Swalwell U12's 6 Darlington U12's 2

League Shield

A very early start for the lads, 9:00 kick off, up the A1 at Blaydon.

From the kick off the lads looked up for it, within the first 5 minutes pressed the ball up the pitch from the left and the right hand side from Spencer McCabe and Tommy Ord respectfully. Ethan Routledge went down in the centre circle just after the first 5 minutes with a knee injury and had to be taken off the pitch. Down to eight men, Darlington battled on, with Ethan receiving treatment from Lee Nicholson, but the extra man proved too much and after quarter of an hour went 1-0 up.

Darlington started again and Ethan returned to the pitch, the lads relaxed into the game. Some great link-up play from the right hand-side from Lewis Smith and Tommy Ord.

Chances came from both side with some great defending form Sam Pollock, Josh Bell and Lewis Smith. Spencer McCabe switched to the middle, with Dylan Nicholson switched to the left wing. Dylan then played a defence splitting pass to put Jack Harland though on goal to make it 1-1. Swalwell pressed from the kick off but Josh Bell played it clear to Spencer, who played a high ball up the pitch to Dylan Nicholson, who made it 2-1.

Swalwell U12's 1 V Darlington U12's 2

During the half time team talk, Ethan Routledge received further treatment and although still carrying a niggling injury, insisted on seeing the remainder of the game out - top lad.

As expected, Swalwell came out fighting, but the defence coped with attack after attack. Jack Harland went clean through from a great Spencer McCabe pass, but only to see the effort go narrowly wide.

With very tired Darlington legs and two players carrying injuries, Swalwell went on the attack and score two goals in quick succession, 3-2.

Heads dropped and Swalwell attacked again and again, bringing fresh legs on to substitute their tired ones, the lads began to flag and two more goals were scored.

Tommy Ord dropped to left back and Sam Pollock moved to midfield, Lewis Johnstone made some great saves to hold the attackers out. The lads started to try and get back into the game with Jack Harland, Dylan Nicholson and Spencer McCabe all having shots, but Swalwell added a 6th one minute before full time to nail the match.

All in all the 9 men battled and gave their all in the match but injuries, fatigue and up against a full squad of Swalwell players had its toll, well done boys hold your heads high!!

Swalwell U12's 6 V Darlington U12's 2