It was back to league action for Aycliffe Juniors after an Easter break for most teams.
Over the bank holiday weekend teams from the Under 8’s and 10’s played in the Easter Tournaments hosted by the Alun Armstrong Centre at Shildon. Teams reached the knock out stages but no trophies this time round.
The Under 7’s played a determined Darlington RA Locomotives team and they were under pressure throughout each game. The Aycliffe team played really well and gave 100% in both games. It was difficult to break down the opposing defence but goals were created for Kai however these were not enough to secure victory. It was a great team effort so well done to all the players.
The Under 8’s have a series of friendlies before their final league match in a few weeks time and this week they enjoyed two games against Spennymoor and the star men were Connor and Lucas. The Under 9’s completed their league programme last week in a derby game against Aycliffe Youth, with players away there were just the minimum required seven on show. They put in a good performance but lost out 3-0.
The Under 10’s Russell Foster League game was cancelled at the last minute so it was just the TJFA league team in action against Leven. This was always going to be a tight game against one of the only two sides to have beaten Aycliffe this year. It was Leven who started brightly and Tom made a great save early in the match to keep the score at 0-0. A goal was conceded though as reward for Leven’s bright start. Going a goal down seemed to push Aycliffe in to action and a minute later they were level as Lucas converted Harry’s cross. They then took the lead after Lucas held up Charlie’s pass and fed Zack who put a strong strike past the home keeper, half time and a 2-1 lead. Early in the second half Zack met Jake’s through ball and scored his second to open up a 3-1 lead. Further chances were created but the game ended with no further score and a well earnt 3-1 away win.
The Under 11’s saw a fine goal from Charlie Cayless but could not overcome a strong Saltburn team. The Under 12’s made the short trip to face Darlington Spraire Lads. They started brightly moving the ball well and creating chances. Ethan, James and Conlan were strong at the back with Nathan calm in goal. A lapse in concentration though saw Spraire take the lead and a chance to equalise was missed a little later so half time came with Aycliffe 1-0 down. Spraire had gained confidence and added two more goals before Jermaine, Harry and Zack all had attempts on goal saved. The game ended with a 4-0 loss, Nathan was man of the match for his calm decision making and fine saves in goal.
The Under 14’s hosted South Park Rangers and it was their dangerous front man who opened the scoring. The rest of the first half was scrappy but there was some great goal keeping from Stoker and the half time score remained 1-0. Aycliffe got on top in the second half and a superb Pattinson free kick saw the scores draw level. The game ended 1-1 and the man of the match was Billy Dunn with notable performances from Jayden Pattinson and also Stoker in goal.
The Under 18’s Black won at home against Thirsk Falcons this weekend which added to a great midweek victory over third placed Spraire Lads. They are keeping the pressure on the league leaders as they maintained their impressive record of only losing once in the league all season. The Under 18’s Red played away at Northallerton with only ten available players. They went down 9-4 after staging a second half fightback when 6-0 down at the break.
