Wearing Poppies with Pride
Last weekend saw our teams wearing their poppies with pride as they acknowledged the 100 year anniversary of the end of WW1. In remembrance, the teams held a minutes silence before all games. We thank our players, parents, carers, coaches, referees, volunteers and the leagues for showing such deep respect all weekend. Lest we forget.
NAYFC U11 Eagles 4
Gateshead Whites 2
We started the match on the front foot straight away, creating chances with excellent link up play from Isaac, feeding the flanks and bringing Harry and Alex into play. We missed a few chances early on and the opposition had their own chances on the break, with Jude standing strong in goal. The breakthrough came from the penalty spot, with Declan calmly slotting it home past the outstretched keeper. It wasn’t long before we made it 2, a good passing move between Alex and Declan which resulted in a cross to the far post which Jake fired in past a defender and the keeper. The game evened out with both sides having chances, but we managed to take a clean sheet into half time thanks to some great work from Moore, Kai and Tyler in defence. The second half started brightly and it wasn’t long before we got our third goal, with Yousef playing the ball through to Alex who put it through the keepers’ legs. Gateshead pressed, causing us problems and managed to pull a goal back. We looked good going forward; Isaac working tirelessly as always, Will with great footwork around the box and drawing defenders in, Declan driving forward with the ball, some good headed clearances from Zach helping to keep the pressure off and Sam chasing down everything. We missed a few chances but kept going forward. Will played a ball through the defence for Alex to run on to and slot home for our fourth goal. We were then caught on the break, and although Tyler did a great job of chasing back from the half way line, the forward just got ahead of him – Jude came off his line well but could do nothing about the finish. The game ended 4-2, with both teams having chances.
Man of the Match was Kai for the second week in a row; looking solid, making good decisions, covering across the back line when needed and bringing the ball well out of defence – great performance.
Eaglescliffe 5
NAYFC U8 Eagles 4
Another really positive display from the ever improving U8 Eagles. The boys started really well, with a great run down the right from James, pushing Eaglescliffe back and a great pass found Evan to put us a goal up. Five minutes later, great play again from James, found Evan unmarked for him to get his second goal of the game. We were on top and playing some really good football on a poor pitch, we just could extend our lead. In the blink of an eye it was 2-2 and this is how it remained until half time. The second half saw us coming out positively, but found ourselves 3-2, we were still trying to pass the ball but Eaglescliffe caught us out and went 4-2 up. We reduced the deficit to 4-3 with a well taken goal by James. Eaglescliffe again went another goal up, but we pushed on with James driving past their defender but was fouled in the box. He got up and calmly smashed home the penalty taking the score to 5-4. With two minutes remaining we were on top of play and had chances to take home a well deserved point, but unfortunately the bounce of the ball just didn’t go our way. Another cracking performance, and on another day we may have won today. Two goals each from James and Evan. Man of the Match was Evan.
NAYFC Women 11
East Durham Bluebells 3
Today we hosted East Durham who we had beaten comfortably earlier in the season. The women were pressing from the first whistle and it paid off after just a minute, when the ball was floated in perfectly for Amber to chest in from close range. It took 20 minutes for the next goal, but it was worth the wait – a great passing move starting from Nicole at right back and finishing with a great strike from Matilda from outside the 18 yard box. Minutes later, following a goalmouth scramble, the ball fell to Lottie at the edge of the box and she took her chance leaving the keeper with no chance – taking the score to 3-0. East Durham forced a corner, which somehow curled directly into the far post taking the score 3-1. Just before half time Katie received the ball on the left, drove into the box and placed the ball in the bottom right corner. 4-1 at half time. The second half started slow and East Durham capitalised with a well worked move, which was finished from close range. We made a few changes, with our new signings Chelsea and Zoe making an impact, pressing for another goal. In the 56th minute we were awarded a free kick at 25 yards out. Amber stepped up and struck the ball sweetly into the top left corner leaving the keeper standing. Katie grabbed her second goal two minutes later taking the score to 6-2. Aycliffe pressed the ball hard and found themselves on the attack, a deflected shot was turned in at close range by Chelsea to get a goal on her debut. The women were now starting to enjoy the game and play with confidence. A through ball for Naomi was cleared by the keeper but only as far as Lottie, who at 40 yards out struck the ball with her weaker foot on first touch, finding the bottom corner and the scoreline 8-2. Next to fire one from outside the 18 yard box was Amber – a cracking shot to make her first hat trick for the Club. Good work from Naomi forced a corner, Lottie curled it in at the near post (it may have hit a defender but Lottie was awarded the goal and a well deserved hat trick). 10-2. East Durham got a third goal on 80 minutes, but Aycliffe immediately responded. Chelsea found herself free on the edge of the box, she saw the keeper off her line and calmly lobbed the ball into the net – her second goal and taking the final score to 11-3.
Great game today. We tried some players in new positions to give us more options for the rest of the season, well done everyone. Tough game next week against unbeaten Darlington, but we go into it on a good run of form.
If you or a member of your family are interested in playing football and being part of our club, please visit our website nayfc.com where you can find lots of information and links to teams.