Gos are spot on to seal victory at Finals Night
THE Newcastle Schools Under-11 Mixed Danone Nations ESFA Final Night proved a tighter competition than the girls’ tournament the previous week.
It was the same format as the girls, with six teams being split into two groups of three - all of whom had qualified through the group stages.
In Group One, St Vincent’s and Gosforth East Middle School played out an entertaining 2-2 draw.
The challenge of St Vincent’s fell at the next hurdle when they lost 2-0 to Walkergate.
This meant the last game would decide who would go through to the final - a draw being good enough for Walkergate.
However, it was Gosforth East who took an early lead and it looked as if this would be enough to progress.
Late in the second half, though, Walkergate notched twice to take control of the group with a 100% record.
Gosforth East finished second on goal difference from St Vincent’s.
Group Two was just as tight. English Martyrs - with Ellis Gates impressing had most of the possession against Kingston Park but were unable to turn it into goals.
They hit the woodwork and Harry Snaith, in goal for the Park, pulled off great saves before being carried off with a head injury after a brave stop at the feet of an English Martyrs’ forward. The game finished 0-0.
The second game in the group between English Martyrs and Gosforth Junior Academy went the same way chances missed at both ends as it finished 0-0.
The last match between Gosforth Junior and Kingston Park was to prove the decider.
English Martyrs would only have a chance to go through if the game was a 0-0 draw.
A win for either would have put them through with a score draw leading to a play-off.
For a time it looked as though English Martyrs would progress but Gosforth scored just before half-time and then added another two counters in quick succession.
Park fought back but they were only able to pull one goal back.
This meant Gosforth Junior finished top, English Martyrs second and Kingston Park third.
In the fifth/sixth play-off, St Vincent’s defeated Kingston Park 3-2 on penalties after a draw.
English Martyrs triumphed 1-0 against Gosforth East in the third/ fourth play-off game.
The final was another close encounter and it was Walkergate who went closest in the last minute when their forward went clear - only to blaze his effort wildly over the bar.
The match went to penalties for the second year in a row.
Walkergate stepped up first and Max Campbell in the Gosforth goal made a great save.
Gosforth stepped up for their first penalty and duly dispatched it.
Walkergate’s second penalty sent the goalkeeper the wrong way but rattled the post and rebounded out.
This meant if Gosforth put away their next spot kick they would be the winners - which they duly did.
They will now represent the city at the forthcoming County Finals.