I WOULD be grateful if you would allow me to say a few words about Louis Martin after hearing the sad news about his death "Ex-world champion weightlifter Louis was a "legend and hero"" (January 19).

Louis Martin's story reminds us that we are in constant need of heroes to guide us through the darkness. We must then be given the opportunity to preserve and maintain the images and power of heroes like Louis Martin MBE and the special meaning of what he did.

To elevate oneself from slave origin, to gladiator, Olympian, citizen and torch bearer is an enormous task, even by today's standards.

We must learn from his experience and open our minds to determine who has the potential to provide us with positive images of ourselves.

There are heroes walking among us every day, people with insight and direction who can profoundly affect our lives and the lives of our children. Let us not wait until a person dies to view them as a hero.

God bless you, Louis Martin.

Finbar Sonny-Richards

Derby

A RALLYING call has been issued to Derby businesses to do more to help some of the city's most disadvantaged young people get on the career ladder.

At the Marketing Derby Annual Business Event, which was attended by 500 business leaders, companies were asked to help troubled youngsters break the cycle of underachievement and get on the path to gainful employment.

At the event, at Derby Theatre yesterday, Marketing Derby announced its Bondholder Future Talent Fund. Its aim is to attract financial contributions from firms to support an organisation based in Allenton called Enthusiasm, as well as a project to improve computer skills in schools.

Enthusiasm, which has been operating for more than 20 years, helps young people who are referred to it after being expelled from pupil referral units. It provides mentors to work with individuals, who challenge their behaviour while helping them learn important life skills that will help them secure a job.

The idea behind the scheme, which will be formally launched on March 19, has come about following discussions between a group of Marketing Derby bondholders.

The scheme is being supported by Foundation Derbyshire, which has agreed to match every £1 donated to the fund.

Sharon Sewell, head of business development at Enthusiasm, said: "I want to thank the bondholders and everyone who is supporting this initiative.

"We aim to use the money to help some of the city's most disadvantaged young people – people who do not have access to the same life choices as others. We want to help them excel and succeed. It is about unlocking their hidden potential."

Closer working between the worlds of business and education was a theme that ran through the event, which also looked back on Derby's achievements in 2014 –and showcased the developments that are set to happen this year.

One of the keynote speakers was Liz Fothergill, president of East Midlands Chamber of Commerce.

Mrs Fothergill, who is also chairman of Derby-based Pennine Healthcare, said: "We are a can-do city. We can take on any challenge. My dream is that all our young school-leavers share in the city's success.

"But there are still too many that fall through the net. They have a lack of aspiration, self-esteem and self-confidence. Businesses can do more to help them by mentoring them, allowing them to shadow them, by offering proper work experience places."

At the same event, the audience heard that, in partnership with busi nesses and Derby City Council, Marketing Derby helped attract more than 700 jobs to Derby last year, including firms such as Florida Turbine Technologies and EPM Technology.

Marketing Derby also revealed it was moving offices to a city centre location. For the past five years, it has been accommodated by law firm Geldards, on Pride Park, but in the next few weeks it will move to the newly refurbished former magistrates' court in Full Street, now named Riverside Chambers.

John Forkin, managing director of Marketing Derby, who hosted the event, said: "We are committed to creating a vibrant city. Key to this is the city centre and that is where we are moving to.

"We've had five happy years at Geldards and we would like to thank them for their hospitality."

Marketing Derby is a public/private sector-backed organisation that was set up to attract and support investment into Derby.

Led by managing director John Forkin, it was founded in 2007.

Mr Forkin's team helps woo potential investors to put their money into Derby and relocate here.

Not long after it started, Marketing Derby launched its Bondholder Scheme, which invited companies to "buy into" Derby's push to attract investment.

It sees companies and other organisations make a financial contribution to Marketing Derby's activities in exchange for access to key networking events and marketing materials.

Today, it has more than 200 bondholders.

"TWO years ago, I remember organising what we called a 'reverse soup run' outside the cathedral. We were handing out soup and hot drinks to people passing by on a bitterly cold day and they were giving us a wide berth.

"They were suspicious about being given something for nothing. There was cynicism, you could sense it. We became strangers to people because we were trying to be generous."

