By Jason
Newton Aycliffe Whites v Consett Warriors
Final Score: N. Aycliffe 2 – 9 Warriors
PITCH conditions after a night of relentless rain, the downpour continued into matchday.
Despite the soggy weather, the pitch held up surprisingly well—wet underfoot and muddy in the goalmouths, but playable across the majority of the pitch. Pre-match message “Start fast, stay tight.” That was the call.
First 10–15 minutes: intensity up front, discipline at the back. Let’s see how the boys responded…
The Match, although the conditions were tough, it was the same for both teams. We started like I asked. We were quick and our ball play was excellent. In the first couple minutes, Lewis, Jack and Dylan were excellent with their triangular passing and moving. Jack was then able to play Zach down the right who then squared it to Dylan, who shot at goal. The keeper pulled off a good save but only for it to fall in the path of Elliott who made no mistake slotting it home. What a great start, with an incredible team goal. 0-1.
A few minutes later the opposition got down our left- hand side and somehow were awarded a free kick for hand ball which I felt was very harsh. The opposition, to be fair, delivered a great ball into the box. We should have dealt with it better but it came off the shoulder of one of our defenders and went in. 1-1.
The Warriors started to quickly find their rhythm. One big advantage for us is Gabriel’s distribution, when he has the ball in his hands. He played a fantastic long ball down field. The bounce caught out the opposition and Zach with a clever touch was straight through on goal. He put it high out of reach of the keeper. We were back in the lead. 1-2.
As the half progressed, both teams were trying to play good football and it was really nice to watch. We continue to gel as a team with our defence pair of Olly HL and George, really starting to build strength as a pair and with Bradley playing in front of them, they were very strong. Almost half way through the first half Gabriel played another long ball straight down the middle. Zach took it under control, played it over the head of the first defender, then put it past the second defender and buried it with his left foot. What a fantastic goal. 1-3.
Three quickly became four. Shortly after the restart we were able to pressure the opposition back. Zach was then able to steal possession and drive straight for goal. A cool finish past the keeper got him his hat-trick. 1-4
We were not done. Some determined play in midfield saw Oliver retrieve possession and was able to play a neat ball through to Zach who lifted it over the keeper. 1-5. As we headed towards half time the boys continued to push themselves and play good football. Just before half time a clumsy bit of play saw the opposition have a clear chance to score. Dylan, as brave as a Warrior, threw himself in front of the shot and we were able to clear. Amazing work. Half Time 1-5
Half-Time adjustments, we pushed the defensive line higher and tightened the midfield gaps. It gave us more control and limited the opposition’s time on the ball.
Second half- the benefit of our squad is that we can make great changes to our team. It’s a long season and we need everyone as fresh as possible. The second half we were a bit more conservative at first but then got into our groove. More determined play on the right from Teddy allowed him to play in Zach into the box. Zach put it past the keeper with his left. 1-6
A short while later we moved Teddy into the middle of midfield. His desire to drive forward saw him deliver a lovely little cross into the box that was met by the head of Oliver. A fantastic goal. 1-7
The rain never let up – and neither did the Warriors. We were able to push the opposition back and we had free kicks and corners that allowed us to pressure the opposition and cause them more problems. Cassius even found time to play some keepy-ups when playing out from the back. Jacob at the back was blocking and preventing the opposition from playing down our right, Ryan was finding his feet in the middle of the park with some great interceptions and passes and Karam was finding some space to drive down the right causing the opposition some real problems.
We progressed our play and a movement on the left saw Elliott play a ball through for Zach to run on to and again lift it over the keeper with his left for his double hat-trick and hat-trick of left foot goals. 1-8.
Another corner into the box was played out into the path of Kailym who hit it fantastically making the keeper pull off an incredible save. On another day it’s going in. As we headed to full time the boys were not done. Some fabulous individual work from Zach saw him drive though the opposition defence and smash it past the keeper. 1-9.
Full time was on the horizon and I think we had some tired legs. We should have played the ball forward but were caught in possession. The opposition stole possession and drove down their right playing a good ball into the box. It bounced to one of their front players who hit it well getting their second of the game and pretty much the last kick of the game. 2-9.
Full time 2-9. In conditions like today it’s about getting the job done. What was so encouraging is that we did that but still tried to do it in the right way, playing good football. Reflections In tough conditions, the boys delivered—playing with purpose, style, and togetherness. Two games, 21 goals scored, 3 conceded. We’ll keep tightening at the back, but our defensive shape is giving us the platform to play.
Team: Gabriel, Lewis, Cassius, Olly HL, George, Jacob, Teddy, Oliver, Bradley, Dylan, Karam, Elliott, Kailym, Ryan, Zach, Jack. Goals: Elliott x1 Zach x7 Oliver x1 Assists: Dylan x1 Oliver x1 Teddy x2 Elliott x1 Gabriel x2
MOTM: Dylan.
