TJFA and Russel Foster Cup weekend for five of our teams brought a mixed bag of results. Darlington Youth 2 v 3 Aycliffe Youth U12’s Aycliffe started very slowly and were soon punished by going 1.0 down. With Darlington wanting it more added to our lack lustre display and we soon went 2.0 down. A couple of positional changes at half time and a reminder to get the tackles in we started off the 2nd half on the front foot and the urgency to win. The rewards came with Jack Clarkson scoring just inside the post. Brennan Fitzpatrick added the equaliser before Kieran Walton completing the job with a hard earned winner.
FT 2-3 U10’s Eagles 1 v 1 Redcar (Aycliffe win 3-2 on penalties) A scrappy game with neither team taking real control – we did look better when we started stringing a few passes together but it took a moment of brilliance from Noah with a half volley on the turn from the edge of the box to get our only goal just before halftime. With Ashton, Jack and Owen battling hard in midfield and Sam and Joe just about handling everything at the back it looked like we would hang on for a 1-0 victory. Then as last week, a loss of concentration gifted Redcar a goal with the last kick of the game.
Extra time saw no more goals so we went to the dreaded penalties, A couple of well taken penalties from us and a couple of unbelievable saves from Dan saw us wrap it up 3-2 with a penalty kick to spare. U13’s Eagles 1 – 3 Trimdon United. Eagles started a little slowly but were a match for the opposition. Both teams had a couple of chances but Trimdon took the lead. The Eagles were then awarded a free kick outside the box. Joe Halford had a good shot saved by the Trimdon keeper but then Trimdon hit us on the counterattack. They quickly got the ball down the other end and calmly slotted away their opportunity.
HT 0-2. Into the second half and Trimdon grabbed a 3rd. With 12 minutes to go, Rhys got the ball at his feet and beat his man before slotting a good pass into Adam Lowe who finished well from the edge of the box. However that was the final score 1-3 Under 17s 3 v 5 Haughton Albion, Away to a team a league above us so a good test of where we could be next season. The opening 30 minutes we were by far the better team and got our reward when Sam Thompson got our opening goal. Their keeper then pulled off 3 great saved to keep them in the game HT 1-0. They started the second half the better and put us under pressure and we conceded a penalty for their equaliser. This lifted Haughton and with in 10 minutes two individual mistakes cost us 2 goals and we found our selves 3-1 down. Jay Bateman 20th goal of the season grabbed one back with a good header.
Haughton then scored followed by a quick reply from Aycliffe. Haughton then stretched their lead with another individual mistake by us, but with 5 minutes to go Ben Knights scored, 3-4, but it was left to Haughton to have the final word and go through to the next round – FT 3-5. Under 16’s 4 v 2 Great Ayton A close first half with a goal from Joe Fawcett saw the game at evens 1-1. The second half continues with both teams creating chances but neither could score so the game went into extra time. Aycliffe then took control with 3 unanswered goals from Wilson, Breckon, and Fletcher before Great Ayton grabbed a consolation near the end. A hard fought result but the reward of league cup semi final in the new year. U10 girls 4 – 0 Washington Another strong performance from the girls this week – all working hard throughout, never giving up. A second hat trick in as many weeks for Imogen and a goal from Libby gave us the win, but every girl played their part with Keira and Phoebe in defence helping Chloe towards another clean sheet. Heidi as the backbone of midfield allowed the younger players Lilly, Fearne and Gracie to move around the pitch creating chances. A good team performance all round. For further information about our FA Charter Standard Community Club visit our website www.nayfc.com or contact Berni 07939 045242
