Bumper entry kicking in for sevens contest
SCHOOLS FOOTBALL
NEWCASTLE Schools’ ESFA Danone Nations mixed seven-a-side competition starts this week.
As a result of a high entry, the tournament will be staged over three nights.
Walbottle Campus is the first venue on Wednesday (3.50).
Gosforth Academy plays host the following night (4.00).
The last qualifying night is on Tuesday, October 1, at Walker Riverside Academy (4.00).
The winners of each group will progress to the Finals Night on Monday, October 7.
■ THE Newcastle under-11 girls’ trials have now finished.
The management team of Michael Moran, Garry Marshall and Jessica Cowling have selected the following squad: Abigail Gray (Hilton), Stacey Mendo (OLSA), Jess Telfer (St Bede’s), Eve Pattinson (Walkergate), Scarlett-Rae Belshaw (St Alban’s), Evie Teah (St Alban’s), Lexie Sweeney (Gosforth Central), Krystal McGlen (St Michael’s), Jodie MCartney (Walkergate), Bethany Ridley (St Alban’s) Maya Jammo (Walkergate), Libby Weighell (St Mark’s), Christina Aniamai (St Michael’s), Maisie Jones (Gosforth East), Kaitlin Heslop (Hilton), Natalia Campbell (Hilton), Olivia Dunn (St Alban’s), Bella Abdullah (St Charles’), Summer Douglas (Knoplaw) and Isla Cook (Gosforth Central).
For the first time Newcastle will have a B team.
Moran said: “It has been the hardest year for picking a squad as the standard has been higher than previous years.
“So it is fortunate we are going to have a second team.’
The A team has been drawn at home to Stockton and the B squad away to East Northumberland B in the first round of the inaugural Tyne and Wear Knockout Cup.
■ Newcastle Under-14 Boys continue their trials on Monday at Red House Farm FC (4.00).
Newcastle Under-13 Girls complete their trials on Tuesday at Benfield (4.15).
■ THE new format for the Newcastle Schools Leagues continues next week.
The under-12, under-13 and under-14 leagues have been divided into two divisions, the top two from each league meeting later in the season.
The games are played at a central venue with two or three games per night.
Kenton are the hosts on Tuesday for under-13 fixtures.
The under-12s are in action for the first time on Thursday at Excelsior, St Cuthbert’s and Walker.
■ THE draw has been made for the preliminary round of the ChronicleLive Under-19 County Cup.
Ties, to be played by Friday, October 18, are: Benfield v Monkseaton, Emmanuel v TyneMet, QEHS v Whitley Bay, Gosforth v Astley.
Last-16 draw: Kenton v Prudhoe, Cramlington v St Thomas More, St Benet Biscops v Ashington Academy, Walker v RGS, Jesmond Park v QEHS or Whitley Bay, Ponteland v Emmanuel or TyneMet, Duchess v Gosforth or Astley, NSB v Benfield or Monkseaton.