Not my words, but words that resonated with me last Sunday as I sat and watched the Bishop of Derby, Dr Alistair Redfern, deliver his sermon at Derby Cathedral.

He was making his point as he discussed the issue of homelessness to the congregation but what he said could, I believe, reflect any number of different issues. And, in a way, he was talking about me.

I'm not a religious man and I do find myself acting quite cynically when someone offers me something for free. I'm not the only one I'm sure who believes in the oft-hawked phrase that there is "no such thing as a free lunch."

Maybe dealing day-to-day, as I do, in my crime reporting role has moulded me that way. In the past, I always tried to see the best in people.

Or possibly my cynicism comes from experiences where people I trusted have let me down.

Whatever the reason, I now have that kind of mindset is because I know, deep down, that if I had been walking past the cathedral two years ago and someone offered me a free cuppa or a swig of warming soup, I'd probably have given them a wide berth as well.

Dr Redfern said the issue was "a moral one that needs to be addressed" and I wholeheartedly agree with him.

As such, I am making a pledge to try and see the good in people rather than the bad a little more often.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not yet ready to start walking up to strangers in the street and hand them a bunch of flowers just for the sake of kindness.

And nor, like a friend of mine, have I decided to do a good deed a week for a different person every time throughout 2015.

Instead, I'll take time to reflect if I come across someone who I would ordinarily look at with suspicion.

The reason I was at Derby Cathedral last Sunday was to cover the event for the Telegraph and it gave me great pleasure to leave the service with a cracking tale on how it has been recognised for the work it is doing for welcoming asylum seekers and refugees.

One of the clergy at the cathedral was even referred to as "my Mother Teresa" by an Iranian woman who had fled her own country and found solace at the cathedral, I was told.

Walking back to the office, I thought long and hard about what the Bishop had said in his sermon.

A couple of times a year, a local church hands out free cups of tea and bacon cobs to passers-by near to where I live. I've always declined its offer, thinking it must be after something. Next time I'm going to take it up on it.

After all, it's just possible there might be such a thing as a free lunch.

BUSY Derby shops during the festive season helped contribute to an rise in UK retail sales last month.

According to new figures, retail sales grew by 0.4% in December -– despite Black Friday promotions bringing forward many pre-Christmas purchases into November.

It was the weakest December growth for two years but beat analysts' expectations that the figure would be lower due to Black Friday on November 28.

And the last three months of the year saw sales grow at their fastest rate for a decade – up by 5% compared with the same period in 2013.

Speaking at yesterday's Marketing Derby Annual Business Event, Intu Derby's centre manager, Dan Murphy said that the shopping centre, had enjoyed "very good trading over Christmas".

Andy Lyon, retail expert at Castle Donington-based PwC, said that Cyber Monday – December 1 – had been one of the busiest days for online shopping but customers expected consistent prices all the time, both online and in shops.

Average prices were also 2.2% lower last month compared with December 2013, the largest fall since June 2002, largely as a result of plunging petrol prices, which continue to fall.

PetrolPrices.com says the cheapest litre of unleaded in the city – 103.7p – is at Asda, Spondon.

AN Alvaston woman has overcome serious illness, mobility problems and learning difficulties to compete in a Special Olympics competition this spring.

Deborah Bolinger was born with tetralogy of Fallot – a congenital heart defect where there are four abnormalities inside the heart.

She has undergone various operations, including open heart surgery at Glenfield Hospital in Leicestershire, and is now set to compete in a Special Olympic equestrian competition, run by the Riding for the Disabled Association at Scropton.

At the age of two, Ms Bolinger had her first heart surgery in the USA. After moving to the UK, aged nine, she had 12-hour heart surgery for total correction at Groby Road Hospital in Leicester.

Owing to complications and surgery undertaken on her spine and right knee over the years, Ms Bolinger does not have full mobility and has to walk with the aid of a walking stick.

Her father, Malcolm Campion, said: "In 2010, Deborah had a setback when her relationship with her partner broke down and, as she has a learning disability, she didn't cope well with it.

"She started to neglect herself and put on weight. This prevented her from doing the thing she loved in life, riding horses."

