Teesside Junior Football Alliance

A huge vote of thanks to all the teams who managed to get their fixtures played last weekend, especially those who were able to finalise some of their earlier Cup rounds which reduces the number of “either/ors” in the live draw, which is now to be carried out on BBC Tees on Wednesday February 11.

We’ll start our look back at last weekend with a couple of League Cup matches which were being played in the Under 11 age group. A tremendous performance by Stockton Town “Yellows” who inflicted the first defeat of the season over 21st. Allstars “A” and moved into the semi-final draw following a 2-1 home win.

The goals for Stockton Town from Ryan Buckley and Joshua Shilham, with Matthew Wilson finding the target for the Allstars. Although both of these teams compete in the top flight at Under 11 this was still a bit of an upset bearing in mind their current League form and the 14 point gap between the two sides.

The second Under 11 quarter final did throw up a bit more of a Cup shock as second division and mid-table Seaton Carew “Lions” travelled down to Marton FC “Whites” from the top flight and won by three goals to one. A remarkable result for Seaton Carew, who will now also find themselves in those semi final draws next week, as goals from Lewis Hutton, who netted twice and a strike by Jack Wilson saw them safely through. The Marton FC “Whites” goal scored by Clarke Doughney.

In the Under 12 League Cup another somewhat surprising scoreline, as second division Darlington TSC managed to score the only goal of the game in their match played away at first division Richmond Town “Royals”. Richmond have only lost twice in the League at this stage and this was a tremendous result for the visitors. The all-important goal to send the Darlington TSC supporters home in buoyant mood was scored by Nathan Ward. A number of these youngsters from TSC will now gather around the radio in eager anticipation for next weeks live draw on BBC Tees.

Into the League now and two matches which were highlighted from last week, where we begin with the local derby across in Hartlepool played in the Under 12 sixth division, between Pools Youth and Seaton Carew “Tigers”. It was Pools Youth who guaranteed themselves the bragging rights this week as they ran out 3-0 winners. Two goals for Elliott Dawson, with the third from Owen Purvis maintained Pools Youth unbeaten League record and inflicted the first defeat of the season over their near neighbours and close rivals, Seaton Carew “Tigers” who stay top of the division, but they will now be keeping a close eye on the two or three teams just in behind, including Pools Youth, who will all feel they are within striking distance of League honours.

Finally from last Sunday, in the Under 15 fifth division, top of the table Stockton West End showed why they are one of the favourites to lift some form of silverware this season, as they ran out fairly comfortable 8-0 winners over Eaglescliffe Elementis who are one of the teams in the chasing pack. Elementis had no answer to the Stockton West End firepower though, as Haidar Asif bagged himself an excellent hat-trick and he was ably supported by strikes from Joe Draper, Leon Gentles, Bailey Ham, Harry Ward and Bradley Watts. A really close division this, with any of the teams right down to sixth place all within striking distance of the top two position.

So, with far more matches taking place than originally anticipated, 118 were played across all age groups and Competitions, they were just a few of the highlights from last weekend.

Well, again we keep our eyes firmly fixed on the weather as we move towards next weekend, with the vast majority of scheduled matches taking place in the League Competition. It was fairly easy to select matches this weekend, as many are very high profile games being played between a number of teams chasing Championships, or at least some form of end of season silverware.

We start with a great looking match in the Under 11 second division when second placed Greatham FC “B” play hosts to top of the table Richmond Town “A”. Greatham will know that anything but the three points in this match will almost certainly put Richmond, who are as yet unbeaten in the League, in the driving seat in terms of Championship honours. The two top goal-scoring teams go head to head in what should be a great little game, which is scheduled to kick-off around 11:00am

In the top flight in the Under 12 age group, Boro’ Rangers “Boys” welcome Ingleby Barwick based TIBS “A” across to their venue for another 11:00am kick off. These two sides are joint top of the division with TIBS leading only by virtue of goal difference, but Boro’ Rangers have an all-important game in hand and, if they manage to secure at least a point here, that could be a enough to make them favourites for some form of honours at the end of the season. TIBS boast the best attack in the division, with Boro’ Rangers showing the strongest defence. A match far too close to call the end result of, and it should be a great game for any neutral supporter.

In the Under 13 fourth division Cargo Fleet make the journey up to Durham to play Kirk Merrington. Cargo Fleet are only two points behind third placed Kirk Merrington, but they have played a game more, so they will know that anything but the three points in this game will not be enough. Two more very attack-minded sides, who have scored 100 goals between them, should make this a real treat for supporters on Sunday. Another 11:00am kick-off.

In the Under 14 fifth division, Hardwick Youth, who have the best defensive record so far in this division travel up to Shildon AFC, who boast the best attacking record. Level on points, although Hardwick have a vital game in hand, this is a must see match and has to be given my selection as the match of the weekend. Much depends on whether Hardwick can keep out the rampaging forwards of Shildon but, if they do, they may just secure the three points in a very tight-looking affair which will kick-off around 1:30pm.

Sitting at the top of the Under 15 third division, Darlington TSC welcome second placed South Park Rangers “Blue”, only two points behind them, to their venue knowing that with their visitors having a game in hand, the three points are absolutely crucial. Two sides with very similar records in both defence and attack makes this a mouth-watering prospect and they will both be aware that a couple of teams are sitting just a few points behind waiting to seize any chance to capitalise. Another match which should kick-off around 1:30pm.

Finally for this coming weekend, in the third division within our oldest age group at Under 18 level, a fantastic looking game in the third division as top of the table Guisborough Town welcome Whinney Banks FC up to Laurence Jackson School. Whinney Banks are as yet unbeaten and know the three points on Sunday will put them joint top alongside their hosts and they would also have two games in hand. Guisborough who are prolific in front of goal having netted 60 goals in just 10 League matches are sure to be up for the challenge in what could be one of the best games of the day. This final highlighted match should also be kicking-off around the 1:30pm mark.

So, hopefully we will get another relatively large amount of matches played during these very cold conditions as we look forward to some more great junior games out there this coming weekend.