At last all our leagues are up and running, despite some of our teams being short of some players due to local restrictions in Newton Aycliffe.
The Russel Foster Saturday teams, started last weekend with some great performances:
U12 Girls 5 v 2 Washington
The girls were in good spirits despite the cold. With two late drop outs we had only nine players available and no subs. However, Washington found themselves in the same position. We chose to play against the wind first half, meaning second half, with tired legs, we had the advantage. Aycliffe were first to every ball within the first 20 minutes. The girls had to let the ball do the work and read the game well. The girls worked hard and managed to score two great goals within the first 10 minutes. The final 10 minutes of the first half was little more end to end but we got a third in the last 5 minutes, only for Washington to go and score just before half time. Half time 3-1.
In our last league game this was also the score at half time and we came away with a draw. The girls had a lot more grit and determination this week. Washington found the first goal of the second half but the next twenty minutes were spent in and around the Washington box, with only the odd break out, but our defence stood strong. With five minutes to go we had hit the post and managed to score a further two great team goals. Full time 5-2 and the girls definitely deserved the win.
POTM went to Demi Lee this week for her excellent work in midfield, pressing but also there to defend when needed, well done.
Goals: Freya x 2 Polly x 2 and Faith.
Middlesbrough Women U16’s 2 v 1 Aycliffe U16’s
A trip to Middlesbrough for our second game after restart, against one of the teams that will be in and around top spot at the end of the season.
Aycliffe started under the cosh in the first 15 minutes, but grew into the game as it wore on, reducing Middlesbrough to speculative shots from outside of the area. The girls grew in confidence and started making chances of their own. However, we conceded to a fast through ball and a good finish, 0-1, closing stages of the first half and Hattie gets away from her markers but can only find the post. Some great football then finds Kate at the back post but she too finds the woodwork.
Second half and things are looking better, back four competing and midfield dominating more, forwards looking good on the counter. Several more half chances come and go, then, against the run of play, a high shot, buffeted by the strong wind, loops over Lailas head 0-2. The girls did not give up and Hattie gets us back into the game, with a cool finish 1-2, and in the dying minutes we go agonisingly close with Kate & Katie.
Full time 1-2 – doesn’t feel like a defeat with some great football, work rate and attitudes. Tough opposition, but we will take points and upset some big teams this year.
Velocity Predators 4 v 2 NAYFC U12’s Eagles
Team: Kian, Liam, Zac, Kai, Olly, Harvey, Will, Hamza, Harry and Adam.
An early start for a 9am kick off in Sunderland, with problems on the road enroute there was very little time left to warm the boys up. We struggled to find composure when on the ball and weren’t passing. Velocity simply passed round us and at half time we found ourselves three goals down. Second half started much better and the boys began working as a team. We were passing the ball and attacking and soon were rewarded when Olly smashed the ball into the back of the net 3-1.
We were awarded a free kick which Liam took perfectly, Will shot but it just went over the bar. Velocity then came at us, all Eagles getting back to defend and somehow managed to give away a penalty. However, despite the best efforts from Kian, they found the back of the net 4-1. The boys kept going, trying to get more goals and were again awarded a free kick. Will stepped up and, with a fantastic effort, caused their keeper to make a great save. A ball over the top found Adam who ran at the keeper, the keeper came out to tackle Adam and took him out, but the ball deflected to Joel who had continued his run forward and slotted it home to get the second for the Eagles. 4-2 Full time.
NAYFC Angels Blue v Hartlepool Pools Youth Blue
After a couple of weeks of internal club friendlies, it was great to be back to competitive football, and this was a great game. Just 9 Angels were available today, so it needed to be a good shift from all of them. It was superb. Sophie started the game as our keeper and did a great job in an uncomfortable position for her. Despite having no subs, being able to unleash Sophie on the game in the second half resulted in an immediate impact. She chased, harried, set up chances and scored our opening goal.
Ella showed great reading of the game and distribution from defence in the first half. Evie asked to play centre back for the whole game. She showed discipline, resilience, great timing and good distribution. Erin grew into the game. At times her touch and passing was first class.
Isobel, our captain for the next few matches, broke up the opposition attacks time after time, distributed brilliantly from midfield – rarely giving the ball away. Hannah made loads of runs with the ball, creating attacks, but also taking much needed pressure off the defence. Unlucky not to score. Heidi, always a great engine, but above all a superb team player. Macie is always an attacking threat, unlucky not to score with a great strike from distance hitting the post. Charli took two great free-kicks. A sighter with the first one, but was unlucky as the second rattled off the bar. She scored a deserved goal and was equally effective in defensive and attacking positions.
