Whitburn 3 v Newton Aycliffe Youth Seniors ( County Cup) 5
Whitburn play in a different league and one step above in the Football pyramid, so another tough test for the team. Whitburn started quickly and were determined to put Aycliffe under pressure every time they got the ball. The swirling wind and the long grass stopped the lads from playing their quick passing game. Whitburn dominated for the first 25 minutes, going close and forcing Adam Scott into some good saves.
Aycliffe were restricted to a few half chances. However, a free kick 20 yards from goal and up stepped Jack Mortimer to send the ball over the wall and into the top corner. Five minutes later, Jon Hardy chases after a ball that their defender had a 30 yard head start on, but the pass back to the keeper is closed down by Jon who blocks the pass and it falls to Reed Molloy on the edge of the box to finish. HT 0-2.
The lads were warned that Whitburn would be wanting to get back into the game and they started quickly, Adam again had to pull off some good saves. Then Aycliffe won a penalty, when Jack was brought down. He stepped up and scored, this was followed with a Josh Bayne corner being met on the volley by Jack for his hat trick. With Aycliffe 4-0 up, this was the start of a crazy last 15 minutes. A long ball over the top and Whitburn get one back, a mistake and they grab a second, yet another mistake and it’s 4-3 to the lads. It’s now all Whitburn. However, on our next attack Jack is fouled right on the edge of the box. Again, he steps up and the ball goes around the wall and gives the keeper no chance, which gives Aycliffe the chance to see out the game. Possibly the worst the team have played all season but, more importantly, they still ground out a win and march into the next round of the County Cup where they will be away to Darlington RA.
Birtley Ladies Firsts 9 v Newton Aycliffe Women ( County Cup) 1
The game started evenly with Aycliffe creating some good chances, and really should have been 2-0 up. However, all credit to Birtley who weathered the storm then got themselves back in the game and finished the half the strongest with some excellent goals. HT 5-0.
A good reaction from Aycliffe and three minutes after the break, a good passage of play resulted in a corner, the ball was whipped into the box and came off a Birtley player, 5-1. We then switched off again and Birtley rattled in another four goals in 15 minutes. A change in formation and a change in fortune, we now looked stronger and kept Birtley at bay for the last 25 minutes, whilst creating a few chances ourselves. Not at our best and against higher opposition that was always going to make things difficult. POM went to Jess, battled hard all game on the wing making it difficult for the opposition player.