A further health scare at this time prompted Ms Bolinger, who is 49, to turn her life around and with regular check-ups and support from the staff at Glenfield and her family, she started to get back on track.

After losing almost five stone in weight, Ms Bolinger returned to horse riding at the Riding for the Disabled Centre in Scropton.

Mr Campion said: "It was a long and challenging haul but her determination was amazing, and she wanted to prove to all the doctors at Glenfield that she could do it.

"She has always said that without the dedicated staff at Glenfield she would not be here today.

"Their support has been so important to Deborah; they have a laugh with her and always ask about her riding. To Deborah the doctors and nurses are her friends."

Last April 2014, Deborah returned to Glenfield for a new replacement heart valve.

Since the procedure, she is out of heart failure and no longer on needs to take anticoagulant medicines.

Heart specialist Dr Aidan Bolger added: "What Deborah has achieved is fantastic and inspiring and we wish her the best of luck in the Special Olympic competition."

A DERBY campaigner is adding his voice to calls for a Government report into the management of asbestos in schools to be published as soon as possible.

Originally, the report was due to be published last June, following extensive consultation 12 months ago but now it looks increasingly likely it will be at the end of February.

David Trigg, honorary chairman of the Derbyshire Asbestos Support team, said the delay was a ploy to "avoid the cost implications of better management of asbestos in our schools".

He said: "The evidence is there that teachers, support staff and children are being exposed to asbestos at school and are subsequently dying.

"The Government's report could make a difference and the lives of present and future generations of children and staff in our schools depend on it.

"Ministers should heed the evidence, acknowledge there is a serious problem of asbestos in schools, publish its report, and then implement far-reaching policies in order to stop this appalling death toll."

Mr Trigg, of Spondon, who helps people with asbestos-related illnesses, said that the latest deaths from mesothelioma, a lung cancer arising from exposure to asbestos, showed the increasing numbers of school staff dying from the disease.

He said: "A total of 22 school teachers died in 2012, 177 have died since 2001 and 291 have died since 1980.

"Additionally, 16 teaching assistants and eight school secretaries died between 2003 and 2012. School caretakers, cleaners and cooks have also died of the cancer but statistics do not record their deaths under schools."

Mr Trigg said that teachers' deaths are the tip of the iceberg, because for every teacher there are 20 to 40 children who could be affected in classrooms.

As a result of pressure from campaign groups, the Government announced in October 2013 that it would review the management of asbestos in schools.

It is nearly 11 years since Derby's worst case of asbestos contamination at a city school.

For three weeks in March 2004, pupils and staff at Silverhill Primary School were exposed to potentially deadly asbestos dust.

The fibres were released during work to replace windows at the Mickleover school.

Two years later, a court case found head teacher Phil Robinson not guilty of endangering people and failing to inform the contractors about the asbestos dust.

But Derby City Council was fined £50,000 with £20,000 costs for failing to ensure workers were not at risk.

The contractor, Horizon Windows, was fined £15,000 for failing to store asbestos waste properly and not training workers to deal with the material.

But despite this, asbestos, which has not been put into new buildings since 1999, is still present in about 90% of Derbyshire, and the country's, schools.

The material, which comes in white, blue and brown varieties, is perfectly safe as long as it is not disturbed.

But it can be damaged in classrooms as children move around and push chairs against walls or damage window panels.

With an average 30-year incubation time for the fibres to create problems, it is only now that cases are coming to the fore from between 1950 and 1980, when asbestos was used most. It is estimated that the number of annual cases of mesothelioma could double by 2020.

PUPILS at a Derby school could miss three days of lessons next week if further planned strike action by two teaching unions goes ahead.

There have already been three strike days over the past two weeks at Merrill Academy in a dispute over performance-related pay.

Only year-11 pupils were able to attend the school in Brackens Lane, Alvaston, during the strikes.

A meeting is due to take place on Monday between representatives of the unions – the National Union of Teachers and National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers – and the school, which is run by Derby College.

Sue Arguile, Derby NUT branch secretary, said: "The current plan is to strike for three days next week, starting on Tuesday.

