Under 14 NABC League Cup Final 6th May 2009 

                       Newcastle City Jun v Hexham

Photo's by kind permission of Steve Miller

                            Newcastle Evening Chronicle Grassroots Photographer

Congratulations to all players, parents and supporters after this great League Cup win for Hexham. The first half was clearly dominated by, as we expected, a well organised and resolute Newcastle side that offered plenty in the way of slick passing, movement and controlled aggression. Early exchanges saw Newcastle stopped by Dylan and Ed with the linesman calling offside as a shot was fired past the far post.

Michael collected a couple of tame efforts before a 35 yard free kick was sent sailing in over his head for a 1-0 lead to Newcastle. Ed Pender managed to tame the danger Newcastle offered down their left with two or three well timed interceptions.

Sam A and Josh M ran their socks off in midfield whilst Joe and Alex Bull were playing well down the Hexham left and eventually swapping roles as the game progressed. Up front Jonathan showed some good control with the first ball but rarely did Hexham really threaten nor penetrate a good defense with Jon Armstrong (NCJ) acting as an able sweeper behind the two Newcastle central defenders. Hexham then sprang the Newcastle defense with an intelligent throw from Ed Pender which allowed Aidan Harbottle to turn two defenders across the box and stab the ball past the Newcastle keeper with 2 minutes of the first half remaining.

The second half saw Hexham take more of the play and in the first 10 minutes the team played with a more visible confidence and had the greater share of play. Alex Bull fired in a great shot to the keepers right only to see it saved at the second attempt. The turning point in the game came with Aidan making a cross field run and taking a wide shot from the Hexham left across goal which was parried by the Newcastle keeper only for Jonathan Archer to react the quickest and slide in what turned out to be the winning goal.

Not unsurprisingly Newcastle came back, eventually with a shot which looked like it was trickling into the corner of the goal only to see it go wide.
Late on with several bodies in the Hexham box a goal bound header was headed off the line by Samuel Armstrong, appearing from nowhere.

Rhys made some good breaks down the Newcastle right as gaps appeared but the team defended well to ensure a fantastic victory for the team and club.

Well done boys.