Last weekend all our teams managed to get their games played following the Christmas break and the bad weather. All the young people representing the club were itching to get back to action playing football.

Darlington Spraire Lads 2 – 5 Newton Aycliffe Youth U14’s Eagles.

The Eagles played away at Darlington this morning. This was the first game since the Christmas break and as coaches we wondered if the lack of football would show. Well it was the exact opposite. Aycliffe played some fantastic football this morning. Everybody in the squad did their bit which is very pleasing to watch. Outstanding performances from Jamie Cockfield, Evan Thompson, Ellie Geary, Isaac Hume, Lewis Batey, Jake Goad, Dylan Bowater, Adam Lowe, Callum North, Kian Cook, Joey Howarth, Reece Dawson Brown, Jamie Mullen, Joe Halford and Lucas Bateman.

Hat trick hero and Man of the Match was Joey Howarth. Other goal scorers were Adam Lowe, and Dylan Bowater.

Darlington 21st All Stars 1-5 Newton Aycliffe Hawks u14.

Hawks travelled to Darlington All-stars and were expecting a though game. Freezing cold conditions but the lads started well. With a couple new signings, Callum and Charlie joining the squad over Christmas (both lads playing a year above themselves) we looked a little better defensively with Charlie looking very comfortable in goal. We created a few half chances and eventually took the lead from a great cross from the left and Drew scoring a volley past the keeper for his 1st goal of the season. We soon doubled our lead as James H scored from distance. We switched off for a split second and All stars made us pay, reducing the deficit to 2-1. That’s how the first half ended. Callum came on to make his debut in the middle of the park and fed a beautiful through ball to Jack but the All starts keeper made a great save. With chance’s coming at both end the next goal was key. Thankfully that goal was from Jack for his 24th league goal of the season, with a lovely finish past the keeper. We quickly added a 4th through James H for his 2nd of the game. We soon added a 5th as Ethan got on the score sheet. That was the end of the scoring for the day. Great to see the lads knuckling down second half and doing their jobs. Mom Tom Jasper for some hard work on the wing and 2 great crosses which brought about goals.

Nunthorpe Athletic 0 – 3 Newton Aycliffe Youth U11’s Eagles.

Good to get back to match day today and our first game of the year took us away to Nunthorpe Athlete on a really heavy, boggy pitch I knew it would be hard for the lads to play the passing football they normally do so well. We spoke about this before the game and the lads took it on board.

The lad started really well and got stuck in, the pitch was going to take its toll with both teams struggling to get any flowing football but the lads kept on trying we got our breakthrough with a lovely mazy run from Noah and a beautiful threaded through ball to Ethan for him to slot home for our first goal, we created a few more half chances but the half finished 0-1

In the second half the lads started well again and put a lot of pressure on Nunthorpe and with the pitch cutting up it was hard for them so we kept on rotating players as a lot of them were struggling on a heavy pitch, our second goal came after some nice build up play which resulted in us getting an indirect free kick just inside the box a deft touch from Isaac and Noah smashed the ball into the back of the net it was Solano and Shearer esk.

Credit to Nunthorpe they kept on playing which meant for a good spectacle as our lads seem to be enjoying themselves which was good to see, we got our third when Jack barged his way into the box and finished with a cheeky little chip (or miss-kick) and that’s how it finished.

Boldon 5 – 0 Newton Aycliffe Youth U13’s Girls

Today we travelled to unbeaten and champions elect Boldon with only 11 players and Faith our GK with an injured finger, we feared the worse but I asked the girls to dig deep and make it hard for Boldon the score. With everyone playing for each other we battled hard frustrating Boldon until the 25th minute as they found space at the back post. A similar goal with 5 minutes till half time, giving Boldon a 2-0 HT lead.

We needed to create something ourselves so changes were made to give us a more attacking shape, and we immediately created chances but their keeper stood firm , on another day we could have drawn level. As the second half continued the defence and GK were holding firm but with 20 minutes to go and no substitutes the girls were looking tired. This allowed Boldon to take control scoring 3 more goals FT 0-5, proud manager today as all the girls gave everything against a top team, reverse fixture next week. Plenty to build on.

If you are interested in playing football and being part of our club, please visit our website where there are lots of information and also links to league tables for competitive football age groups www.nayfc.com.