Richmond Mavericks 0 v
Newton Aycliffe Youth Seniors 6
Away to Richmond in the league and looking to close the gap at the top. We started the game on fire, dominating from the kick off. A passing move from the keeper through the back into Steven Dawson, who turned his man and played a bounce pass off Niall to continue his driving run into their box, smashing home past their keeper. Joe Fawcett and then Jack Mortimer both clipped the bar, as we looked to add a second. It finally came when a Richmond corner was won by Kieran Maughan, who sprinted clear – a one-two with Steven sent him 1v1 with their keeper, Kieran clipping it home. We added our third when some neat play around the box saw Niall Douglas win the ball, another one-two with Steven finished well. Early in the second half we won a penalty. Jack Mortimer stepped up to fire home his first of the game. A mistake at the back by Richmond allowed Jack in to add his second. Sam Thompson set Jack away for his hat-trick goal which he slid under the keeper.
There was still time for Jude Bowes to head against the bar, just as the Ref blew full time. MOM Steven Dawson.
Chester le Street United Women Reserves 2 v
Newton Aycliffe Youth Women 4
First round of the League Cup and we were drawn away to Chester le Street. Perfect conditions for football and a really good game to watch for our 13 travelling supporters, which included two of our injured players both making their way to the pitch on crutches.
With injuries, and players not available, we only had 13 players, so we changed our formation and had a few players playing out of position. First half was a cagey affair with both teams seeing plenty of the ball, but unable to find the right pass. In the 15th minute the deadlock was broken, Annabelle slid the ball in down the right-hand side for Kate, who battled past her defender and shot across the keeper into the far corner from a tight angle. 0-1. The game remained tight, we made two changes and they had an immediate effect. After only being on the pitch one minute, Morgan received the ball midway inside the opposition half, spotted the run of Kate and played an inch-perfect through ball. Kate rounded the defender and scored an identical goal to her first to double her tally. 0-2.
Second half and we asked for more of the same, but it was Chester le Street who struck first to halve the deficit. 1-2.
Aycliffe extended their lead minutes later, with two substitutes combining. Beth received the ball just outside the box, Morgan timed her run to beat the offside trap and Beth squeezed the ball through the defenders for Morgan to score on her second attempt after her initial shot was blocked. 1-3. Straight from the kick off and Aycliffe grabbed a 4th.
Morgan popped up again with another brilliant assist, a piercing ball straight through the middle of the defence for Kate to run on to, one on one with the keeper and Kate doesn’t miss them. Ball slotted past the keeper, 1-4. Chester le Street got one back to make it an interesting last 15 minutes, but Aycliffe held on. What isn’t apparent from this report is how well our makeshift defence played and one player in particular – Amelia. She played both left back and centre back and what a performance, she was unanimously voted player of the match by everyone on the sideline. Well done Amelia.