DDYFA is gearing up for business end of season

IT’S now halfway through the festive break of the DDYFA season and teams are hard at it in training gearing up for the business end of the campaign.

Clubs are back in action next weekend after nearly three weeks off and there’s plenty of league and cup titles to be fought for in the second half of the campaign.

Dundee and District Youth Football Association president Jim Falconer said: “The season is going well in all respects and we have a great committee on board this year.

“The man with the hardest job, match secretary John Manzie, is doing an excellent job and making my life very easy.

“All the teams are performing well and are very competitive.

“I have to thank our development officer Keith Thompson, who is also doing a stellar job so far this season.”

Jim is also on the committee at Maryfield United, a club he turned out for in his playing days.

The committee will be passing over to a younger generation next year with Mark Kirkwood and Billy Buchanan taking the helm.

The Fun Fours will be run by Tony Green following the handover.

When asked about recent developments at Maryfield, Jim replied: “We now have both U/11 and U/13 girls sections plus the Fun Fours.

“We have to thank our volunteers because they are the most important people in the club and help provide the safe environment.

“A huge thank you to North End, too, who have helped us throughout the years and treasurer Kenny Reilly, who has given 35 years of service.”

Maryfield have had an encouraging first half to the season throughout the club and Jim is hoping for more of the same in the closing months of the campaign.

He said: “The teams are progressing well and the U/11s seven-a-side are doing very well but they have to continue to work hard.

“The U/13s are currently sitting mid-table and that’s a good position in their first year.

“It is about players developing and progressing i nto better players and, hopefully, most go on to play professionally.”

Finally Jim added: “I hope everyone had a great Christmas and has a happy New Year.”

DUSC U/16s (tangerine) and Brechin couldn’t be separated in their Bill Mills League contest on the Craigie 3G as they drew 2-2 before the Christmas break.

There were plenty of goals on show as Forfar U/15s (blue) made it into the Jean Pierre Babin Cup semi-final by beating Ferry.

Forfar finished 2016 with a fine 6-2 win over Ferry (yellow) in the U/15 Jean Pierre Babin quarter-final.

Before the Christmas break, Dryburgh U/15s (maroon) edged past Fairmuir with a penalty shootout seeing them into the Tommy Clark Trophy semi-finals.

Ferry U/17s (yellow) finished their year with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Fairmuir to book a last-four spot in the East Region Cup.