Match Reports 17 September 2007

Norton U10A's went on the attack from the off. It didn't take long for Mitch Little to open the scoring. Norton then played with a lot of confidence with Joe Thompson and Michael Walls crossing in some great balls. Ben Jackson controlled the centre and some great defending from Cameron Wilson and Matthew Bowman kept Fishburn out. Mitch Little then broke away and scored his second and then more goals from Cameron Wilson, Michael Walls and Mitch Little completing his hat trick. Also new signing Callum Brentley came on and impressed with a great team performance. League Cup Fishburn 0 N&SA 5 The newly formed Norton Stockton Ancients under 9 'B's took on Mount Pleasant Rangers in the first round. Norton's Matty Randall played out of his usual position and stepped in as goal-keeper with a deserving clean sheet during the first half. The pace accelerated in the second half with Bob Laud giving 110% earning him our man of the match with Josh Davies holding up the defence. Late in the 2nd half, a momentary lack of concentration from Norton lead to Mount Pleasant taking full advantage of a home team free kick with a well placed goal. The end result did not reflect Norton's Commitment & play. Final score 0-1.

Norton travelled across to Heighington for a TJFA League Cup First round game. First impressions were of the pitch - which must be the smallest in any league. Norton made a few changes due to unavailability, illness and a few of the lads carrying colds. Norton lined up with a 4-4-2 formation. The game started with Norton pushing forward and neat link up play between Harvey Swann and Ben Kemp set up a half chance for Joe Randall but his shot was well wide. From a move down the right the ball was hit to the back post were Ethan Oswald smashed a volley wide. Sonni Coleman was causing problems with his power and almost muscled a chance for himself but good defending snuffed him out. Norton's defence had looked solid until the 18th minute when a chance to clear the ball was not taken and it fell to a Heighington forward who hit the ball high into the net. Norton then found themselves camped in the opposition half but for all their endeavour they could not find an equaliser and it was Heighington who almost doubled there lead but a magnificent diving save from Keelan Buckingham kept them out. HT 1-0. Norton made a change at half time with James Derbyshire replacing Jason Vaughan on the right. Norton continued to get forward and won a speight of corners but no-one could get the final touch. Then an in swinging Harvey Swann free kick was headed narrowly wide by Nat Twizell. Next it was Harvey to go close when he beat his man cut inside and unleashed a dipping shot which smacked against the post - on another day the ball would have either went in off the post or fell to a Norton forward to poke into the net but it was not to be. Then a powerful run by Joe Randall saw him out strip the defence to unleash a thunderbolt which hit the keeper in the face without him knowing much about it. With most of the game being played in the Heighington half the hosts were struggling to create any chances but from a corner they scored a hotly disputed second goal. The ball was hooked off the line by Aaron Thompson but the referee awarded a goal much to the amazement of everybody including the Heighington players and parents. Ethan Oswald was replaced by Matty Foy in a vain attempt to get back into the game as Aaron Thompson pushed into midfield and Michael Graham went up front for the final ten minutes to give Norton a 3-4-3 formation. Still the chances came as Michael Graham prodded wide from an Aaron Thompson cross and the hard working Sonni Coleman shot wide. FT 2-0. Team : K Buckingham, A Thompson, Nat Twizell, B Phillips, M Graham, J Vaughan (30 mins J Derbyshire), B Kemp, H Swann, E Oswald (50 mins M Foy), J Randall, S Coleman.

For the second week in succession it was missed chances that were to cost Norton. The defence looks solid and the football up until the final third of the pitch is good but Norton must take there chances. Keelan had a great game in goal with one superb save, Michael and Ben were solid in the centre, Nat was steady and was unlucky not to score. For the second week running Azzer had a great game. In midfield Harv was unlucky not to score on a couple of occasions and struck a post, Kempy powered forward and won everything in the centre, Jason was quiet but Ozzy had a couple of decent volleys narrowly wide. Up front Joe and Sonni need to play more as a partnership and work together but if the chances keep coming it wont be long before they are on the scoresheet. Best on the day for Norton were Michael Graham and Ben Kemp.

In a midweek fixture N&SA U9A's entertained Middleton Rangers in round 1 of the League Cup. Middleton Rangers took an early lead in the first half with the majority of the Norton players making a slow start. Norton were shook by the goal and started to play much better, creating plenty of chances but were unable to score. The second half saw Norton continuing to press and Harry Savage scoring the equaliser. Both teams showed excellent commitment and hard work to try to score the winner both creating chances to score. The game went into extra time and was played in the right spirit - a credit to both sides. Norton had the majority of possession and Middleton had to defend well. The closest of the many chances Norton created came from a driving shot by Andy McCreesh which Middleton's keeper pushed onto the bar. Middleton did have an opportunity to win the game but Norton's Oliver Walls deflected a clear chance out for a corner. A very tense penalty shoot out followed with Norton winning 2 -1 on penalties with Norton's keeper Lewis McDonald saving two of Middleton's penalties. Man of the Match for Norton went to Michael Andrews who came on at half time and tightened Norton's defence.