The latest round up for 8th Nov 15

Very lucky with the weather, after quite a bit of rainfall during the midweek, which meant that all but a very small number of matches were played last weekend. This was en essential weekend for the League in terms of the progression of the Cup Competitions and some really exciting ties were played last weekend.

We start with a tremendous win for 21^st. Allstars “A” who were playing away at Marton FC “Blue” in the Under 12 League Cup third round. Albeit 21^st. Allstars “A” are having a terrific League season in the to flight this was never going to be an easy game against a very strong Marton side who are going really well in the third division and who had the slight advantage of being at home. It was Allstars who progressed to the next stage though as they ran out 4-0 winners as Jack Petty hit the target twice, with both Ciaran Dixon and Matthew Wilson also finding the back of the net.

An amazing end scoreline in the Under 13 League Cup second round which we highlighted last week, as in a thirteen goal affair Billingham Synthonia travelled across to Newton Aycliffe Youth “Falcons” and progressed to the next round with a sensational 8-5 win. The Newton Aycliffe goals scored by Cole Harrison, who hit a fine hat-trick with Jack Birbeck and Cameron Cook also on target for the home side, but Joe Charlton also helped himself to a hat-trick for the “Synners”, with two more goals from Luke Scott and further efforts from Adam Dalkin, Kieran Kane and Max Rowbotham. This must have been a great match for any neutral spectators last weekend.    

In what was described as the Cup tie of the weekend in last weeks Report it was Eaglescliffe Elementis “White” Under 14 who became one of the very first teams to move into the semi-final draw stage of the League Cup, following a well deserved 4-0 win over a good Northallerton Juniors side. Josh Jowers netted twice for Eaglescliffe and he was ably supported by Sam O’Gorman and Ethan Rigg who also managed to find the target. So, quite a lengthy wait until around February 2016 for the Eaglescliffe side to see who they will draw in the semi-final stage, with all of those exciting draws, across all age groups, to be carried out live on BBC Tees. 

In the Under 18 League Cup across at Sandy Flatts in Acklam, Kader FC were entertaining TIBS in the quarter final. With the TIBS defence in sensational form this season it always looked as though this would be a very close match and so it proved as first division Kader ran out narrow winners by two goals to one. This was a very good performance by a TIBS side, who play out of one division lower than their hosts, but they will now be concentrating on gaining some silverware in terms of the second division Championship. Kader now become another team who will be looking forward to 2016 and the semi-final draw for this Competition. The goal for TIBS last Sunday scored by Gavin Atma Row, with both Sam Horrocks and Haani Rahman scoring for Kader FC.

Finally from the Cup matches last weekend and this time in the Under 16 Challenge Cup, Marske United eased into the quarter final of that Competition after travelling to Norton & Stockton Ancients and winning by four goals to one. Marske will now meet Normanby United “Orange in the quarter final stage. The goal for Norton & Stockton from Connor Gant, with Zafer Adiguzel scoring a fine hat-trick for Marske United and Lewis Carney scoring their fourth.

So, as I mentioned earlier, a great weekend which saw both of our Cup Competitions stay on course for the season with the next round proper, with the exception of semi-finals ties, now scheduled for December 6^th.

The forthcoming weekend sees a return to League action where yet more top class games are in store. A handful of the highlighted matches are as follows:

We’ll start with the Under 12 third division match between the “Blue” team from Marton FC who are entertaining Redcar Newmarket across at Hall Drive in Acklam. Both sides have lost just the once this season with Redcar Newmarket scoring no fewer than fifteen times in their opening five games. This is anything but easy for them though and Marton, although winning a number of their games by just the odd goal, are an accomplished outfit. This game, which could see the points shared, should kick off around 11:00am.

From the Under 14 fifth division comes what I consider could be the game of the weekend as two sides, who have won all their League matches so far this season, meet up over in Darlington when the RA “Locomotives” play hosts to Great Ayton. The attack-minded forwards of Darlington RA who have already scored 41 goals in their first five matches come up against the resolute and capable defence of Great Ayton, which has seen them concede on average just one goal a game in their first four matches. Neither side will want to lose their enviable winning records on Sunday, although both might if the game ends up a draw which, on paper, is a distinct possibility. A great game in store for any neutral should kick-off around 1:30pm

A bit of a surprise last weekend as Spraire Lads went down to a 2-0 defeat at Seaton Carew in the Under 15 fourth division and they will not want to lose any further ground on the League leaders, Redcar Town “Royal”, who they host this coming weekend. Normally two very high-scoring teams might just make for an exciting end to end encounter, with Redcar Town possibly slight favourites. Another excellent looking match should kick-off around 1:30.  

Finally for this weekend, at Under 16 level, a great looking game in the fourth division between Ferryhill Town and Middleton Rangers. Ferryhill have won all but one of their five League matches whilst drawing the other, but Middleton Rangers have now won six out of six in the League and sit proudly at the top at this stage. Another two sides who both know where the back of the net is, but they are also very capable defensively. I wouldn’t like to guess the outcome of this game, it’s simply far too close to call but it should turn out to be a tremendous advert for the junior game at this level. Another 1:30pm kick-off.

So, yet more fascinating League action this coming weekend, with almost 340 matches scheduled to be played.

Chris Ord, League Secretary, Teesside Junior Football Alliance. 2015/2016