"If there is still no agreement with management then we will be consulting members on an escalation of action and possibly more prolonged strikes as our members feel so strongly about this issue."

The dispute has arisen after the unions said that targets were too hard in relation to performance- related pay.

Ms Arguile said: "Last Wednesday and Thursday's strike action was solid with more teachers joining and coming out on the picket lines.

"NUT members do not want to take further strike action but do not see any other way of influencing an intransigent management.

"They are determined that the punitive policies in place at Merrill must change so that they can begin to be treated as the highly qualified professionals they are and feel that they are trusted to set themselves targets which really will help them to support the pupils in their learning rather than just attempting to jump through unrealistic hoops."

Merrill Academy principal Andy Scott said: "We have asked both unions to provide us with examples of an objective they would consider to be acceptable. We will give any input received serious consideration.

"We will consider anything that union reps or individuals want us to consider in resolving this issue."

"It is not the case that 'virtually no-one got an increase' or 'the vast majority of people did not get an increase' as has been erroneously claimed by union officials.

"Around 64% of the teaching staff who are still employed by the academy were successful with their appraisal and 60% of the teaching staff still employed by the academy, eligible for a pay increment, received this.

"The policy has been correctly implemented and, as a result, not everyone was awarded a successful appraisal and, where eligible, a pay award.

"I am greatly concerned about what is happening within the school and would question the reasons it is happening."

A THREE-YEAR-OLD boy was reunited with his treasured teddy bear just in time for an operation.

Ethan Mansfield was "heartbroken" after losing Charlie Bear during an appointment at Royal Derby Hospital on Tuesday.

But after a Derby Telegraph Facebook appeal, the bear was found and reunited with Ethan, who had owned the cuddly toy since he was born.

It turned out that Charlie Bear had somehow been put up for sale in the hospital's shop with other teddies and toys. Someone had bought the bear and then returned it after spotting the Facebook appeal.

The discovery meant the operation to remove Ethan's tonsils on Thursday could go ahead without him having to worry about his favourite toy being missing.

Ethan's mum, Kirsten, of Hatton, said: "He was absolutely delighted and thrilled that Charlie Bear had been found. It really cheered him up so much.

"Ethan was heartbroken because he had gone.

"When we got to the hospital he was quite relaxed and a lot less worried about the operation because he was going to be reunited with Charlie Bear.

"The staff were waiting with him when we arrived and gave him a lot of fuss, which made him feel good.

"The staff had a picture taken with Charlie Bear and Ethan."

She said Ethan was now feeling much better. "The operation to have the tonsils removed went well and I'm just pleased everything is okay now. It's been a busy week with Charlie Bear going missing then being found just in time for Ethan's operation, so hopefully we can have a nice relaxing weekend."

Kirsten said it took Ethan a while to come round after the surgery.

She said: "When he woke up Charlie was next to him and it was lovely to see. The staff at the hospital were absolutely brilliant and made sure Ethan was comfortable and nothing happened to Charlie Bear."

Full-time mum Kirsten said Ethan was very nervous about his operation and Tuesday's appointment had been a chance for them both to be made aware of what was going to happen.

When they discovered Charlie Bear was gone, they searched the children's wards of the hospital but could not find him. They then had to make the car journey back to Hatton without Ethan's favourite toy and the little boy became even more worried about his operation.

A spokesman for Derby Hospitals said: "We are delighted that Charlie Bear has been found and returned to Ethan in time for his operation.

"We wish him a speedy recovery."

THE funeral of a schoolgirl who became seriously ill and died within a matter of hours is being held today.

The service for Franchesca Pawson is being held at Bretby Crematorium at 10.30am, followed at noon by a celebration of her life at Ozzy Road Church, where her family worship.

Her ashes will then be taken to Mindo, a village in Ecuador where she was born.

The 12-year-old Littleover Community School pupil died suddenly at the Royal Derby Hospital on Monday, January 12. The provisional cause of death was given as septic shock due to consolidation of the right lung, a condition that was common 100 years ago but is now almost unheard of.

Franchesca's mother and father, Elsa and Tim, have another child, Philip, seven.

