Darlington 21st Allstars

After a relatively lengthy lay-off for a number of Darlington 21st Allstars JFC teams, the better weather saw most back in action with varying degrees of success.

The Under-12s moved back to the top of the Division Two table with a magnificent 8-1 away win at Yarm Town Juniors, setting the scene nicely for next week's game with second-placed Hartburn Juniors. The scorers for Allstars were Robbie Gardner (2), Adain Hassan, Man of the Match Freddie Huscroft (2) (20 for the season) and a hat-trick from Jack Henderson (21 for the season).

The Under-11s had an away fixture against Newton Aycliffe Youth which was played as a home match. A tremendous display saw them 4-0 up by half-time but tiring legs meant that there were no second-half goals, save a consolation goal at the end for their opponents, the final score being 4-1. Man of the match Ross Kelly made it 18 for the season with a brace of goals and Louis Jarvie and Ian Smurthwaite got one each.

The Under-13s were at home to Nunthorpe Athletic who badly needed the points to stave off relegation. However, Allstars came out on top 2-0 with a determined display from the team and a goal in each half from 16-goal Nicky Fox. The team's solidity at the back was epitomised by the display of David Brown who was Man of the Match.

The Under-12 Colts lost 2-1 at home to Linthorpe Falcons in a tight top of the table game. A draw looked on the cards until the last five minutes when the visitors grabbed the winner. Allstars' goal came from Kiel Mellor with the Man of the Match award going to Callum Franklin.

The Under-15s were away to Stockton West End and lost 7-4. Allstars lost 'keeper Dave Hardisty after ten minutes due to injury but kept up the pressure to go in 1-1 at half-time. Unfortunately, Stockton then took control and ran out easy winners. Allstars' goals came from David Lunn and Man of the Match Andy Sutton who notched a hat-trick.

The Under-17s had their first game in the new Jubilee Cup competition and, after an extremely competent display in the first half against their higher division opponents and local rivals Spraire Lads, went into the break at 2-2 with goals from Tommy Wright and Paul Bailes. However, an early goal in the second half from the away side opened the floodgates and Allstars eventually lost 11-2. Man of the match was Matthew Cooper.

The Under-14s had another disappointing result, this time at home to Hartlepool Crest, losing 3-0 with a poor display not helped by a lack of effort from a small minority of players who let down their teammates. Man of the match was Kevin Taylor.

At seven-a-side level, in the Teesside Alliance, the Under-10s recorded their second successive victory with a 2-0 scoreline at home to Newton Aycliffe SC. Dean Bland and Jack Johns got the goals and Adam Scarr was man of the match. In a subsequent friendly, the Under-10s dominated and ran out 8-0 winners with a hat-trick from Man of the Match Jack Binks and one goal each from Billy Kilcran, Darren Swankie, Lee Gibbon, Johns and Kiel Malone (his first for the club).

Again at seven-a-side level, this time in the Richmondshire League, the Under-9s travelled to Thirsk and drew a hard-fought first game 0-0, with Adam Jackson man of the match. They then got into their stride to record a 7-0 victory, with James Humble making it 35 for the season with four goals, Liain Browne hitting a 40-yard screamer and Bradley Simpson and Phillip Wake notching the others. Man of the match was Jack Whittaker.

The Under-9 Colts were also at Thirsk and won the first game 2-1, thereby reaching 100 goals for the season. The two goals came courtesy of Andrew Wilson and Karl Hewitt's 36th of the season and Man of the match was William Whittaker. In the second game, the Colts lost 21, only their third defeat in 28 games. Liam Jarvie got the goal and Hewitt was man of the match