The game itself was influenced by the wind but the girls dominated the second half to ensure they had another positive result.
Darlington FC U10 Girls v NAYFC U10 Angels
Another tough test for the girls today against an experienced Darlington team. The Angels came off the pitch with big smiles and are showing constant improvement in every game. Parents Star Player: Marley, for two well taken goals; Coaches Star Player: Maddy, who did an outstanding job in the right back and central defence positions.
Other Saturday Results
Aycliffe U13 Girls 2 v 5 Leam Rangers Girls
Aycliffe U14 Girls 2 v 6 Stockton Girls
Aycliffe U16 Falcons 0 v 5 Felling Magpies White
TJFA Sunday – Aycliffe U10’s Eagles v Hartlepool FC
Team: Charlie, Dylan, Carter, Dan K, Evan, Riley, Lucas, Jayden, Dan C, Brandon, Nathan and Krystian.
The Eagles started well from the kick off, pressing well and not allowing the opposition time on the ball. Within four minutes Carter played a great ball up the right to Nathan who skipped past the defender and used his speed and strength to get a fantastic cross over to Riley who had also made the run forward and he buried the ball into the back of the net.
Hartlepool applied pressure wanting to get an equaliser, making Dylan and Carter work very hard, but time and time again they both won the ball and played it out to their team mates. Within another five minutes the Eagles had created a number of chances but it was Nathan who got the second for the team.
Lots of changes of players at half time to give everyone time on the pitch. In the second half, Hartlepool came back onto the pitch and the game was end to end initially, but it was the Eagles who got the third goal of the game from Jayden. The Eagles were dominating again, Jayden hungry for more goals making it difficult for the opposition from the kick off. The ball, out of their keepers hands, fell to Brandon in defence who found that he had loads of space in front of him, encouraged to run with the ball he sped down the wing, took on the defender and with a great shot got his name on the score sheet. Hartlepool, still not giving up, played some passes around the Eagles and their striker grabbed a goal. The Eagles, however, again attacked, Evan managed to get his foot round the ball and get the fifth goal for the team. Great team performance from the Eagles.
Aycliffe Under 11 Eagles v Darlington 21st Allstars Colts
The team were up against it in their first league game at 9-a-side, even before kick off. With four players self-isolating, one ill and another unavailable, Youthy managed to field the nine players they needed, albeit with no substitutes. Both teams started brightly, but Youthy edged the opening encounters and took the lead with Noah scoring. The next 15 minutes saw Allstars create numerous chances, and not only equalised, but deservedly took the lead. Swapping players around at this point did the trick, with Evan scoring quickly. Again Allstars continued to attack and their striker found himself one on one against Harry, who made a fantastic save and resulted in Youthy countering immediately, with Evan scoring again, taking Youthy into half time ahead. The start of the second half saw a more clinical display from the boys, creating numerous chances and keeping Allstars in their own half for long periods. A second goal for Noah, one for both Edward and Posi gave them a healthy advantage. The boys understandably started to tire in the final 10 minutes, but dug deep and despite a well taken free kick to get one back for Allstars, Youthy saw the game out, with many collapsing to the floor at the final whistle – after a mammoth effort from all
Adult Teams
Sunderland West End 2 v 2 Newton Aycliffe Women
Newton Aycliffe made the trip to Sunderland to face a new team in the league but a team with good pedigree as the first team play in the premier league of the northeast regional league.
Unfortunately Newton Aycliffe started slow and Sunderland made the most of their first half advantage, racing to a two goal lead. Newton Aycliffe then woke up, a couple of through balls from Vicky and Annabelle resulted in some good efforts but Sunderland defended well. Newton Aycliffe forced five corners and the fifth corner found the back of the net, Amber floated a perfect ball into the middle of the box, Vicky beat her marker to the ball and calmly guided her header into the corner of the net, 2-1 at half time.
Newton Aycliffe started the second half with another cross from Amber, met by Christy in the box, controlled well under pressure and fired home for her first and Newton Aycliffe’s second, 2-2. Now Newton Aycliffe were looking for the winner, narrowly missing on a few occasions. Midfield were pushing forward. Sunderland had a few chances but the defence stood strong, Courtney also pulling off some great saves to keep the score level. Full time 2-2.
The women overall deserved more from the game but it wasn’t to be, a great performance but a disappointing result. After a slow start to the league the women are starting to play the football we all know they can play and are slowly starting to turn the season around, 1 point this week, let’s make it three next week.
