Durham County Schools FA

ESFA / Durham Under 13 Festival of Football 2011

The twentieth ESFA / Durham CSFA Festival was attended by 3 residential teams: Allerdale, Derby and Chiltern & South Bucks.

Six local, non-residential teams were also in attendance: Bishop Auckland, Darlington, East Durham, Gateshead, Hartlepool and South Northumberland.

Grey College at Durham University was used as the residential base for the visiting associations 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), Barry Pescod (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 Rob Hope (DCSFA). Members of the forum were Richard Jobson (PFA) and Ritchie Humphreys (Hartlepool Utd AFC).

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

DAY 1: Monday 18 April

The weather conditions were ideal for the start of the twentieth ESFA Durham Under 13 Boys Inter-association Festival of Football, which was played at The Graham Sports Centre, Durham.

The first game of the Festival, between Darlington and East Durham, was a game of "two halves". East Durham were the better side during the first period but only had one goal to show for their superiority. The match swung dramatically in the second half when Darlington scored five without reply. Lewis Reece was on top form scoring four times, the other goal was scored by Mitchell McKenna.

In the afternoon matches goals continued to flow.

Hartlepool opened up a two goal half time lead over Derby. For 20 minutes in the second half play between the two sides was very even until Hartlepool added a third. Derby pulled a goal back with 3 minutes remaining but Hartlepool scored one more with only a few seconds to go.

Allerdale and South Northumberland remained goalless at half time. The deadlock was broken by South Northumberland, the better team, five minutes into the second period. With 15 minutes left Allerdale were back in the game when they equalised. As the game neared its conclusion two goals within a minute by Allerdale gave them an unexpected victory.

Results:

• Darlington 5 East Durham 1
• Derby 1 Hartlepool 4
• Allerdale 3 South Northumberland 1

On the first evening the residential teams participated in a 6-a-side tournament, which was played on an all-weather pitch at Maiden Castle. Each association team divided their squad into two teams (A and B). The six teams played each other using a mini-league format.

6-a-side Results:

• Allerdale A 2 Derby A 0
• Chiltern & South Bucks B 1 Allerdale B 0
• Derby B 1 Chiltern & South Bucks A 0
• Allerdale A 2 Chiltern & South Bucks A 0
• Derby A 0 Allerdale B 2
• Derby B 1 Allerdale A 3
• Derby A 0 Chiltern & South Bucks A 0
• Allerdale B 2 Derby B 2
• Derby A 0 Chiltern & South Bucks B 1
• Allerdale A 0 Allerdale B 1
• Chiltern & South Bucks B 1 Chiltern & South Bucks A 1
• Derby A 0 Derby B 0
• Allerdale A 0 Chiltern & South Bucks A 3
• Chiltern & South Bucks B 2 Derby B 2
• Allerdale B 1 Chiltern & South Bucks A 0

6-a-side Final placings:

1. Allerdale B 10 pts
2. Allerdale A 9 pts
3. Chiltern & South Bucks B 8 pts
4. Derby B 6 pts
5. Chiltern & South Bucks A 5 pts
6. Derby A 2 pts

DAY 2: Tuesday 19 April

The warm spring sunshine made it pleasant for the spectators to enjoy the football provided by the teams.

Chiltern & South Bucks, playing in their first Durham festival, earned a draw against Gateshead. The Tynesiders took the lead in the 12th minute when a long range shot gave the Chiltern keeper no chance. Chiltern were back on level terms in the 57th minute when persistence by them created an opportunity. The initial shot was half stopped but this created an easy tap in. Chiltern took the lead 7 minutes later. There was an excellent run down the right wing but the subsequent shot was blocked. The winger was able to get a second cross over into the danger area. The cross was perfectly placed and superbly headed home. Gateshead did not give up and they were rewarded by scoring an equaliser with 3 minutes remaining.

Only one goal, in favour of Bishop Auckland, separated them from Derby at half time. Bishop increased their lead midway through the second half. Derby reduced the arrears in the 26th minute the result of a good shot from the edge of the penalty area. Bishop responded immediately by scoring a third. This deflated Derby as they conceded three more goals in the final five minutes.

Hartlepool and South Northumberland provided an entertaining game. Neither side was able to score in the first half although plenty of opportunities on goal were created especially by South North. Unfortunately for South North the Hartlepool goalkeeper was in good form. Hartlepool went one up in the 53rd minute but South North equalised a minute later. Hartlepool regained the lead in the 61st minute when an attempted clearance went straight to a Hartlepool forward 12 yards from goal who rifled the ball into the net. Hartlepool sealed the game by scoring a third with 3 minutes left.

