Banks does the business

With only two wins from the 11-a-side teams and with the balance only being re-addressed by the 40+ goals scored by the two youngest teams at the club, this week wasn't the best for the club.

At 11-a-side level, the Under-13s were at home to Cleveland Juniors in the League and gained a well-deserved and welcome 2-0 victory. The three points came via a first-half goal from David Hill and a second-half conversion from Louis Franklin. Man of the Match was Richard Banks for an outstanding defensive display.

The Under-12 Colts were at home to Coulby Newham A and made it a superb four wins out of four with a 2-1 victory. Whilst the Colts made hard work of the game, they came out on top in the end with goals from Matthew Phillips and Lewis Henry. Kiel Mellor was man of the match.

The Under-17s amazingly reached the halfway point of their League season, travelling to Wolviston Court Rangers and failing to score for the fifth League game out of six, going down 2-0. Scoreless at half-time, Allstars' late first-half form deserted them in the second half and the home side finished well on top. Richard Dalton's strong defensive display earned him the man of the match award.

The Under-14s were in Durham County Cup action at home to Consett and went down 4-2 after being 2-1 up at one stage. An unfortunately necessary second-half reshuffle of the Allstars' team brought renewed efforts from the away side and three goals.

Darryl Roberts and Billy Johns got the Allstars' goals and Philip Grainger was man of the match.

The Under-14 Colts were also in Durham County Cup action away to Gateshead Redheugh. Playing with only nine players from the start, it was always going to be an uphill task and despite a spirited display, the Colts went down 10-0. Man of the match was Craig Slade.

The Under-15s were away at Seaton Carew Juniors in the League and, despite not being at full strength because of injuries and holidays, they competed well, only to lose 4-0. Man of the match was Iain Braithwaite.

The Under-11 Colts also travelled to Seaton Carew Juniors and in a good competitive game finally came unstuck against what was a much stronger side in reality. The final scoreline was 4-0 with Adam Macdonald man of the match.

After a storming season so far, the Under-12s trip to Hartburn Juniors proved particularly disappointing with a 3-1 defeat spoiling their excellent League record.

Allstars' only goal came via a Lee Mullis penalty and despite hitting the post, it proved to be a lone strike. Man of the match was Stuart Adams.

After a run of four victories, the Under-11s came back down to earth with a surprising 2-1 defeat at Hartlepool St Francis. In an extremely scrappy game, Ross Kelly got the goal and Ross Burton was man of the match.

At seven-a-side level, in the Richmondshire Youth League, the Under-9s and Under-9 Colts continued their respective seasons at Darlington Albion, netting 42 times without reply.

The Under-9s won 16-0 and 12-0 with five goals each for Bradley Simpson and Jack Whittaker, four each from James Humble and Josh Phillips and one each from Liam Brown, Adam Jackson, Liam Piley and Danny Thompson. Men of the matches were Humble and Simpson. The Under-9 Colts won 10-0 and 10-0 with Karl Hewitt and Liam Jarvie both netting seven times, Shane Campbell and Nick Crowe grabbing two each with Callum Roddy and Andrew Wilson completing the scoring. Men of the matches were Hewitt and Jarvie.

At the same level, in the Teesside Alliance, the Under-10s travelled to Fishburn Boys and came away with their fourth League draw of the season, 2-2. Lee Gibbon notched both goals in an excellent team performance and Jack Johns was man of the match. In a subsequent friendly, the Under-10s recorded their usual friendly win, 4-0, with goals from Jamie Kilday, Jack Binks, Dean Bland and Billy Kilcran, his first goal for the club and whose all-round enthusiasm earned him the man of the match award.

Again at seven-a-side level in the Alliance, the Under-10 Colts were at home to Seaton Carew Juniors and lost 1-0 in a game where they had all the chances. Man of the match was Connor Richings. In a subsequent friendly, the Colts won 3-0 with two goals from Sean Simpson and one from man of the match Andy Collins.

Darlington Spraire Lads

At Under-13 level Spraire continued there recent run of good form with a 3-0 victory over Hartburn Juniors in a good team performance. Richard Sheperdson was man of the match whilst the goals came from Michael Ward and Craig Lavelle.

At the same age Spraire Lasses (combined with Reyrolles Kestrels) also recorded a victory winning 5-0 against Forest Hall. A hat-trick by Brogan Prudhoe and two by Kathryn Clarke were enough to seal the victory, player of the match went to Danni Shutt.

At Under-14 the A and B team met in the Durham Cup in a good game where both teams played some good football the B team came out on top winning 3-1 goals for the B team came from Tarren and two for Jakeway the A team goal came from Healey.

The Under-15s continued there rise up the table building on there 3-2 victory last week against Nunthorpe where the scorers were Bowman and Gilroy plus one own goal. This week they defeated Kader 1-0, scorer was Lyons.

At Under-8 Spraire played top of the league Greatham thanks to a goal by man of the match Wilson Kneeshaw, and some outstanding defending by Kerry Hedley the score was 1-1.

At Under-10 Spraire played in a friendly against the Under-11 B team both A and B teams were involved for the Under-10s. In the first match Spraire Under-10 won 4-2 goals in the second game the Under-10s also won this time 5-2. Scorers for the Unde-10s being Owen Raper (2), Nicholas Petch, Craig Swainston (2), Andrew Parks, M. Gillander and Keron Alderson for the Under-11s Daniel Coop and Neil Burton scored.

At Under-11 Spraire suffered their first defeat of the season. Spraire, playing below there best, were held 0-0 at half time only for Davison to score two for Yarm in the second half to make the score 2-0 to Yarm. Man of the match went to Bicky.

Darlington Albion

Albion Under-9s, who are mainly around the seven year age group, played away to the Allstars in a series of round-robin matches, losing all four games.

The results were disappointing but they tried really hard and showed a dedication to the team and the game. Man of the match went to to goalkeepers in all games: Stuart Curtis and Dale Curtis.

The Under-12s played at home against Bedale and with Albion on top of the game in the first half, they failed to take their chances and the score was 0-0 at half time. The second half saw Albion pile on the pressure and the final result was 5-1 to Albion. Scorers were Adam Kendray, Dean Nimmo, Chris Binks, Liam Allen and Luke Stone and man of the match went to Elvin Webley.

Having no fixture, Albion Under-13s organised a friendly at Spraire. With three quarters of the first team on holiday, replacements put up a strong and committed performance with the final scoreline being 4-0 to Spraire. Man of the match was Michael Martin, utilising his fitness and prowess in midfield, whilst replacement keeper Callan Suttie had a great debut in goal.

The newly reformed Under-14s side had their first game at Durham City Boys, losing 13-1. The team showed character against a very strong unit, not giving in until the final whistle. Whilst only having trained together for two weeks prior to the game, great prospects should be forthcoming at the start of next season.

Ben Wright and Matthew Hawthornthwaite worked tirelessly, whilst man of the match Miles Haymer and captain and scorer John Nimmo, showed potential in midfield.

* Any player wishing to join Albion Under-14s should attend the Cummins site at 10am Saturday mornings for training.