Newton Aycliffe Juniors Under 10’s side began their year in this age group with the TJFA side in a pre-season 5 a-side tournament at Alun Armstrong Sports Centre last weekend. The Russell Foster league side began their season on the same day in Division 6. The whole squad were crowned NAJFC team of the year at last week’s club presentation after winning a treble of trophies as Under 9’s and the Russell Foster league side being promoted 4 divisions.
At the 5-a-side event the competition came in the shape of 2 sides each from Darlington All Stars and Spraire Lads alongside Leven and the host team from Alun Armstrong Sports Centre (AASC). With Harry and Aaron unavailable it was a 7 strong squad of Thomas, Chloe, Jake, Charlie, Jacob, Lucas and Zack who started off against each of the All Stars teams.
Their form was impressive as they chalked up wins of 3-1 and 13-0 respectively. The team’s scoring was stemmed a little as the next two games were drawn 2-2 against Spraire Lads and Leven. The group stage was then wrapped up with impressive wins against the second Spraire Lads side (13-0) and finally AASC (9-1). The group stage ending with a total 42 goals scored and only 6 conceded.
Into the knock out stage it was the much improved hosts who pushed our squad all the way in the semi which ended 5-4 to Aycliffe and set up a final against Leven. Both Leven and Aycliffe had looked impressive all day, but in the final the whole Aycliffe squad gelled superbly and they ran away with a 6-0 win playing some truly wonderful football. Goals were scored by Lucas, Jacob (2), Charlie, Jake and Zack.
Big thanks to our hosts at the Alun Armstrong Sports Centre for a great event and a huge well done to the team and coaches – a great start to life as Under 10’s!
The Under 10 Russell Foster side played 2 games at Monkton Stadium in Jarrow, with mixed results. The first match featured Dom, Oli, Sam, Evan, Taylor, Ted and Bo as captain (Matty & Bronton coming off the bench), and saw Aycliffe run out as 5-1 winners over Hetton Lyons, a game they dominated throughout.
Goals came from Evan and Matty along with a hat-trick from Bo and great play from the whole team leading to victory in the season opener. Players man of the match was awarded to Matty, with the parents giving their award to Sam.
The second game was a close affair, against a dogged Durham County Athletico side. With the side lining up with Dom, Oli, Sam, Evan, Taylor, Bronton and Matty as captain (Bo & Ted appearing as subs). They soon took the lead with an opportunistic strike from Taylor, before falling behind 2-1 early in the second half.
Bo forced an equaliser with 5 minutes to go following a mix up in defence, and just as the game was seemingly heading for a draw, Durham struck a late winner with a cruel deflection past Dom in goal. Both players and parents awarded man of the match to Taylor. Overall, a solid start to a higher division, in difficult, warm conditions – well done to everyone!
If you want to get involved with this amazing squad training re-starts at Sunnydale on Thursday’s 5.45 -7pm from the 23rd July, with the first six weeks back to be led by the FA Skills coaching team.
Other NAJFC sides back in action soon are the Under 7’s who re-commence training from Monday 6th July 6-7pm, just come along or contact Brett Lambert on 07903 718088. Our Under 18’s are having open trials on the 5th and 12th July from 12-2pm, if interested come along or contact Joe Petrozcy on 07798 680235 – all sessions are at Sunnydale Leisure Centre and all new players are very welcome.
