Norton Under-9s went into the Mount Pleasant tournament full of confidence after winning the Haggerston Castle Trophy the month earlier and they started the competition against Bedale, taking the game to their opponents with Will Turton, David Roth going close.
It took a fine individual goal from Michael Bond to secure a 1-0 win.
The second game was against Darlington Spraire Lads and was very similar to the opening game with captain Tom Blakemore and Josh Peadon working tirelessly down the flanks and Lewis Wing controlling the defence. A fine through-ball from Daniel Chesser set up Aidan Cattermole to curl his first time shot into the bottom corner for another 1-0 victory.
The Ancients were now getting into their playing pattern of attractive football with a comfortable 3-0 win over Coulby Newham B, with Michael Bond, Lewis Wing and the ever impressive Josh Macdonald scoring. Keeper Jack Griffiths was his usual solid self and gave his defenders renewed confidence whenever he was called upon.
They rounded the group stages by beating South Park Rangers 1-0 with Wing scoring direct from the kick-off. Daniel Chesser, Will Turton and David Roth controlled the midfield and Aidan Cattermole causing mayhem with his pace and clever runs.
The quarter final against Coulby A and semi against South Park Rangers were both close fought affairs, but Norton were never really out of control in both matches. Both goals coming from Lewis Wing. Michael Bond and Josh Peadon both went close with long-range efforts.
Norton were against Redcar Town in the final, on a big pitch that was always going to favour their passing and moving game. Norton should have been two-up in the first three minutes with Cattermole and Turton forcing the Redcar keeper into a fine save. Daniel Chesser worked tirelessly in the heart of midfield for Norton breaking up Redcar's attacks and also supporting his forwards. Against the run of play, Redcar took the lead only for Wing to equalise straight from kick off with a thunderous shot. Jack Griffiths then pulled off the save of the final as he some how managed to tip a fierce shot over the bar. It was turning into a tight game played with attractive football from both sides. Redcar then took the lead with the final action of the first half as a defensive error somehow squirmed into the net. Norton brought on Josh Macdonald and David Roth at half time and almost immediately this paid off as Josh Peadon found Macdonald on the right who played Roth in, only for the Keeper to save, but the ball fell kindly for Will Turton to roll the ball into an empty net. Norton were now well on top with captain Tom Blakemore beating his marker and fire in a pile driver only to see the keeper save with his legs. Finally Norton got their reward as Michael Bond found Lewis Wing in space with a lovely through ball and he kept his cool to wrong foot the goalie and slot the winner into the corner of the net and get mobbed by his ecstatic teammates.
Once again Norton's players were a credit to their parents the club and coaches with their behaviour both on and off the pitch.
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