hollypark Rangers and were one up within 60 seconds when Mark Greener followed up a fumble by the opposition goalkeeper. Devon Phillips added a second to make it 2-0 at half time.

In the second half Phillips scored another two for his hat-trick, Chris Davison scored two, and centre-half Chris Jackson and right-back and MoM Richard Wilson scored one each for a 9-0 win.

The U13s entertained current leaders Durham County and played some good football in the first half against very strong opposition. County scored midway through the first half and then Stephen Wood had the ball in the net but it was controversially disallowed for offside.

The second half saw County score four goals in 15 minutes with the strong wind having a say in the flow of the game. MoM: Aaron White.

The U4s came out 4-3 winners in an open match once they had mastered Washington Juniors' offside trap. Washington took an early lead but Waldridge were soon back.

Captain for the day Dan Harris led by example, twice bursting through from midfield to beat the goalkeeper.

In the second half Harris again broke the Washington line but when brave goalkeeping kept his effort out, poacher Wayne Gough was on hand to score.

Washington pulled a goal back but Gough and Harris again combined on the break to give MoM Harris his hat-trick. Washington hit back one more time but Waldridge's all-round team effort saw out an entertaining game to take all three points.