Norton & Stockton Ancients
N&SA Junior Match Reports 14 April 2008
Norton U13 Girls were overpowered by a superb Cestrian Girls team. Despite a bright first 10 minutes, once Cestrian scored there was no way back. There were some good individual performances from Basnett and Saunders for Norton. Norton were given a lesson in passing and moving by a strong and determined Cestrian Girls side. It seemed that every mistake made by Norton in their 18-yard box, was ruthlessly punished, by some very clinical finishing. Norton continued to work hard, but without any reward, half chances for Thomas and Naisbitt were not converted. Norton were 6-0 down at the break, and unfortunately started slowly and found themselves 8-0 down with still another 30mins to play. However, some deeper reserves were found, and Norton fought their way back into the match, creating several chances, but unfortunately they were not able to take any of them. Things could have been much worse for Norton if it was not for a fine display in goal from Saunders. Basnett in the midfield was tireless. Cestrian Girls vs Norton 0 - 10. A real lesson for Norton, from which, hopefully, they will learn.
It was a workmanlike performance against a very determined Amazon's side. Although only 1-0 up at half-time, it should have been by two or three more; Norton 13 Girls dominated the second half, as they had the first, and scored another three well made goals. Norton played some excellent football at times, with some great passing and moving. Basnett again was in fine form, making several good runs, and making crucial tackles. Thomas too was in good form, distributing the ball well. Lorna Bell was very industrious in the first half, making some telling runs down the left, and setting up Naisbitt who was not able to convert. Then, just when it seemed as if Norton were not going to score in the first half, despite having 90% of the possession. However, Naisbitt had other ideas, winning the ball 25 yards out, and then battling around two Amazon defenders before crossing for Thomas to score from the edge of the area. The second half was a repeat of the first, with Norton dominating almost every area of the pitch, only a confident display from the Amazon's goalkeeper keeping Norton at bay. Norton finally broke through after an hour, when the ball fell to Watson on the edge of the Amazon's area, who chipped the ball over the goalkeeper into the goal. A third soon followed after a great flowing move down the left-hand side, an accurate cross from Lorna Bell straight to Thomas who rolled the ball over the line. The fourth goal came following good work from Basnett and Thomas to set up Naisbitt whose shot from the edge of the area found the bottom corner. It was a sound performance from Norton, who are finishing the season strongly. Norton & Stockton Ancients vs St Cuthbert's Amazons (Girls U13) 4 -0
Norton U11A's faced table toppers Brinkburn in a rearranged TJFA Division 2 game. Norton welcomed back Josh Rayner after he missed Sundays loss at Allstars through illness, Nat Twizell dropped to the bench. Norton kicked off and took the game to Brinkburn from the off. Harvey Swann, Sonni Coleman and Josh "mini" Greenan were showing good movement upfront and causing the Brinkburn defence problems. Some good play down the left involving John Rayner and Harvey Swann saw Sonni Coleman go close. Norton looked assured at the back with Ben Phillips and Kemp putting in some good tackles ably assisted by the gazelle like Joe Randall whose pace was a real asset at the back. Norton then attacked from the right as Jason Vaughan set Coleman away and his cross was narrowly missed by Greenan. But, with 15 minutes on the clock Norton got the goal there play had deserved. Again the move started down the left with Rayner setting Swann away and his pinpoint cross was turned in by "mini" Greenan. Brinkburns only real threat had come from a couple of long range shot which were well dealt with by Keelan Buckingham in Norton's goal. Norton continued to look assured and with Michael Graham sitting in front of the back three allowing Aaron Thompson to get forward the formation looked solid. Norton grabbed a second goal when the hard working Coleman intercepted the keepers throw, won a crunching tackle with a defender and set Greenan away for a simple tap in, "minis" goal but down to Sonnis hard work. The half ended with Norton well on top and 2-0 to the good. HT 2-0. The second half started and Brinkburn were pushing on trying to get back into the game. Some great