Gallon Wel pleased with Cup hat-trick
THE Newcastle Schools’ Under-11 Bob Maddison City Knockout Cup has reached the first-round stage - and there have been some tremendous ties.
Welbeck played host to St Oswald’s and there was an initial stalemate before St Oswald’s began to dominate.
A through ball from Ethan Bell put Jake Gallon clean through - only for Fauad Ahmed to pull off a brilliant save.
For a long time it looked like a contest between Gallon and Ahmed.
Gallon would be put through, only for Ahmed to pull off save after save.
Saints’ pressure finally told, though, just before the end of the first half.
Ahmed saved from Will Elliott - only for the rebound to bounce to Gallon, who pounced to make it 1-0 at the break.
Welbeck had to push forward in the second period in search of the equaliser and this meant, with Bell in dominant form at the back, St Oswald’s could catch the home side on the break.
This they duly did, Gallon racing through twice to make it 3-0 and complete his hattrick.
Welbeck then threw everything at St Oswald’s and put them under great pressure.
Kyle Coburn had a shot which hit the bottom of the post before being hacked clear by a defender for a corner.
The St Oswald’s goalkeeper managed to get a foot to one shot and turn it round the post for a corner.
Finally, Coburn broke through the Saints’ defence to reduce the arrears.
Unfortunately, this proved too late and it was St Oswald’s who progressed to a tie against St Catherine’s.
In further first-round games, Gosforth Junior defeated Sacred Heart despite a spirited performance in goal by Heart’s Thomas Johnson.
St Mark’s went through on penalties against Stocksfield Avenue after a 1-1 draw.
St Mark’s just scraped through the preliminary round after extra time against St Lawrence’s and now play Hilton in the second round.
There was a very sporting game between Dame Allan’s and Walkergate, the latter winning 3-0
They now host Royal Grammar Junior School.
In the second round there will be an interesting clash between holders Cragside and Gosforth Junior, who are this year’s city and county Danone Nations champions respectively.
THE Under-11 Leagues in the west of Newcastle resume next week after the school half-term holidays.
The Girls’ West League kicks off again on Tuesday and the Duffy League resumes on Thursday, both at Walbottle (4.00 starts).