The Y7 team travelled to Valley Gardens on 9.1.25 in the first week of term, to play their much anticipated League Cup Quarter Final (which also doubled up as a league game too). Despite a close call with the weather, their 3G pitch managed to thaw in time for us to squeeze a game in - despite the 'feels like' temperature being -5C!
After a short warm up, Valley got us underway. One change from our rampant victory over Burnside was the return of Leon in goal after his injury lay off. The opening spell was as always, intense, with neither team creating any clear opportunities. Neither team managed to keep the ball too well as the energy and pressing was high. We were tight at the back, throwing in some crunching tackles, and did our best to adapt to a fast surface moving forward. After a couple of half chances, it was a Longbenton corner that would provide the first threat at goal. It was taken short by Jacob P, worked back to him where he floated a first time cross to the back post, where Garrick dominated his marker in the air to head (or shoulder) home to put us 1-0 up in 20 minutes. After the usual delirium, we settled in again and kept things tight before half time, giving us a tight lead heading into the break.
After a short discussion praising the performance so far, the lads also highlighted where they could improve, and set about putting it into action. Again, it was a tight affair in the second half, with a few half chances for both sides not taken. Midway into the second half, a loose kick from their goalkeeper fell to Jacob P's feet, where his first touch was immaculate before he struck a rocket into the top corner from 30 yards out! An outstanding goal to take us to 2-0. This seemed to settle the team for the next 5 minutes as we tried to take full control of a fairly even game so far! Valley changed formation, leaving 2 at the back with 3 in midfield and 3 up front, meaning our lads had to adapt on the pitch to overloads in forward areas. As our striker dropped in to help defend the midfield, it created issues moving forward and eventually, Valley got a chance to pull one back with a free kick just outside the box with 8 minutes left on the clock. Their lad bent one around the wall destined for the top corner, only for Leon to gain wings and tip it past the post with a stupendous save! After a barrage of pressure, a strike off the post, and more half chances, we tried to hit on the counter to wrap up the game. A short press from midfield created a loose ball about 25 yards out, where Joey S latched onto a wonder volley into the top corner to put the cherry on top of the cake and make it 3-0!
We managed to see out the last 3 minutes with a clean sheet, helping us to an impressive 3-0 victory. The lads were absolutely outstanding, throwing themselves into tackles and blocking shots on a freezing evening, and playing some more magnificent football along the way. Their resilience, determination and teamwork levels were off the charts! So it's another 3 points on the board, and into the League Cup semi finals for the Y7 team.
Mr Mooney
