Russell Foster Under 13s League cup final

Darlington Wearside Youth 1 Consett AFC Bulls 0

Prior to the match team coach Daren Robertson decided to plan his strategy for this game. A review of the Russell Foster website located the Consett AFC Bulls in the Russell Foster U13 second division. However their record this season so far showed: Played 12. Won 12. Lost 0. Goals for 66. Goals against 12. Goal difference 54. Considering these statistics it was obvious that, two divisions below or not, Consett knew how to find the back of the net and how to keep the other team from finding the back of their net. This in itself afforded the Consett team some respect in Daren’s planning.

With this in mind Daren started as usual with his back line up of Lucas Reed, Thomas Nesbitt and Keiran Devlin.

Because of the constant rain on Friday the game was re-scheduled from the Russell Foster Centre at Newbottle to the all weather 4G pitch at Durham FA.

The pitch was wet and the ball was re-bounding off the surface at a fast pace.

It was this wet and fast surface which assisted in the first goal for Darlington Wearside Youths. The ball was collected deep inside the Darlington half and carried forward by Thomas Nesbitt. Nesbitt saw an opening down the centre of the pitch and passed a superbly weighted 40 yard pass directly into the path of the advancing Ryan Smithwhite. Smithwhite collected the ball and continued his forward run confidently beating the Bulls goal-keeper to make the score on three minutes:

Darlington Wearside Youths U13 1 – Consett AFC Bulls U13 0.

The game continued with both teams collecting the ball and the usual short passing game was replaced by longer passes by both teams. However the Darlington team were having slightly the upper hand.

On 8 minutes the Bulls were awarded a free kick and the ball was sent into the Darlington goal mouth this ball was cleared by Lucas Reed.

On 16 minutes a foul on Jamie Dodds resulted in a free kick from 25 yards. The free kick was taken by Dominic Agnew but again was blocked by a Bulls defender.

On 20 minutes another free kick from 35 yards taken by Lucas Reed was again blocked by a Bulls defender.

On 28 minutes a Bulls forward unleashed a strong shot from 25 yards. The ball was struck with force and hit the ground about two yards in front of the Darlington goal-keeper Alex Bates. The ball re-bounded off the ground with speed and Bates kept his eye on the ball and with safe, strong hands parried the ball round his right post to safety.

In open play neither team was giving an inch. Both teams were quick to the tackle and closing down the other team’s outfield players. The ball was passed about the pitch with force and accuracy by both teams. Both teams produced some (crunching), (legal) tackles worthy of this cup final.

Such was the pace of the game the first half ended with only the one goal being scored.

Darlington Wearside Youth 1 – Consett AFC Bulls 0.

The game continued in the second half as much as the same as the first half.

On 40 minutes Darlington’s Jaxon Briggs sent a shot from about 40 yards. This shot was again blocked by a Bulls defender.

On 44 minutes a Bulls forward ‘jinked’ and swerved his way into the Darlington box. The forward got off a decent shot which was heading goal ward but again keeper Alex Bates was alert and kept his eye on the ball and safely turned the ball aside for another Bulls corner.

The clearance from the corner was passed forward to Daren Robertson whose shot was fired across the face of the Bulls goal.

Another free kick by Dom Agnew was again blocked by the Bulls defence.

On 55 minutes goal-keeper Alex Bates was again the Darlington saviour when a Bulls forward found himself collecting a free ball two yards out after a Bulls corner. The forward deftly flicked the ball which looked to be going goal ward. Bates blocked the ball with his feet and this generally proved to be one of the last attacks of the game.

The game ended Darlington Wearside youths U13 1 – Consett AFC Bulls 0.

This game was a game worthy of the Russell Foster U13 Cup Final.

Both teams produced some great football and adapted well to the weather conditions which produced a fast paced pitch.

Both teams tackled well and were quick in the attack. The passing was strong and well weighted and accurate.

While neither team was dominant the Darlington team perhaps had the upper hand and the score line of 1 – 0 was a true reflection of the game.

The Russell Foster U13 cup was presented to the team Captain Finn Illingworth at the end of the game.

Well done boys.