Washington NSG U18’s 4-3 Seaham Red Star FC U17’s (20/05/2021)

 Durham FA Under 18’s Sunday Cup Final

Washington NSG U18’s 4-3 Seaham Red Star FC U17’s

20/05/2021 – 7pm Kick Off

 

15, 65 Alison, 40 Mitchell, 92 Charlton  | 25 Tasker, 50 Shi, 75 Demeril

 

A wet and windy Thursday evening saw Perth Green welcome two youth sides from Washington & Seaham respectively as they competed for the Durham FA Under 18’s Sunday Cup.

Seaham were attempting to win the trophy for the second time having previously been crowned champions back in 2003 with Washington aiming to take the honour for the first time since their inception only 8 years previously having been founded in 2013.

The game started quickly and Washington playing in Red Shirts and black shorts were able to press high up the pitch thanks in part to the weather with rain lashing down on the surface and a strong wind forcing Seaham, playing in blue, back into their own half.

It was indeed the wind that helped give the NSG U18’s the lead after 15 minutes as Stan Alison swung over a cross/shot that looped over the Seaham keepers head and nestled in the back of the net. 1-0 Washington.

The next period of the game was controlled by Seaham as tried to restore parity by playing some good incisive football without being able to really threaten the Washington goal with some good defending thwarting their efforts.

Then after about 25 minutes came the breakthrough Seaham had worked for with a ball played out to left hand side of the box to Sam Tasker who instead of controlling the bouncing ball struck a sweet volley that bent the wrong for the keeper and flew into the inside side netting and the side from down the A19 were deservedly level. 1-1.

There was then a chance moments later for Seaham to take the lead with a one touch through ball being latched onto by the Red Star forward but the NSG keeper managed to save the low shot well with his legs and send the ball directly out to safety.

The last 15 minutes of the first half were then controlled mainly by Washington who themselves started playing some nice passing football and with a few minutes left of an entertaining first half a neat passing move was indeed finished well in the bottom right-hand corner of the goal by NSG’s Ben Mitchell. The first half came to an end with Washington leading 2-1.

Into the second half and it was Seaham who started the brighter of the two sides. A free kick was dispatched into the box and due to its in-swinging nature found the keeper unable to come and collect it, which left Eric Shi able to ghost in at the back post and nod Seaham back level.

NSG then managed to retake the lead for the third time, the game was by now end to end with both sides giving everything they could to get their noses in front. Despite the horrendous slippery conditions both sides were still trying to pass the ball and for the most part were able to do just that much to delight of the excellent crowd looking on.

If Alison’s first goal had been slightly unintentional then he would make sure that his second left everyone in no doubt that he meant it. As a shot came in from the right-hand side it was Stan Alison who reacted first and quickest pouncing on the loose ball and slotting home to make it 3-2 to Washington.

Thankfully however, for the sizeable and well-behaved crowd the scoring wasn’t to end there. As Seaham pushed forward, they managed to nick a corner through some nice direct play and a dangerous ball into the box was nodded home by tall centre Half Aran Demirel sparking wild celebrations from the Seaham team and supporters.

The game was now level at 3-3 and neither side would manage dominate the ball for the remaining 15 minutes of the game. It was continuing to be an end-to-end affair with anyone’s guess at who or could go and win it.

The answer came in the 92^nd minute with Jarrow lad Daniel Charlton finishing from close range after the Seaham keeper had made another decent save. 4-3 with seconds remaining and it looked to be the winner.

There was almost an immediate response from Seaham however after the number 9 chased a long ball forward but Washington’s keeper managed to hold onto the soaking wet football and the referee duly blew his whistle for full time.

Jubilant scenes at the end of the game from everyone involved with Washington NSG and also commiserations to Seaham Red Star U17’s who played their part in a massively entertaining game.

 

Att:- TBC