Tim was working in Ecuador as a Christian missionary when he met Elsa in 1998. The family moved to Derby in the summer of 2013.

Franchesca joined Littleover Community School a few months later and her parents said she loved her time there.

The life of another teenager who had attended the same school will be remembered tomorrow with a minute's silence.

George Watson, of Whitaker Road, Littleover, died suddenly last Tuesday at the age of 17.

A spokeswoman for the coroner's office said further tests would have to be undertaken to determine the provisional cause of his death.

A minute's silence had been planned for Derby football matches last Sunday, but these were called off because of poor weather. Littleover Dazzlers, for whom George used to play, will be among the teams taking part in tomorrow's tribute.

UP to 24 homeless people are set to learn football coaching skills as part of a charity project.

The Achieve FC scheme could land at least six of them a permanent role within the Derby County Community Trust.

The course, put together by the trust and Derby City Council, runs until November.

Lee Zander, a recovered drug addict, is already signed up to the programme.

Now 41, Lee was first made homeless at the age of 17 when he struggled with behavioural issues.

He now undertakes a lot of volunteer work helping others overcome their problems and has lived in a flat in Allenton since March.

He is optimistic that Achieve FC can give people in similar positions to him the second chance they need. He said: "I think it's an excellent programme. There are many people out there who have their problems – it could be low self esteem – and this sort of project can build these people back up."

An open day will be held on Monday to provide potential candidates with a taster and information session.

As part of Achieve FC, the candidates will undertake the Sports Leaders UK level-one qualification and the FA's level-one football coaching badge.

The trust is aiming to fill 24 spaces on the course and has committed to giving at least six of those permanent jobs if they impress.

For Lee, it represents an opportunity at the end of a long recovery process.

He is originally from Huntington, Cambridgeshire, and, after first finding himself homeless when he was 17, he began to use drugs recreationally at the age of 19.

This eventually led to a cocaine addiction.

He said: "I took stimulants and dabbled with cannabis but it was mainly cocaine.

"The first time I took Ecstasy, I took it to fit in at the pub or clubs.

"But, within a few years, I was buying cocaine and taking it at home on my own. Then it becomes quite an isolating place."

Lee moved to Derby two years ago to tackle his addiction, checking into Jericho House in London Road.

The centre is a nine-bedroom house that houses just nine patients and the staff, who are recovering themselves.

Lee stayed there for a total of eight months while he completed his recovery.

And he is grateful to all of those involved in helping him overcome his addiction. He said: "It was extremely difficult to begin with.

"I remember in my first week I was in a communal area making a cup of tea and to my left there was a dining room and to my right a group room and I just felt like a trapped rat.

"But it is an extremely loving environment which felt like a big family."

Since his recovery, he has volunteered for Jericho House, Derventio Housing Trust, the Amy Winehouse Foundation and Derby County Community Trust's sister company Active Choices.

He said he was excited by the Active FC programme.

"I am still learning as well as giving back to others," he said.

"I know there may be some younger people on the course so hopefully I can offer them support as they might still be struggling, so it would be good to give back."

That same evening Cutler, formerly of Adler Court, Derby, returned to Ms Bainbridge's Belper cottage to clean up - dragging her victim's body into the backyard.

WITH the snow still affecting much of the north of the county, only two Midlands Regional Alliance Premier Division games went ahead as planned at the weekend.

Both matches ended in 3-2 home wins with Allestree beating Newhall United and Little Eaton triumphing at Tibshelf.

Two late goals from Ollie Howell helped Allestree to victory – his second coming in the 95th minute – while Gavin McCready scored twice in Little Eaton's win.

Aston United remain the runaway leaders in Division One after goals from Mark Green (2), Paul Ireson, and Adam Martin helped them beat Wirksworth Town Reserves 4-1.

Derby Singh Brother and Stapleford Town shared the points in a six-goal thriller while in Division Two, Willington Sports beat Derby Deaf by the odd goal in nine.

Sherwin extended their lead at the top after Ruben Francis, Walter Quinnonez and Luke Reid led them to a 3-0 home win against Matlock Town CFA.

In the Junior Cup, Melbourne Dynamo Reserves were beaten by Rowsley 86 Reserves despite strikes from Paul Swallow and Jack Goodband.

