Heighington Under 8’s continued their sensational pre season form away to Mount Pleasant in Darlington on Sunday. Heighington started on the front foot passing the ball around confidently and looking assured at the back with Kenzie White – one man defence.
Heighington had several chances hitting the woodwork twice, forcing the opposition’s keeper in to some great saves. They took the lead thanks to a great finish from super sub Layton Collier. Jay Bulch then finished neatly before acrobatically adding his second and Heighingtons’s third to win 3-0. Jay Bulch and Kenzie White shared the man of the match award
The second game saw Heighington run riot winning 8-0. Thomas Graham opened the scoring, Joe Neild added a second before Graham made it 3-0. Two long range strikes from Joe Neild made it 5-0, before Maddox Harcus scored his first goal for the club after a flowing move involving Graham, Collier and Neild. Joe Neild made it 7 before Collier wrapped up the victory with a great volley. Man of the match went to Maddox Harcus and captain Joe Neild
Under 11’s 3rd division side entered Trimdon’s annual tournament on 11th July against teams from div 1 & 2. They lost their first two games and it was looking like Heighington would be one of the first teams to be leaving due to the poor start to their play, but after a team talk from the manager and coaches the lads switched on and went from strength to strength with a 4 game unbeaten run including as goalless draw against league one Champions Whinney Banks which placed them in the semi-final.
The boys were now facing the unbeaten Golden Flats who are also a top flight team in the Semi-final, could we really do this? The boys played their hearts out with unbelievable football and determination and won the game 1 nil to reach the final.
Once again the boys found themselves facing league one champions Whinney Banks but held their own and pushed them all the way only to be beaten narrowly at the end by one goal. At the final whistle instead of jubilant celebrations our boys were given a standing ovation from the winning team, their manager, coaches, parents, tournament organisers and the referee who also congratulated them, which in itself shows how close we came and how well they played and how far they had progressed throughout the day.
Manager Gary Fraser said the boys were unbelievable and feared no team on the day. The effort the whole team put in was tremendous and they should be very proud of themselves and to reach the final is a great achievement. We look forward to the new season with a great set of lads with great team spirit