Beamish 3 Darlington FC Youth U13 2

Squad: Lewis Johnston, Tom Ord, Jermaine Ruddick, Sam Pocock, George McCowie, Josh Bell, Jack Harland, Ben Jackson, Alex Tweddle, Luca Hendickson, Charlie Harrison and Harvey Nichol.

The lads seemed in very high spirits for this game from the off. The first 15 minutes seemed to be played mainly in the middle of the pitch, neither team breaking into the final quarter. A long ball was played over the top of the defence but keeper Lewis Johnston came out to clear with his feet. Then began the end to end game.

First, Jack Harland broke free of the defence but only to have his shot saved by the keeper. Luca Hendrickson played up the wing, he too having his run ended before the final quarter. At the other end Lewis Johnston made a brilliant save to deny the attacker. Beamish counter attacked again and made it 1-0. Normally Darlington heads drop, but not today, Jermaine Ruddick made a brilliant run down the left taking on 4 players. Josh Bell cleared his defence line to set up debutante George McCowie with a run through the defence to score a brilliant goal, 1-1. Again Beamish came out fighting and straight from the kick off, scored 2-1.

Half Time: Beamish 2 Darlington 1

Captain Tom Ord swopped places with Alex Tweddle, defence for midfield. Ben Jackson also swopped places with Sam Pocock, central midfield for right back. From the off the new midfield played well, Ord playing defensive and Pocock attacking. With confidence high the lads started passing and moving, Ord to Pocock, to Harrison back to Pocock, through to Harland and an own goal by the Beamish Defender, 2-2. Beamish attacked again down the right only to be stopped by Harvey Nichol, who has been solid in defence since his switched to left back. Jermaine Ruddick went on another run, this time down the right but was stopped by 3 Beamish players. The home team broke free against the run of play to net a third, 3-2. Beamish found their feet and attacked Darlington but Tweddle cleared his lines and Johnston made another world class save to deny Beamish a 4th goal. Darlington had 2 corners in quick concession, but to no avail.

Final Score: Beamish 3 Darlington 2

Coach Jac said “A much improved performance by all players, gradually getting there, something to build on. I am extremely proud of the attitude of the players on Saturday, stay confident lads”.