Teams facing a final reckoning
THE qualifying groups for the Newcastle Schools’ FA Under-Nine Tournament Finals have been staged.
St Cuthbert’s Kenton went into the final match against St Mark’s with the same number of points but with a better goal difference.
It was St Mark’s who took an early lead and it looked as though that was going to be enough to top Group One.
However, St Cuthbert’s rallied to equalise.
A draw would have taken them through - but a last-ditch effort from St Mark’s resulted in a goal and victory to take them to the Finals night.
Group Two went to the last game as well.
Knoplaw took on Throckley knowing they had to win because Throckley’s goal difference was better than theirs. They delivered in style to win 1-0 and clinch a place at the top of the group.
Group Three was a bit more clear-cut as Farne triumphed over Sacred Heart.
The other three groups were played on the second night of competition.
Group One was a battle between Dame Allan’s and Royal Grammar.
Royal Grammar took an early lead in the group with victory over West Walker while Dame Allan’s drew with them.
Draws followed in the next two games and then Dame Allan’s gained a victory over West Walker to take it to the last match against Royal Grammar.
A draw would have knocked Dame Allan’s out but they took an early two-goal lead.
Royal Grammar pulled one back but then ran out of time to find the equaliser.
This meant Dame Allan’s finished top of the group and knocked the holders out.
Group Two was just as tight with Regent Farm gaining two victories over Tyneview and drawing with St Oswald’s.
St Oswald’s dropped points against Tyneview and this took it to the last match.
In the end Regent Farm won 2-0 to take top spot and push St Oswald’s into the runners-up spot.
Out of six games in Group Three, five ended in draws.
The only succss went to Kingston Park when they beat Byker to take them through as champions of their group.