North’s boys Riding high after a victory
UNDER-18S FOOTBALL
THE Northumberland FA’s under18 representative team wrapped up a vital 2-1 win against West Riding FA in their final fixture before the festive break, writes DAN SIMMONITE.
First-half goals from Will Jenkins and Michael Woods were enough to maintain the squad’s unbeaten start in the Association of Northern Counties East Division.
Under the watchful eye of interim manager Ian Skinner, Saturday’s triumph enabled North to go top of the table with seven points from three games.
The former Blyth AFC coach said: “First of all I think all credit has to go to the players, they came into what were difficult circumstances.
“I chose the team based on the knowledge I had of the players available prior to first meeting them just before kick-off.”
With normal personnel missing, Skinner opted to hand the armband to New Hartley’s Robbie Christie, who led the county side to an early twogoal advantage.
However, West Riding grabbed one just before the break in the form of a long-range strike which nestled into the top corner – robbing North’s Liam Renwick of a first clean sheet.
The game progressed in the second half with chances for North to extend their lead but the extra goal was not needed as the whistle blew at Whitley Park – granting the home side all three points.
Skinner added: “I thought we played really well in the first half and were the better side.
“On another day I thought we could have scored two more goals and we conceded a bit of a poor goal just before half-time.
“We could have killed the game off but became a bit nervous towards the end.
“However, again credit to the players because they stuck to the task and won the game.”
Next on the agenda for North is a trip to North Riding FA in January, a crucial fixture with the Yorkshire outfit hot on their heels – just a point separating the two teams.