N&SA Junior Match Reports 14 January 2008

3:37pm Tuesday 15th January 2008

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Norton U11A's travelled across to Ferryhill to play Town in TJFA League Division 2. The pitch had only just passed a morning inspection and conditions were far from ideal as the pitch was already like a gluepot before kick off. Norton made two changes from the previous weeks Cup win over Seaton as Taylor Heslop came in at right back and Josh Greenan got a deserved start on the right wing. Norton took the game to their hosts from the off and Harvey Swann saw a shot well saved by the Town keeper. Next to try his look was Sonni Coleman who linked well with Michael Graham before shooting narrowly over the bar. Norton were having a lot of success down the left hand side with Josh Rayner and Harvey Swann linking well. From one attack Swann slid the ball through to Rayner who finished with a hard and low shot across the keeper and into the far corner of the net to give Norton the lead. Norton's midfield looked solid with Joe Randall and Graham battling hard and winning plenty of ball and when Town did break through the defence was clearing everything that came their way. Norton then created two good chances to increase their lead but the Town keeper pulled off a couple of great saves from Swann. The half ended with Norton 1-0 ahead. Norton started the second half poorly and could not get their passing game going but for all Towns possession they did not really create any clear cut chances. Josh "mini" Greenan was having a super game for Norton and it was taking two men to try to stop his attacking play. A half chance then fell to Coleman before a Ben Kemp shot was well saved. Town were also looking dangerous and Keelan Buckingham had to be on his toes to come out and see off the danger, he then made a good save diving full length to stop a goal bound shot. Norton then sprang forward and Mini beat two men before lobbing the ball over the keepers head only to see it crash back off the crossbar. Norton replaced the tiring Michael Graham with Aaron Thompson and Jason Vaughan replaced Nat Twizell. With the game heading into its last 10 minutes it was Town that were pushing for an equaliser and only some solid defending and assured goalkeeping were keeping them at bay. After what seemed an eternity the referee brought the game to an end with Norton holding out for a 1-0 win. Team: K Buckingham, T Heslop, N Twizell (J Vaughan), B Kemp, B Phillips, J Rayner, J Greenan, M Graham (A Thompson), J Randall, H Swann & S Coleman. Thanks to the other lads that travelled but did not get on. A solid if not spectacular performance from Norton who had to dig deep to hold on for a 1-0 win. Both teams had found the going hard on a full size pitch that was like a gluepot and very sapping. Norton created 3 or 4 good chances in a very tight game and it was a neat finish from Josh Rayner that won them all three points. A special mention to ALL the defence who held strong and only really allowed Ferryhill half chances, when Town did break through Keelan Buckingham was assured and his handling was excellent in the far from ideal conditions - a massive well done in keeping a clean sheet.. Best on the day for Norton were Keelan in goal and Josh "mini" Greenan who had his best game yet for Norton. Best trainer of the week was Matthew Foy. Welcome back also to John Bousfield who had taken a few months out to concentrate on his table tennis and he is now ranked third best in the country at his age group - Well done John.

Under 9A's - In very blustery conditions the game kicked off with Norton immediately on the attack and James Cartwright setting Norton's tone for an attacking game of football. Norton passed the ball around well and looked dangerous but were unable to create any clear shots on target. It was Seaton who were first to shoot on target forcing Norton's keeper, Lewis McDonald, to make two good saves. James Cartwright and Harry Savage continued to torment with excellent midfield and forward work but with some strong defending from Seaton the first half ended 0-0. The second half saw the game develop in to a very good open game of football with both teams creating chances. Seaton took the lead following a good pass and move sequence. The shock of the goal lifted Norton's game and saw James Cartwright score to equalize after an equally good pass and move sequence. Norton quickly took the lead after Man of the Match James Cartwright's strong weaving run saw him shoot at goal. The shot was saved well by Seaton's keeper but he could not hold the ball. Daniel Pattison had continued his run into the box and was on hand to put the rebound in the back of the net. Seaton continued to press and with a mad scramble in the box looked like they were going to equalise but the ball was eventually collected by Norton's keeper.

Norton Ladies entertained highflying Nissan from north east regional league, Norton took lead on 20mins after a Rebecca Oliver shot was pushed out by keeper but only as far as Rachel Horsley who calmly slotted home. Nissan levelled after 30mins and took the lead on 45mins. With this been Norton's first game for 5 weeks it showed as they tired in the second half, however they never gave up and Emma Graham made a surging run from halfway to slot the ball past an advancing keeper. A creditable performance against a well organised and match fit team.

