Durham County Schools FA

ESFA / Durham Under 13 Festival of Football 2010

The 19th ESFA/Durham Festival was attended by 5 residential teams: Allerdale, Gravesham, Luton, Vale of White Horse and Luton.

Nine local, non-residential teams were also in attendance: Bishop Auckland, Chester-le-Street, Derwentside, Gateshead, Hartlepool, North Tyneside, South Northumberland, South Tyneside and Sunderland.

For the second time, St Mary's College at Durham University was used as the residential base with matches being played, as usual, at the University's Graham Sports Centre.

At the Opening Ceremony staff, players and other officials were welcomed by Geoff Wainwright (Festival Secretary), Rob Hope (Chairman of DCSFA) and Alan Johnston (ESFA Area A Representative). They presented Participation Certificates to residential squads. The evening concluded with a Sports Forum hosted by Phil Cunningham (DCSFA). Members of the forum included Oshor Williams (PFA), Ritchie Humphreys (Hartlepool Utd AFC), and George Courtney (ex FIFA referee and FIFA moderator).

Off-field visits for residential teams included trips to the MetroCentre, South Shields and ten pin bowling at Sunderland Bowl. Residents also took part in in-depth coaching activities conducted by Willie Boland and viewed the DVD presentation on 'Drugs Awareness' with discussion led by Oshor Williams (PFA).

Tuesday 6 April

Vale of White Horse	1 - 2	Hartlepool
Gravesham	0 - 3	Derwentside
Luton	0 - 6	South Northumberland
York	1 - 0	Sunderland
Allerdale	0 - 4	Chester-le-Street
South Tyneside	2 - 1	Bishop Auckland

Vale of White Horse and Hartlepool were involved in a closely contested match. Hartlepool took an early 2-0 lead but Vale pulled a goal back before half time. No further goals were scored in the second half as Pools held on for a 2-1 victory.

Chester-le-Street were made to work for their success over Allerdale. The first half remained goal less. In the second half Chester took advantage of a strong breeze at their backs to gain their victory.

York and South Tyneside had narrow wins over Sunderland and Bishop Auckland respectively.

In the other two matches there were comfortable wins for the local associations.

Wednesday 7 April

Vale of White Horse	5 - 1	Bishop Auckland
Luton	6 - 1	Gateshead
Gravesham	2 - 5	Sunderland
Derwentside	2 - 3	Chester-le-Street
York	3 - 0	North Tyneside
Allerdale	0 - 5	South Tyneside
Hartlepool	6 - 0	South Northumberland

Luton, after suffering a heavy first day defeat, came back strongly today against Gateshead. Although Gateshead had the better of the early exchanges in the first half, Luton took advantage of their chances by scoring three times within a short space of time. The Hatters increased their lead in the second half.

Vale of White Horse, after yesterday's reverse, were worthy winners over Bishop Auckland.

Chester-le-Street, after leading 3-0, held on to beat Derwentside.

Sunderland gained their first win of the Festival by beating Gravesham.

At half time Hartlepool and South Northumberland were level at 0-0, with nothing to choose between the two sides. Hartlepool scored within a minute of the restart, which gave them renewed confidence to prosper in the game.

South Tyneside gained a commanding 4-0 half time lead over Allerdale. The Cumbrians played better in the second half and only conceded one more goal.

York gained their second win of the Festival with victory over North Tyneside.

Thursday 8 April

Allerdale	1 - 5	Hartlepool
York	5 - 2	South Northumberland
Luton	5 - 2	Sunderland
Vale of White Horse	1 - 2	Chester-le-Street
Gravesham	0 - 2	South Tyneside
Gateshead	0 - 1	Bishop Auckland

Both Hartlepool and York recorded their third victory of the Festival with comfortable wins over Allerdale and South Northumberland respectively.

Luton maintained their impressive form, after their opening disaster, with a convincing win over Sunderland.

South Tyneside secured another win. They held on to their 2-0 half time lead as Gravesham battled gamely but could not find a route past the Tynesiders' defence.

Chester-le-Street gained the initial advantage by scoring just before half time but Vale of White Horse equalised shortly into the second half. Chester scored the winner midway through the second period.

Bishop Auckland were narrow winners over Gateshead.

Friday 9 April

Vale of White Horse	1 - 0	Derwentside
Luton	2 - 3	Hartlepool
Gravesham	1 - 4	Gateshead
York	1 - 2	Chester-le-Street
Allerdale	1 - 3	Bishop Auckland
North Tyneside	3 - 0	Sunderland

Playing conditions, with warm temperatures, no breeze and a blue sky, were good for the last round of matches.

Chester-le-Street, with a narrow final day win, maintained their unbeaten record for the 2010 Festival thus preventing their opponents York from gaining their fourth victory.

Hartlepool also had a successful Festival, beat Luton in a closely contested match, to remain undefeated.

Vale of White Horse finished on a positive note by beating Derwentside, their second win of the Festival.

A thoroughly enjoyable match was contested between Bishop Auckland and Allerdale as both teams played the game in the correct spirit with Bishop Auckland emerging victorious.

North Tyneside ended the Festival on a high by beating Sunderland.

During the week teams were awarded marks by the referees to determine which association was presented with the Fair Play Award. The winner of the 2010 Festival Fair Play Award was Derwentside SFA.

DCSFA would like to thank a number of people and organisations for their help in making the 2010 Festival another success:

• the staff of St Mary's College, Durham University
• the staff of Graham Sports Centre, Durham University
• the referees (J Cairns, G Courtney, M Henderson, D Lowes, C Park, L Wetherell, D Woodward)
• Oshor Williams and Willie Boland of the PFA
• Ritchie Humphreys, captain of Hartlepool United
• The PFA
• Durham County Council
• Prostar
• University of Durham
• Framwellgate School

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