John Ngugi bagged a hat-trick for Sandiacre Town Reserves as they beat AFC Rocester 3-2, while in the MRA Challenge Cup, Division One high-flyers Stockbrook Rangers dumped Premier Division side Woolley Moor United out of the competition with a 4-3 win.

Dom Holder, Stuart Legg, Aran Wightman and Ben Ormond scored for the winners.

Mickleover Royals have bragging rights after beating Mickleover RBL in the fourth round of the Central Midlands League cup.

Louis Menson got Royals' winner in extra time. Danny Briscoe scored for Royals in normal time with Matt Savage netting for RBL.

Holbrook St Michaels suffered their 19th defeat of the season in the Black Dragon Badges South as they were beaten 6-0 by Pinxton while Belper United were 5-1 winners over Eastwood Community.

In the Alfreton Sunday League, Duffield Dynamos consolidated top spot in Division One by beating White Swan 2-1.

Luke Morledge netted the only goal as Hayloft beat Blackwell MW while in Division Two, The Gardeners beat Village Inn 4-3 to go top.

However, Littleover HM can overtake them if they win their games in hand.

They found the going tough against visitors Ripley White Lion and went into the half-time interval level.

However, normal service was resumed for the second half as they ran out 6-2 winners.

Elsewhere, Jacksdale MW Athletic beat AmberAthletic 1-0.

BRADLEY Austin bagged himself a hat-trick as Belper Sports won the battle of the Black Sox in Under-11 Group One.

They beat Belper Town Black Sox 9-0 with Dan Needham also netting a brace.

Liam Flitter scored three, too, as Ilkeston Juniors Reds beat Littleover Dazzlers by the same score.

In Group Two, Alec Barnden's hat-trick led Mickleover 95 Rams to a 4-0 win at Ilkeston Juniors Robins while Tommi Swarbrook's lone strike helped Spondon Rovers Flames to victory at Field Lane Lions in Group Three.

Owen Ward also scored a hat-trick as his side, Toton United, beat Little Eaton Diamond All Stars 6-1.

Two from Bilal Tchessebei helped Spondon Crusaders edge past LE Galaxy in Group Four.

Mickleover Sports Club United's Lewis Winfield netted twice as his side beat Belper Sports Red Sox 3-2 in Group Five.

One each from Anas Ali and Dylan Muir saw Alvo Boys All Stars beat Melbourne United Blue Sox 2-0 in the group's other game.

Jacub Dussroth and Ben Prince scored two goals each as Branston eased past Chellaston Boys Black Sox in Under-12 Group One.

Further goals from Mitchell Bamford and Harry Beard helped Branston record a 9-0 victory.

Callum Samson and Max Peplow struck as Hilton Harriers Thunder beat Derwent 2-1 while Jayden Clamp and Kian Turnbull got a brace each as Doveridge beat Rocester Juniors Wasps 5-1.

Oliver Walsh scored the only goal as Melbourne United Blue Sox beat 2bm FC Pumas in Group Two.

Spondon Rovers Milan ran out 7-1 winners against Chellaston Boys Athletic, while Uttoxeter Juniors and GAD Khalsa Sports Barca shared the points following a 2-2 draw.

Josh Buckley and James Price got the goals for Uttoxeter, while Rajan Shergill and Maximus Upchurch replied.

In Group Three, Bradley Mail led the way with a double as Spondon Crusaders beat Duffield Dynamo Panthers 5-2.

Their other goals came from Kai Dasoki, Nathan Wright and Ben Wookey. Duffield's goals came from Tyler Milbourne and Rhys Cole.

Harry O'Neil bagged a brace for Ilkeston FC Juniors Reds as they beat GAD Khalsa Sports 3-1. Cameron Higgins added the third, while Balrajan Shergill replied.

Two goals each from Littleover Dazzlers' Gianluca Calabria and Brodie Carter helped them record a 5-0 win at Mickleover Sports Club.

In Group Four, Zac Anderson netted a hat-trick and there were two goals each from Lennon Slater and Lewis Ridgeway as Stanton Ilkeston beat Belper Sports Red Sox 9-2.

