DARLINGTON SPRAIRE LADS 0 RA JUNIORS 1

RA juniors boss Ian Mellor warned his side that last Sundays game against Spraire lads would be much tougher than the last time the two sides met and so it proved to be. On a bitterly cold afternoon the two local rivals provided great entertainment for the big crowd, Spraire had some good early chances hitting the woodwork on one occasion, the RA also had chances with Craig Hancock and Jamie Stokes missing good chances. The RA scored the only goal of the game in the 26th minute, good work from Tom Watson saw Jack Ridley score his 20th goal of the season from close range.

In the second half both teams went close to scoring but RA keeper Shaun "the wall" Harrison earned the man of the match award with some outstanding saves. The RA finished the game stronger but could not add a second despite chances from Ridley and Watson. The RA juniors are more than happy to have not conceded a goal in both games against Spraire this season.

MATCH RATINGS

S HARRISON 10

J HOWELL 8

K DITCHBURN 8

K MELLOR 8

C FRANKLIN 7

J STOKES 7

C HANCOCK 8

A GREY 8

L ALLEN 8

J RIDLEY 7

T WATSON 7

L HARRISON 9