CUP FINALS
Richmond Mavericks 1 v 5 Aycliffe Youth Seniors
The lads travelled to Richmond for the final of the league cup, playing at the oppositions home ground, but this was never a concern for this excellent group of players. From the start, Richmond played long balls to hit their forwards, who were all 6ft plus in height, but the Aycliffe defence were coping well. However, Richmond took the lead when an in-swinging corner was headed home at the near post. This didn’t change the way Aycliffe were playing, as they passed their way around the midfield and defence of Richmond as Jack Mortimer and Ryan Peart both went close. Then from a corner, the ball dropped to Reed Molloy who took a touch and fired home for the equaliser, and it was all square at the break. Aycliffe opened up the 2nd half and were stretching Richmond, who were putting in a great effort, but it was only a matter of time before the goals came along. Jack Mortimer received the ball wide on the right, cut inside and from the edge of the box, curled a shot into the top left hand corner. There was only going to be one winner from this point, as Ryan Peart drove into the box and placed a low drive into the bottom corner, giving the keeper no chance. Then a heavy collision in midfield left Jon Hardy unconscious, but, after a lengthy stoppage, was able to walk off the pitch and headed straight to A&E, where he was given the ok to head home with concussion, but no serious damage. This lengthy stoppage didn’t disrupt the lads and they soon added their 4th from a great passing team goal which was neatly finished by Mason Steed. On the odd occasion that Richmond did push forward, they found it difficult to get past the solid Aycliffe defence and Adam Scott in goal. The final goal capped a strong performance from Steve Dawson as he fired in the lad’s 5th and final goal. This gives Aycliffe the league and cup double and they then could look towards their next final v Hetton Town.
Newton Aycliffe Youth Women FC 0 v 2 Darlington Spraire Ladies
First senior cup final for the ladies as they travelled to Bishop Auckland. On a warm sunny Sunday, over 150 spectators, many from Aycliffe, turned out to support the teams.
Aycliffe set up, to frustrate the opposition and counter attack and it proved to be the right tactic and worked well. First half was even with both teams coming close. In the final minutes of the first half, Beth wins the ball in the box and was barged off the ball, receiving a bust lip for her efforts, everyone expected a penalty to be awarded, but the referee waived away the appeals. Half time and a single change, but the instruction was to be more attack minded and putting more pressure on the Darlo defence. Aycliffe started well, coming close on a number of occasions, at the back the defence were comfortable and were in control. Then the first blow came, a corner whipped in fell to a Spraire player, their shot was deflected past Courtney in goal, 0-1. Aycliffe continued the pressure and were having the better chances, as they pushed forward for the equaliser. Then a defensive clearance fell to a Spraire player unmarked and an unstoppable shot put the tie out of reach. The ladies kept at it but time wasn’t on our side, final score 0-2. Well done to Darlington Spraire, but Aycliffe have had
a cup final and back-to-back promotions, the future is looking really promising for this team.
POTM, voted by the spectators, went to Sophie, a rock at the back, as were all the defenders, and she was the catalyst to a lot of our counter attacks.