Alvo Boys Gunners secured another win as goals from Michael Peters (2), Makenzie Lambert, Sam Pearson and Owen Thornewill led them to a 5-0 win at Field Lane Black Sox.

Thomas Allen scored the only goal as Belper Town Juniors Gold Sox beat Alvo Boys Black Sox in Group Five.

There were also cup games at the weekend, with Littleover Dazzlers Bilbao edging past Chellaston Boys Athletic 4-3 in Group One of the Ken Oxford Memorial Cup.

James Stafford netted twice for Dazzlers.

There was a brace from GAD Khalsa Sports' Cory Birks but his side were beaten 3-2 by Melbourne United Blue Sox in Group Two.

Melbourne's goals came from Owen Parr, Sam Alcock and Sam Bancroft.

In the Ken Oxford Memorial Shield, Joseph Lee got the only goal as Chellaston Boys Black Sox beat Belper Town Juniors Gold Sox in Group A of the competition.

In Group B, goals came from Oliver Zawaskie (2), Freddie Garrett and James Moore led Ashbourne Aztec Juniors to a 5-1 win over Allestree Juniors Seville.

Ilkeston Whites' Oscar Gregson struck four times as his side beat New Boulton Athletic 10-0.

Declan Brown grabbed a hat-trick as Allestree Juniors Napoli beat Bargate Kestrels 5-2 in Group One of the Under-10 Giuseppe Calderone Memorial Cup and in Group Two, strikes from Harry Hallsworth and Mitchell Hart led Ilkeston Reds to a 2-1 win over Codnor Boys Yellow Sox.

RYAN Baxter and Shalom Mukasa both scored hat-tricks as Mickleover 95 Dragons celebrated a big win over Be Inspiring in Under-14 Division Two.

Joe Benson and Tadd Kadete got two goals each in the 10-3 victory for Dragons.

Taylor Alsbury also scored twice for Allestree Juniors Colts as they beat Castle Donington 5-3. Ben Fitzhugh was also on the scoresheet.

In Division Three, Holbrook Sports and Heanor Town Juniors shared the spoils in a 3-3 draw.

Edward Clark (2) and Lewis Bates scored for Holbrook with Max Candle (2) and Jared Smith replying for Heanor.

Ashbourne Aztecs just scraped past hosts Sherwin, thanks to goals from Alex Moss and Keane Bond. Bajesh Johal scored for Sherwin.

Jacob Allsop was at the double as West Hallam Juniors Wanderers took maximum points from their game with Sinfin Sharks.

Further goals from Lewis Davies, James Wignall, George Ball and Bailey Stephenson helped Wanderers to a 6-2 win. James McLoughlin, Suki Rai and Luke Nowacki got the Sharks' goals.

Ashbourne Aztecs had a big win over Sherwin in Under-13 Division One.

Led by two each from Tim Lueer and Jamies Bryan, Ashbourne ran out 7-0 winners. Jake Ridley, Ben Wainwright and Charlie Scattergood got the other goals for Ashbourne.

Gerald Harvey got two goals for Mackworth St Francis in their 6-1 win over Sinfin Sharks.

Tom Molyneux, Jack George, Aidan Bromyard and Jack Rule got the other goals for Mackworth, while Tomasz Jurkiewicz netted for Sharks.

Borrowash Victoria Juniors beat Spondon Crusaders by the odd goal in nine, thanks to strikes from Alex Hart (2), Cole Hassell, Lewis Taylor and Charlie Harrison.

Joe Sharratt (2), Hugh Walker and Lewis Gillman were on the scoresheet for Spondon.

In Division Two, Spondon Dynamos notched up double figures against club rivals Spondon Dynamo Juniors.

Adrian Ncube and Mathew Feurtado both scored four times as Spondon beat Juniors 16-0.

Tyler McKay, Macaullay Burley, Harvey Allen and Jack Lucas netted the other goals for the winners.

Also gaining bragging rights were Mickleover Jubilee, who were 5-2 winners against Mickleover 95 thanks to goals from Ross Phillips (2), Kane Simpson, Sam Dilkes and Dan Broderick.

