After the crushing 2nd defeat of the season the week prior to Morpeth, Newcastle Men’s 1s made the long away day trip to JPA’s other pitch. The spirits may have dropped after last week, but they wouldn’t be down for long as everyone arrived for the local derby.

After last weeks antics, Huddersfield’s finest Ed Sephton made sure he was the first one in the changing room leaving no doubts on his appearance this weekend. The atmosphere was set quickly in the changing room with the sound of the Rasputin drums and Nathan demonstrating dance moves that doubled as a warmup.

With Nathaniel absent this week, the pre match chant was led by vice-captain Lawson, needs work… but didn’t fall flat! The match started quickly with multiple attacking chances from the high pressing front 3, holding the opposition in their own half for the majority of the first half. We might have started a little too quick and aggressive that someone ended up fouling their own teammate (how I got nominated to write this report).

After a very brief spell of nobody being able to put a name on a ball. Somehow fumbling the ball all the way back to our defence, after that scare the attacks quickly built up again. Multiple attacks into the D, just missing that crucial finish as multiple shots went wide or saved by the keeper. But in a moment of glory Joe got his first goal for the 1s managing to sneak one in on the near post putting us 1-0 up early!

After missing the game last week, Lawson made his return to the pitch after a substitution in the first half. He was then quickly subbed off again after a bit of an argument with an invisible step…? Play proceeded with the possession staying high for Newcastle and being rewarded with a short corner. I was nominated as the stopper for this short corner, after not even considering the possibility of this situation, my stopping skills were very rusty. However, John adapted very well to the terrible stop and sent a screamer into the top right corner. First half ending 2-0.

Starting the second half with a mix up of the formation, with Ed filling in the left-wing role very well, Nathan dubbing him the Bulldog as he charged forward! The 3rd goal came after the season long wait for the 2 forwards to finally link up! A deflection Infront of the keeper, falling to Ben to bring the score line to 3-0, then quickly followed by a brilliant run by Robin, making his way through the entire team to unselfishly give Ben his second goal of the day.

After a strong first half, the opposition were tiring but we kept the momentum going! So much so that Robbo found himself standing on the goal line with the ball under his feet, unfortunately no champagne moment for him this week! Paddy “headband” Bennett then scored his first goal of the day, can’t seem to stop this kid from scoring. A second goal from Paddy came as a result from a prime example of “our game”. A lovely, placed pass from John, to myself, squared to Paddy waiting on the P-spot who swiftly put it away.

6-0
The boys were down but we’re not out! HOWAY THE TOON!