Allerdale, after a first day victory and then winning the 6-a-side competition for the residential associations, kept their winning streak going by defeating East Durham.

Results:

• Chiltern & South Buck 2 Gateshead 2
• Bishop Auckland 6 Derby 1
• South Northumberland 1 Hartlepool 3
• Allerdale 5 East Durham 0

The residential associations began the second day with a coaching session provided by Craig Liddle (Darlington FC).

The boys were entertained on the evening with a Sports Forum in which Ritchie Humphreys (Hartlepool Utd FC) and Richard Jobson (PFA) were the guest speakers.

DAY 3: Wednesday 20 April

Another sunny day greeted players and spectators to the third set of matches.

Hartlepool maintained their fine form with a good victory over Allerdale. Hartlepool gained an early advantage when they took the lead in the 5th minute. After this setback Allerdale created a number of chances but Hartlepool were resilient at the back. The Cumbrians came close to scoring in the 25th minute when a free kick rattled the Hartlepool crossbar. The pressure on Hartlepool eased when they added a second goal a minute before half time. The half time team talk spurred Allerdale on. They reduced the arrears with a goal 2 minutes after the restart. Hartlepool regained the comfort of a two goal lead after 46 minutes. Play continued to fluctuate from end to end as both teams tried to add to their tally. Allerdale had a good chance for a second goal when they were awarded a penalty but the kick was well saved by the Hartlepool keeper. It was not to be Allerdale's day as they again hit the crossbar and the keeper made a good save to the follow up shot. Both teams can be highly commended for the excellent game of football they gave the spectators.

Derby, after suffering a heavy defeat on Day 2, recovered to give a good, determined performance against a very capable Gateshead side.

Chiltern & South Bucks gained a 3-0 half time lead over East Durham. The boys from East Durham fought back in the second half but Chiltern managed hang on for victory

Results:

• Allerdale 1 Hartlepool 3
• East Durham 2 Chiltern & South Bucks 3
• Gateshead 2 Derby 0

Before the matches were played the residential associations were shown a PFA Drugs Awareness video.

DAY 4: Thursday 21 April

Once again the sun shone brightly, as the curtain came down on the 2011 Durham Festival.

Bishop Auckland, because they had a large squad, played two matches on the final morning, the first against Chiltern & South Bucks. Two goals scored midway in each half gave Bishop a good win over the southern association. Chiltern had their chances but were unable to breach the Bishop's defence.

South Northumberland got off to a good start in their game against Derby with an early goal. Both sides created opportunities but it was Derby that scored scored the next goal and equalised when they broke from midfield. A defence splitting pass was made for the Derby forward to run onto and score, much to the pleasure of the Derby supporters. South North had a spell when they hit the bar three times as well as scoring a second goal. A cross from the right was parried by the Derby keeper into the path of a South North forward who scored easily. With 8 minutes remaining Derby created an excellent chance to equalise but the final shot was extremely wayward.

Hartlepool were made to fight to the very end by a determined East Durham and, therefore, remained undefeated in this year's Festival. The first half was goal less but Pools opened the scoring in the 34th minute when a corner, from the left, was superbly headed home. East Durham were soon back on level terms. A weaving dribble into the box ended when the East Durham player was tripped. The penalty was confidently converted. Hartlepool regained the lead 10 minutes from time when a very good move down the right wing concluded with a goal.

In their second match, this time against Allerdale, Bishop Auckland were very quick out of the blocks and scored in the 1st minute. No further goals were scored in the first half as both defences held firm. Allerdale thought they had equalised in the 55th minute but the goal was disallowed because of an infringement. With only a few seconds remaining before the final whistle Bishop scored a second goal.

Results:

• Derby 1 South Northumberland 2
• Chiltern & South Bucks 0 Bishop Auckland 2
• Hartlepool 2 East Durham 1
• Allerdale 0 Bishop Auckland 2

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 2011 Festival Fair Play Award was Chiltern & South Bucks SFA.

DCSFA would like to thank a number of people and organisations for their help in making the 2011 Festival another success:

• the staff of Grey College, Durham University
• the staff of Graham Sports Centre, Durham University
• the referees (M Dunn, J Harrison, M Henderson, A Lowes, C Parker, Miss L Robinson, J Shippen, L Wetherell, D Woodward)
• Richard Jobson and Craig Liddle of the PFA
• Ritchie Humphreys, club captain of Hartlepool United
• The PFA
• Durham County Council
• Star Sportswear Ltd (Prostar)
• University of Durham
• Framwellgate School

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