Five-a-side competitions attract a huge entry

NEWCASTLE Schools FA host both their ESFA under-12 five-a-side competitions on Wednesday at Soccerworld on Westgate Road.

The boys’ and girls’ competitions will both take place at 1.00.

Organiser Will Hogg said: “There is a record number of entries this season, especially in the girls’ competition.

“St Mary’s have won the boys’ competition for the past three years but Kenton might have a good chance of being victorious this year.

“Sacred Heart could start as the favourites for the girls’ competition.’

■NORTHUMBERLAND Schools’ teams are in ESFA National Cup first-round ties on Saturday.

The under-16 boys host Cleveland at Longbenton Sports Ground,

Newcastle University (10.30). Both the under-16 girls and under-18 boys travel to play Merseyside at Liverpool SC (2.00).

Durham also have two teams on ESFA first-round duty next week.

On Monday the under-16 girls play Humberside at Sirius Academy West, Hull (5.00).

On Saturday Durham’s under-16 boys face Merseyside at Longfield School (11.00).

■A NUMBER of local schools are in ESFA National Cup action this week.

On Monday, Monkseaton Girls take on Trinity School from Carlisle in the second round of the Under-18 ESFA Schools Trophy (2.30) while, also on Monday, Cramlington Learning Village host Monkwearmouth Academy in the third round of the Under-12 ESFA PlayStation Nine-aSide Schools Cup (1.15).

Cramlington defeated Ashington 5-1 in the previous round.

■ON Tuesday Cramllington host St Cuthbert’s in the third round of the Under-16 ESFA Schools’ Cup (3.00).

St Cuthbert’s were involved a tough second-round clash against William Howard School.

Goals from Gabriele, Appleton and Leadbeater eventually secured a narrow 3-2 victory.

Cramlington enjoyed a 7-0 success over Monkwearmouth Academy thanks to counters from Hands (3), Wilkinson, Russell, Dos Santos and Morton.