Top of the league Norton 11B's welcomed second place Hartlepool juniors, Norton unbeaten in the league and only dropping points with a draw away to Hartlepool looked to the fixture expecting a tough game. With both teams taking to the pitch Norton kicked off into the wind and planned on playing football straight away the ball was passed back by Norton's Callum Musgrove. Callum played the ball forward mounting a Norton attack which shaped the rest of the game a well practiced move by Norton saw a breakaway down the right hand side Danny Watson getting behind the defenders putting the ball across the face unfortunately coming to nothing. Norton's unchanged defence of Callum Musgrove, captain Lucas Connor, Oliver Crisp and Kieran Anderson looked composed at all times staying solid marking well and distributing the ball well using the wingers, playing the ball to feet. Norton's wide men Jamie Graham and Jordan Ormerod pushed the ball forward and put balls into the box. In the middle Sam McNiff and David Cooper were superb controlling the play pushing Norton forward. Norton's first goal came from midfield David Cooper took control of the ball and with great vision played a ball wide to Jamie Graham with Danny Watson already on his run. Jamie played a ball over the top Danny Watson ran onto the pass, swung at the volley missed and with the defender beat hit the ball into the back of the net. Pools took the restart and never looked comfortable on the ball with Norton closing down giving them no time on the ball. Sam McNiff with his usual hard tackling dominated the midfield on the right. Jamie Graham was having a great game linking up fantastically with Danny Watson, whenever Pools attacked the Norton defence, looked composed and if under pressure put the ball into touch. With no variety in Hartlepool's throws after their first, Norton knew exactly where to be and David Cooper took possession time after time. Norton's second goal of the game came from a Hartlepool throw. Again Cooper took possession and switched the play to Jordan Ormerod. Jordan pushed goal ward and crossed the ball to Tom Wing. Tom turned and had a crack at goal and a good save by the Pools keeper saw the ball come back out with a pools clearance. David Cooper drilled a shot from 20 yards into the bottom corner. A superb goal with the Norton spectators in raptures pools took the restart and pushed Norton into conceding a corner. Tony Colby saved well showing his determination to win the game with the half time whistle blowing Norton went in 2-0 up. In all honesty it could have been more. The Hartlepool keeper frustrating the Norton forwards with some excellent saves. Hartlepool kicked off the second half and pushed forward having a go at goal. Tony Colby collecting with ease, Norton looking like league leaders played the ball round well putting some great passing moves together. Jordan Ormerod on the left looked to be at his best creating chances for Norton back line played a high line holding Hartlepool in their own half Norton had many chances in the second half. Tom Wing and Danny Watson both testing the pools keeper but it was Jamie Graham who opened the scoring for the second half, again the Watson Graham link-up worked a treat. Danny pushing forward attacked his marker and slid the ball to Jamie Graham. Jamie pushed into the box and hit the ball hard past the pools keeper taking the score line to 3-0. A dominant display by Norton continued to cause problems for pools. Danny Watson again frustrated by the Pools keeper who was in fine form. Norton's fourth goal of the game came when Sam McNiff won a tackle in Norton's half. The ball running away was won again by Sam then a third time with Sam able to feed the ball to David Cooper. Norton attacked and Cooper played the ball to Jamie Graham who made no mistake taking the score to 4-0. Pools kicked off again and Norton were not finished. David Cooper came off injured with 10 minutes to go after coming off second best in a 50-50 tackle. Bradley Walker came on and slotted in straight away and Norton continued to play well. Hartlepool did have half chances at goal and one effort took a superb save from Tony Colby diving to his right tipping the ball round the post from the corner Norton were on the attack a ball through the pools defence saw tom wing sprinting towards goal with a touch past an advancing keeper tom slotted the ball towards the empty goal unbelievably the ball hit the post and went out for a goal kick tom did everything right just a bit unlucky. Although Tom didn't score, his off the ball runs opened up the defence for Danny to have his chances. With the full time whistle blowing, Norton celebrated knowing that they had just taken their lead at the top to nine points. A fantastic team performance everybody playing great football. Norton dominated from start to finish a resounding win yet again the match report is dominated by Norton's goals but Norton's defence need to be recognised and rewarded Lucas Connor and Oliver Crisp a great partnership solid and dependable Lucas leading his team giving instructions left back. Callum Musgrove never panicked under pressure and picked out the pass instead of hoofing the ball up field as did Kieran Anderson at right back well done lads a clean sheet against the top two scorers in the league.

Norton U9B's started well in the cold and windy conditions, some good passing in midfield between Bobby Laud, Matty Graham and Kai Watson brought a couple of early chances for striker James Winship. Barnard Castle took a while to get into the game but when they did get into the box they found it almost impossible to beat goalkeeper Ben Thornton who had a fantastic game. First goal of the game came after a good passing movement down the left and from 15 yards out James Winship hit one of the goals of the season with a sweet left footed drive into the roof of the net. Half time saw the injured Booby Laud replaced by Matty Randall on the left side of midfield. Again Norton took the game to Barnard Castle with great passing and team work. Barnard castle tried to catch Norton on the break but Matty Wilson (man of the match) and Josh Davies held firm. James Walmsley came on in place of James Winship in the hope of pushing Barnard Castle back. Two minutes from the end Barnard Castle took a corner from the right and from a fortunate deflection Jack Lee headed the equaliser from one yard out.

The U13's travelled to Brotton hoping to start 2008 with a win and duly came up with the goods with an emphatic 4-1 win in horrible conditions. The amber army started bright with the wind at their backs and Blakemore crossed for the prolific Liam Woodhouse to finish. Blakemore again caused problems down the right and another wicked cross was finished by skipper Max Craggs. Brotton then scored a well taken goal before parity was restored as Lancaster set Aidan Cattermole up to finish well. In 2nd half both teams did well to play football in windy conditions, but Norton sealed it as MOM Nathan Lowe sent Woodhouse away and he finished with an awesome finish.