Bishop Auckland Reserves 1 v Newton Aycliffe Youth Seniors 1
(1-4 penalties)
The Shipowner’s Cup is the prestige competition for the Wearside League teams and give the lads their biggest test of the season, as they travelled for a local derby against Bishop Reserves, who play two leagues above Aycliffe. The lads started the game in the worst possible way, when, in the first minute, a long ball over the top, could have been cleared with two attempts but resulted in Bishop scoring. The next 15 minutes both sides resorted to long ball tactics, another mistake in midfield resulted in a shot from 30 yards, but Adam Scott pulled off the save of the season. It wasn’t until 44 minutes that Aycliffe created any clear chances as Bishop cleared off their line three times in 30 seconds. HT 1-0. A few tactical changes at half time paid dividends. Jack Mortimer was finding space against their right back, first beating the man before dragging his shot wide. Again, he took the defender on but this time he was brought down for a penalty. Jack dusted himself down and stepped up and slammed home the penalty. From this point it looked like only one winner with Aycliffe dominating the game. However, the game remained level and straight into penalties. First Reed scored; Bishops first penalty Adam saves it. Second penalty Niall Douglas blast home, second Bishop penalty Adam saves. Third penalty Jordan Wintersgill scores. Third Bishop penalty scores. Up stepped Jack to win us the game, never in any doubt, he scores 4-1.
MOM: Cameron, Jamie and Martin.
Wear United Women 1 v Newton Aycliffe Women 2
Aycliffe started brightly and were getting in behind the Wear defence but could not find a way past the keeper. A through ball into Kate in the box and a blatant foul brought her down, penalty, not today, not seen by the Ref. After this the play started to get scrappy and a hopeful ball over the top from Wear caught the defence and the keeper out and they go 1-0 up. Aycliffe were rocked and the game continued to be scrappy, HT 1-0. Kate now moved to the middle of the front three, got free of her marker in the box, a brilliant chipped pass from Katie and a perfect volley from Kate and it was all square. Aycliffe now on the front foot, subs now brought in and again an immediate impact, Alex played in Morgan just on side and she sticks the ball into the corner from the middle of the box. Aycliffe now slowed the game down to good effect, then breaking on the counter and coming close on a few occasions. However, no more goals and Aycliffe took the 3 points and stay top of the league. POTM went to Jess, playing left wing back she looked after the ball well and did everything we asked of her, most of the good play came from Jess.