Bill Martin’s Match of the Week Under-14- County Cup Round 2 Northbank 1970 1 Northbank B 2

Last updated at 12:41, Wednesday, 04 November 2009

Northbank 1970 1 Northbank B 2: Northbank B scored twice without reply, in the second half, to deservedly beat Northbank 1970 who led 1-0 at half time.

Northbank 1970 Under-14’s Callum Denovellis protects the ball

It is usually close when these two teams meet but in the past Alan Robinson’s 1970 have usually come out on top when playing Shaun Parkins’ Northbank B.

On this occasion, however, the better team won despite going a goal behind and in the second half they scored two cracking goals and on two further occasions were denied by the woodwork when, first, the ball was headed against the crossbar and then, later on, a shot was pushed onto the post by Jason Little in the 1970 goal.

The game got off to a slow start but it was Nortbank B who made most of the early running. Kieran Perry and Ryan Pearson linked up on the right but the lively Pearson was eventually halted by the combined efforts of Luke McGill and Callum Denovellis.

Further probing by Northbank B led to a shot from Ashley Wheadon which was wide of goal. Pearson forced a corner on the right which led to a shooting chance for Ian Rudd but again the shot was wide of the mark.

Northbank 1970 were beginning to have some success on their left flank and a combined passing move involving Aaron Tweedie, McGill and Sam Routledge was eventually brought to an end by a timely clearance from Josh McStay.

Northbank B were looking the most likely to score and Little produced a brilliant tip over to keep out a fierce shot from Pearson.

Little again came to 1970’s rescue when he saved a shot from Zak Moses but Northbank B were stunned in the twentieth minute when they went a goal down to an unbelievable strike from Callum Plunkett.

There didn’t seem to be any danger when Routledge found Plunkett some 25 yards from goal.

Without a moments hesitation the 1970 striker unleashed a tremendous shot from all of 25 yards and the ball swerved and dipped its way into the roof of the net way out of goalkeeper Robbie Jackson’s reach.

Northbank B’s immediate response was to attack and Wheadon shot over after latching onto a Perry through ball.

Wheadon had a further effort saved by Little before Joe Lindon cleared into touch when Pearson and Moses were posing a threat on the left. Half- time eventually arrived with 1970 leading by a goal to nil.

Northbank 1970 had the better of the early second half exchanges with Plunkett making a foraging run on the left but he was robbed by Jack McNeil.

Tweedie then came close with a well struck free-kick that was marginally wide.

McNeil again made a good tackle to dispossess Plunkett and Northbank B gradually regained the initiative.

They were rewarded 10 minutes into the second half when Pearson scored with a superbly taken free-kick

At one-all Northbank B had their tails up and Perry caused problems when he ran at the defence following an astute pass from McNeil.

McGill had to concede a corner and Dean almost put them in front with a header, from Pearson’s flag kick, which saw the ball strike the crossbar.

Most of the play was coming from the Northbank B right but there was a change in direction when Rudd made a surging run on the left before delivering a good cross which was plucked out of the air by the safe hands of Little.

There was no let up from Northbank B and some fine play from McNeil and Perry led to Wheadon getting in a low right foot cross shot which was pushed onto the inside of the far post by the diving Little.

Northbank B eventually took the lead with a splendid long range shot from Wheadon that beat Little all ends up.

Towards the end of the game 1970 had their best attacking spell with Niall Coward breaking down the right but he was halted by McStay at the expense of a throw-in.

Josh Monk and Plunkett both shot wide whilst Ryan Given headed clear from a dangerous Plunkett free-kick.

Plunkett was the main threat but he was denied by Given who made a timely tackle and when the 1970 striker did manage to get a shot on target Jackson was equal to it.

The game was an exciting affair with all the players giving everything but in the end Northbank B were worthy winners and fully deserve to be in the hat for the third round of the County Cup.

Northbank 1970: Jason Little, Joe Linden, Luke McGill, Josh Monk, Callum Denovellis, Richard Veitch, Niall Coward, Aaron Tweedie, Andy Robinson, Callum Plunkett and Sam Routledge. Subs: Alex Bie and David Osgood

Northbank B: Robbie Jackson, Jack McNeil, Josh McStay, Jason Israel, Ian Rudd, Kieran Perry, Ryan Pearson, Ryan Dean, Ashley Wheadon, Zak Moses and Chris Gimbert. Subs: Ryan Given, Lewis Parkins and Kieran Harrison

Referee: John Boyd

Man of the Match: Ryan Pearson, mid-field, Northbank B: Ryan worked very, very hard all through the match and something was likely to happen whenever he was on the ball. He made some great runs and he scored from a brilliant free-kick and delivered a perfect corner to enable Ryan Dean to head against the crossbar.

First published at 11:37, Wednesday, 04 November 2009
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk