Norton U9B's showed great ability and were able to feed the ball wide to Bob laud on the left, Matty Graham on the right and with James Whinship as striker. Shots were on target but unfortunately luck wasn't. Late in the first half, Barnard castle took the lead with something out of nothing. The second half saw more chances with Kai Watson hitting the post, shots hitting the cross bar and their keeper managing to pull off three great saves. Josh Davies and our man of the match Matty Wilson showed great strength in the defence but they were unable to stop a great strike 4 minutes from time. Final score 2-0.
In blustery conditions the U9A's game kicked off with both teams up for the game. Norton's midfield surged forward at every opportunity creating numerous chances for Josh Birtle and James Cartwright. Unfortunately for Norton Seaton's goalkeeper and deservedly their man of the match was equal to everything thrown at him. Seaton also created good opportunities but Norton defended well. The second half saw Seaton take an early lead when Norton's defence were caught out too far up the field. This spurred Norton into action and with continuous pressure a corner was won which was cleared to the edge of the box falling to Oliver Walls, Norton's Man of the Match, who struck a long range driving shot which was deflected into the goal by Harry Savage to equalise. Norton continued to create chances looking for the winner but Seaton's keeper continued his excellent first half performance and it was Seaton who took the three points with a long range dipping shot which caught Norton by surprise.
Norton U12's kicked off their league campaign away to local rival's Billingham Town. Kicking into a strong wind, a well organised Norton side limited Town to a few chances and were rewarded for their endeavour with a 1-0 half time lead through a Joe Peel glancing header after a Jonny Dye shot. With the wind in the second half Norton always looked dangerous. Norton relaxed after a Lee Hastie strike put them 2-0 up and their persistent pressure eventually wore down a hard working Town team. Further goals were added by Joe Peel, Josh Dowsland and Jordan Hoggarth, to round off a great team performance and to finish 6-0 winners. Team Dixon, Mullen, Hammond, Hoggarth, Henry, Hastie, Dye, Savage, Hill, Peel, Lowe. Subs Dowsland, Spence The U13's continued there impressive start to the season with a 5 nil win over a strong Brotton side. The ever improving Liam Woodhouse scored 2 with Craggs, Cattermole and Lancaster all getting there name on score sheet. Patrick Thompson and Jordan Hallet were magnificent in the defence for the amber army NASA U15's produced a scintillating first half performance which rocked a strong Coulby team who have genuine title ambitions this season. Minto, Booth, Turner and Allison's pace and movement was too much for Coulby and they were having difficulty containing them. Adam Todd in midfield was causing lots of problems too with his strong forward runs and with Josh Sutcliffe and Jonny Lee in top form NASA were creating lots of chances. John Allison's intelligent run and lay off put in Tom Booth to slip the ball in for 1-0, Adam Todd added a second unbelievably running the full length of the pitch and firing in from a tight angle. It was one way traffic and Coulby were defending well but when Jonny Lee produced a wonderful pass to put in Booth for his second the game was effectively over. Just before half time Adam Todd completed a fantastic 40 mins when he ran through again and finished easily. NASA made several changes in the second half and the game was a bit more even. NASA had a few chances which weren't taken and Coulby managed to cause a couple of anxious moments and hit a post late on. Another towering performance from Jamie Jewson aided by Steve Curnow and Adi Nicholson kept a game Coulby at bay. Difficult to pick a man of the match with so many excellent performances but Josh Sutcliffe was once again involved in everything and was the stand out player for NASA. Final Score. Norton 4 V Coulby Newham 0 A confident Newton Aycliffe U8's started off the better of the two sides, only some fine saves from Tom Swann and determined defending from Tom Richardson and Scott Norman kept it goalless, but when the ball broke loose in the box Harry Duggan was clinical by placing the ball in the bottom corner, leaving the keeper with no chance. This woke Norton up and they started to control the midfield with Adam Graham and Joe McGluskey Norton's man of the match creating some great chances for the impressive Chris Hall and Jacob Yellow. It was this pressure that gave Norton the chance to score when Adam Graham looped a fine shot over the keepers head to equalise. Norton came out the stronger and threw everything at Newton Aycliffe hitting the post twice, with substitute Billy Sheard making some strong runs forward; this gave Newton Aycliffe the chance for counter attacks and this seem to suit their style of play. The game developed into an end to end battle with Norton's keeper Tom Swann impressing again by denying two one on one chances in quick succession. It was only a matter of time before the deadlock was broken and when Newton Aycliffe's man of the match Sam Dawson hit a shot late in the game it deflected past the Norton goalkeeper to seal a win for Newton Aycliffe.
Norton U11A's started slowly and playing against a strong wind found themselves two down within 5 minutes against Ferryhill. Norton then took control of the half and pulled a goal back before half time with a brave Nat Twizell goal. Ferryhill regained there two goal lead early in the second half but Norton stormed back with a cool Jason Vaughan finish and an equaliser 10 minutes from time from Joe Randall. A great game of football played in a good spirit. Best for Norton were Harvey Swann and Sonni Coleman.
A close exciting game, that Norton U13 Girls eventually came through to win 4-3. It was the girls' first 11-a-side league match; and having only previously played two friendlies in this format, losing on both occasions, a number of the girls were not confident of success. To make it harder they were playing a team they had failed to beat in the previous three years. Norton started brightly with an early run and shot from Maddie Naisbitt. Norton controlled the game for most of the first half, with good work in midfield from both Jess Thomas and Chelsea Basnett. Demi Nicol and Charlotte Portas provided useful outlets on the right and left of midfield; Portas especially being a constant nuisance to the Bolden defence. When Bolden did attack the Norton defence worked well together to stifle any goal scoring opportunities, with the back four of Kayleigh Draffan, Rebecca Mason, Emma Masterman and Chelsie Muirhead acquitting themselves well, making important tackles, and covering each other's positions. Following good build up play involving Thomas and Basnett; Naisbitt opened the scoring, midway through the first half, with a shot from the edge of the Bolden area, which went right into the bottom right hand corner of the Bolden goal. Although Norton were in charge of the game, Bolden forced a corner at the end of the half. Norton failed to clear the ball properly, and when it fell to the ground Bolden reacted quickest and equalised with a ferocious half volley. Norton started the second half very brightly, and again controlled the game, creating several good chances, which, unfortunately they were unable to take. Ten minutes into the half, Norton won a throw in on the right, opposite the top of the Bolden box. Dani Armstrong (who replaced Nicol at half time) took the throw-in, which was flicked into the box for Gunn to run onto. Gunn seeing the keeper diving at her feet chipped the ball low over the keeper and into the net; 2-1 to Norton. When Bolden did attack they were successfully broken up the defence. Chelsea Saunders, the Norton goalkeeper, had very little to do in goal, apart from the occasional goal-kick. Norton continued to press with Portas, Basnett and Thomas continuing to work hard in midfield, this pressure eventually resulted in a Norton corner. Portas swung the ball over, and it immediately came straight back to her, rather than crossing the ball Portas dribbled her way to the edge of the area, squared the ball to Basnett, who's low well struck shot took a deflection of Armstrong, who claimed the goal. Norton then seemed to relax, and following an unopposed run by their best player, Bolden scored to make it 3-2. Norton had barely settled when Bolden broke through again, Saunders could only parry a fierce drive, which the Bolden player responded to quicker to thump the ball into the net; 3-3. A nail biting last 8 minutes was to follow with half chances for both teams. It could have gone either way. Then with only three minutes to go, following a great passing move, Naisbitt found herself on the edge of the Bolden area, and knocking the ball beyond the Bolden defence ran on goal, the keeper dived but Naisbitt pushed the ball passed her, but to the left and wide of the goal, looking up and seeing Gunn unmarked in the area squared the ball, Gunn blasted the ball into the empty net. A tense final two minutes followed with neither side creating any clear openings. At the final whistle, a delighted Norton team shook hands with a deflated Bolden side.
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