tackles by the two Bens Kemp and Phillips kept Brinkburn at bay but they were pushing men forward pushing Norton back. It took a few minutes for Norton to get a foothold again but when they did good work down the left saw a cross shot from Rayner go narrowly wide. Soon after a Swann cross shot was narrowly wide again, then a scramble in the Brinkburn box was almost turned in by Coleman. Norton were pushing for the killer third goal and it came when Rayner set Harvey Swann away and his cross shot was deflected into the back of the net. With a three goal lead Norton dropped back to a 4-4-2 formation but this only allowed Brinkburn to push the defence further back as they pushed more and more men forward. With ten minutes remaining disaster struck when a shot from distance was well saved by Buckingham but the rebound was neatly tucked away by an onrushing forward. Norton replaced the tiring Aaron Thompson with Nat Twizell who slotted into the defence. Brinkburn now had the bit between there teeth and five minutes later they pulled another goal back when the ball was only half cleared and a low hard shot beat the unsighted Buckingham. It was backs to the wall but Norton still sprang forward and a great ball from Graham set Swann away but he shot narrowly wide when one on one with the keeper. Norton saw out the final few minutes thanks to a superb last ditch tackle by Randall as a forward broke through and held on for a deserved three points. FT 3-2.
Team : K Buckingham, B Kemp, B Phillips, J Randall, J Vaughan, J Rayner, A Thompson (N Twizell), M Graham, J Greenan, H Swann & S Coleman.
A superb performance against a team that had only been beaten once in the league in the previous 18 games. The first half display was one of the best this season with everyone playing there part and the lead could have been more than the 2 goals that Norton scored. The second half started well but Brinkburn got back into the game in the final ten minutes with two well taken goals, even so Norton still created enough clear-cut chances to have scored a couple more goals themselves. The defensive three again looked very solid, the midfield did a good workman like job and the forwards caused havoc and looked dangerous all game. Best on the day for Norton were Ben Kemp at the back with some great tackles, Josh Rayner down the left was dangerous all game and Jason Vaughan down the right who looked cool, calm and assured.
NSA U9A's, sponsored by Stockton Market Traders, final league game of the season was away to Greatham who kicked off the game and immediately attacked Norton's goal but fired over the bar. Greatham continued to dominate for the first five minutes but Norton's midfield of Harry Savage, Michael Andrews and Josh Birtles soon began to win the second ball and play James Cartwright into the game who twisted and turned Greatham's defence. It was Savage and Cartwright who chased down the Greatham defence and harassed them into loosing the ball to James Cartwright who cooly slotted the ball past the Greatham keeper. Greatham mounted a spirited attack but this was stopped by a fine diving save to his right by Norton's keeper Lewis McDonald. Norton's midfield continued to dominate and win possession and into stoppage time, Cartwright broke away with only the Keeper to beat but the referee blew for half time.
The second half saw both teams making tactical changes which allowed Norton to defend Greatham's attacks comfortably and break away quickly. As the game progressed a lot of the action was played out in midfield with both teams competing for the ball. Deep into injury time a long goal kick from Norton's keeper cleared Greatham's defence and with one bounce Cartwright volleyed a shot which was well saved by Greatham's keeper. Norton's Man of the Match was awarded to Michael Andrews for his competitive and disciplined display throughout a tough game. Greatham 0 - Norton 1.
After beating league champions Brinkburn in midweek it was after the Lord Mayors show for Norton U11A's as they slumped to defeat against Stokesley B. Michael Graham gave Norton the perfect start slamming in from the edge of the box but it was a lethargic display that saw Stokesley score three second half goals and run out deserved 3-1 victors. Best on the day for Norton was Michael Graham.
Team : K Buckingham, B Kemp (D Gardner), B Phillips, J Randall, M Graham, E Oswald (A Thompson), J Rayner, J Vaughan (N Twizell), J Greenan, H Swann & S Coleman.
12:21pm Monday 14th April 2008
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