A change of format for Cup deciders

NEWCASTLE Schools FA has revamped its cup finals this season.

Instead of having three or four finals on one night at the same venue, it is back to the old format of one decider each week at a different venue.

The first one is on Tuesday, when Newcastle School for Boys take on Royal Grammar in the Under-16 Evening Chronicle Cup.

Newcastle will start as slight favourites as they have won their own age group for the past three seasons - but Royal Grammar enjoyed a 2-1 victory against Walker in the semi-finals and will prove stern opposition.

The decider takes place at Walker Riverside Academy (4.15).

Newcastle manager Kieran Waterson will select from: Max Metcalfe, Will Varley, Oliver Fletcher, George Riley, Zak Munir, Bobby Johnson, Oliver Mullarkey, Lucas de Bolle, Jake Scott, Alex Nicholson, James Harper, William Hodgson, Cole Cartmell, Dylan Roberts, Miles Percy and Rory Nicholson.

The under-19 cup final will be staged at Gosforth Academy on Wednesday, February 27.

Kenton hosts the under-15 decider on Wednesday, March 6 with the under-14 showdown at Excelsior on Tuesday, March 12.

Thursday, March 21 is the date for the under-13 final at Gosforth, the under-11 mixed final following four days later at the Newcastle United Academy.

The under-11 girls’ decider will be staged at the Academy on Wednesday, March 27, the under-13/under-15 showdowns at Walbottle Campus the following night.

Finally, Walker Riverside Academy holds the under-12 final on Monday, April 1.

■■THE first league fixtures of the Under-11 Girls Durham Inter Association season have been played.

Holders Newcastle have taken an early lead at the top of thee table with victories over East Northumberland B and North Tyneside A and a draw with North Tyneside B.

Sunderland are in second place with two victories and have a game in hand.

East Northumberland A and North Tyneside B share third spot.

The next series of games is on Monday, February 25, at NCEA, Ashington, kick-off 4.15.