Family’s fortunes are mixed in Cup clashes
IT has been a very important week for Newminster Middle School and the McConnell family.
Morpeth-based Newminster and the McConnell triplets were in action in the ESFA’s under-13 competitions.
Lucy was playing for the under-13 girls against the National Church of England Academy from South Notts in the PlayStation Nine-A-Side Cup.
She had been in great form in the previous round, notching four goals, and was looking to continuthis form in this quarter-final.
Newminster took the lead in the first half through an Orla Callaghan goal.
National hit back in the second period to go 2-1 up before Callaghan scored again to equalise.
Newminster missed a few chances to take the lead - but it was the home team Academy who grabbed the winning goal to go through 3-2 winners.
Meanwhile, Lucy’s brothers James and Daniel were looking to go one better in their quarter-final in the ESFA Under -13 PlayStation Small Schools’ Trophy against St Mary’s from Manchester - and did so with a close-fought victory.
Newminster went on the attack from the whistle and within a minute Giorgio Larosa had a good cross turned behind for a corner.
Olly Bruce took the flag kick and it was inch perfect for James McConnell to rise at the near post and guide it home with his head.
St Mary’s finally came into the game when the ball was played over the home defence for their forward to chase but Daniel McConnell - in goal for Newminster - raced out of his box to clear the danger.
After being on the back foot for the opening part of the match, St Mary’s gradually came into the game - but it was still a shock when they equalised.
A speculative shot from outside the box squeezed into the near post past Daniel McConnell.
This was a sign for the visitors to put the home team under pressure and it paid off when their midfield player turned past Finlay Coulson to score at the near post.
Newminster were on top in the second period and anther dribble from James McConnell resulted in a pass out wide to Coulson.
His cross was missed by Lennox but Bruce came in at the back post to claim the equaliser.
Daniel McConnell then pulled off a magnificent save from St Mary’s centre-forward to keep his side in contention.
The match then went to extra time and penalties - where Newminster prevailed 4-3 to secure a semi-final spot and a good end to the week for the McConnell family.
DURHAM Schools FA have catching up to do in the Northern Counties Leagues and have just released the dates of their outstanding matches.
The under-16 and under-18 boys face South Yorkshire at GatesheadStadium next Saturday (1.15).
Two days later Durham’s under18 boys entertain Cleveland at Stanley’s North Durham Academy (8.15).
The under-16 boys and under18s then play North Yorkshire at Thirsk School on Saturday, March 10 (11.00).
Finally, the county’s under-14 girls host Cleveland at Maiden Castle, Durham, on Tuesday, March 20 (6.15).