Impressive outing for victorious Seahorses

WHITLEY Bay Reserves lifted the Team Valley Carpets Challenge Cup yesterday afternoon with a dominant performance over Burradon & New Fordley, 17-year-old striker, Evan Howard, bagging a hat-trick.

A tight first half, the sides level at one apiece inside 20 minutes, Howard opening the score on 10, Scott Pocklington levelling from a deflected free-kick just six minutes later.

However, three minutes before the interval, Howard notched his, and the Seahorses second, the Bay’s second string upping the tempo after the break.

Within six minutes of the restart, Howard completed his hat-trick, the goal coming minutes after the same player had headed an effort against the crossbar and immediately after New Fordley had shouts for a penalty turned away.

Cameron Gascoigne would replace Howard late on and, having hit the bar with fifteen remaining, fired home the decisive fourth with nine minutes to go, capping an impressive outing for Gavin Hattrick’s side.

Meanwhile, three of the four Northumberland FA Stelrad Minor Cup quarterfinals took place, the battle of the two non-northern Alliance outfits finishing in a tight affair, Blyth Rangers edging hosts North Shields Community Christians, Aarron Tweddle with the only goal 10 minutes into the second period.

The game between Newcastle East End and Hexham went the distance, the sides having drawn 1-1, Will Forsyth cancelling out Lewis Laidler’s opener, the visitors going through 5-3 on penalties.

Newcastle University A, meanwhile, romped to a seven-goal victory when home to Spittal Rovers.

Four goals to the good at the break, the Uni would hit the semis with a hat-trick from Timmy Browne alongside further goals from Jos Veitch, James Coates, Harry Wood and Tom Romano.

With one quarter-final still to play, on Wednesday night, the semi-final draw for the Minor Cup, will be Blyth Rangers versus Hexham, and Newcastle Independent/west Jesmond versus Newcastle University A.