Saints’ City Cup win proves extra special
STORM Gareth could not stop an enthralling game in the Newcastle Under-14 Meadow City Cup final between St Cuthbert’s and St Mary’s.
The latter were looking to win the City Cup for the third year in a row - but needed extra time to edge home 5-4.
St Mary’s were quickly on the front foot.
Nathan Nkunku had a shot which hit the inside of the post and bounced to safety - much to the relief of St Cuthbert’s.
That relief did not last long as Jack Delaney found space to drill the ball home to open the scoring.
Shortly afterwards Nkunku made it 2-0 and it looked as though St Mary’s were going to run away with the match.
Gradually, though, St Cuthbert’s came back into things and it was no surprise when Nicholas Bollardo broke through and beat the goalkeeper to reduce the arrears.
In the second half, with the wind at their backs, it looked as though St Mary’s would dominate.
However, St Cuthbert’s pinned them in their own half and the pressure paid off when Paul Dudgeon equalised with a fine header and then Bollardo added his second to put them ahead.
Shortly afterwards Jakub Zych made it 4-2.
St Mary’s in desperation started using the strong wind and a longrange effort from Nkunku found the net.
This prompted St Mary’s to shoot on sight but the equaliser eventually came when Nkunku was judged to have been brought down in the box and he got up to convert the resulting penalty.
This took the game into extra time and this period was just as close as normal time.
St Cuthbert’s missed a glorious effort before St Mary’s went up the other end and another long-range effort from Ben Gallon evaded the St Cuthbert’s goalkeeper to give his side the honours.
■ NORTH Gosforth Academy have reached the semi-finals of the ESFA Under-16 Small Schools Premier League Cup.
They will take on Our Lady’s RC High School from Manchester on Monday at the Daren Persson Stadium in North Shields (2.00).
■ NORTHUMBERLAND Schools FA are holding their Inter-Association Finals next Saturday at the Longbenton Sports Ground.
The under-13 and under-14 finals kick off at 10.00 and the under-15 decider is at 10.30.