Adam Clark scored both goals as Duffield Dynamos beat Mickleover 95 Devils 2-1 in Division Three.

In the Under-14 Challenge Trophy, South Normanton Colts edged out Mickleover 95 5-4 with strikes from Joe Welsh (4) and Tom Hunt.

DEVANTE Reittie top-scored with five goals as Under-16 Division One leaders Brookfield Colts beat Castle Donington 12-1.

A Dylan Garbett hat-trick plus two goals from Ronnie Scaife saw Littleover Dazzlers to a 5-1 defeat of Codnor Boys, as two goals each from Sasha Markelic and Alex Mander gave Spondon Dynamos Colts an impressive 4-0 win over third-placed Duffield Dynamos.

Ilkeston Juniors' Kyle Hollis scored four goals and there was a hat-trick from Joe Taylor as Littleover Dazzlers Pheonix were beaten 11-0, while Belper Town Juniors were 4-0 winners against Spondon Dynamos.

Ben Eaton's hat-trick helped Division Two leaders Field Lane beat FC Redwood 6-4, Regan Parker scoring twice for Redwood.

Joe Waterfield scored twice as second-placed Allestree held off third-placed Spondon Dynamos 4-2 score line. Callum Foss and Owyn Evans scored for Spondon.

Liam Martin scored both goals as Spondon Dynamos Rams beat Sinfin Sharks 2-1.

Louis Kinnerley scored twice in St Georges' 3-1 defeat of GAD Khalsa Sports, as Stanton Ilkeston were 2-0 winners against Belper Sports.

In Under-15 Division One, Belper Town Juniors beat Melbourne United 2-0, Harry Jones scoring both goals for the leaders, while Hassan Khan scored both goals for Spondon Dynamos but his team lost 5-2 to Derwent, Jake Dickinson scoring twice for the winners.

Jack Cain's hat-trick led Mickleover 95 to a 7-1 win against Sinfin Sharks and Jack Smedley scored both goals as Mickleover Sports beat Codnor Boys 2-1.

Melbourne United Colts shocked Division Two leaders Stocky Rams 4-0, as Dion Parkinson scored a hat-trick for Bramcote United as his team beat Borrowash Vics 8-0.

In Division Three, Stanton Ilkeston's Jack Stevens scored a hat-trick in a 5-2 win against Duffield Dynamos.

Matt Sanders scored both goals for Wilne but they lost 3-2 to St Georges.

Stanton Ilkeston drew 1-1 with Borrowash Vics in Under-18 Division One.

Duffield Dynamos Lions roared to a 5-1 win against Duffield Dynamos in Division Two, while 2bm Pumas' Kyle Walsh scored four as they beat Holbrook Sports 6-3 despite Jamie Shelton netting a hat-trick. West Hallam beat Allestree 2-1.

In Division Three, Al-Madina edged out Roe Farm 2-1, as Spondon Crusaders' Allan Hahn scored a hat-trick to beat ADASC Harriers 3-1.

GEORGE Thorne continued his comeback from a serious knee injury by playing 45 minutes for Derby County Under-21s this afternoon.

The 22-year-old midfielder has started building his match fitness after being out for six months due to the cruciate ligament damage he suffered in a pre-season game against Zenit St Petersburg.

Goals from Callum Guy, Tom Koblenz (2), Alban Bunjaku (2), Kwame Thomas and Shaquille McDonald gave the Rams a 7-1 victory over Stoke City in an Barclays Under-21 Premier League fixture played at the training ground.

Lee Glover's team has now lost just once in the last 11 games.

DERBY COUNTY U21s: Mitchell; Ssewankambo (Hanson, 13), Sharpe, Thorne (Bunjaku, 46), Rawson, T Naylor, Santos, Koblenz, Thomas (McDonald, 73), Guy, Calero.

Others subs: Behrens (gk), Lowe.

STOKE CITY U21s: Eve; Wheeler (Wells, 86), Barner, Watkins, Teixeira (Shepard, 72), O'Reilly, Parry, Ward, Ricketts-Hopkinson, Thomas, Strong.

Other subs: Yao, Kurasik, Williams.

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