U18s through to quarter finals after 4-0 win
Norfolk commenced this year's FA County Youth Cup competition with a comprehensive performance by beating Northumberland by four goals to nil.
Whitley Park, Northumberland CFA – 04.01.20 KO 11:00am
Final Score: Northumberland U18’s 0-4 Norfolk U18’s
Norfolk started the game with a real purpose, having all of the possession in the opening minutes, however it was Northumberland that had the best chance of the opening exchanges after Norfolk gave away possession in the middle of the park, resulting in the Northumberland number 9 bearing down on goal with Norfolk’s Number 1, Reuben Lane, pulling off a fantastic one versus one save.
Aside from that one chance, the Norfolk boys were in good control of the game and in the 7th minutes after good work down the right hand side by Lagshan Sivakumar, the ball popped back to Ollie Whittaker who delivered a dangerous first time cross that was diverted into the net by a Northumberland defender.
This goal only increased the confidence of the Norfolk players and in the 13th minute a well worked short corner resulted in an excellent back post cross by Tom Baird that Norfolk’s number 5 Aaron Rich climbed highest and powered his header home to make it two nil to Norfolk.
In the 20th minute Norfolk were further advantage when Northumberland’s number 8 was cautioned for two late challenges resulting in him being shown the red card.
Norfolk continued to control the game with a number of opportunities created, however it took until the 45th minute and another set piece ended up with a stinging shot by Lagshan Sivakumar being parried by the keeper and it was the number 5, Aaron Rich, on hand to poke the rebound home for his second of the morning.
Half-Time: Northumberland U18’s 0-3 Norfolk U18’s
A forced half time substitution took place with Fletcher Dyson making way for Tom Pipe.
Although Norfolk continued to have the vast majority of possession, credit must go to the Northumberland players who continued to work extremely hard with a player less and certainly didn’t give up at any point, ensuring the Norfolk players couldn’t rest on their laurels throughout the 2nd period.
A double 2nd half substitution took place in the 60th minute with Evan Perry replacing Jorge Pascoal and Brady Philpott replacing Lagshan Sivakumar.
It did take until the 68th minute for Norfolk to get the ball into the back of net once again, following a foul on substitute Brady Philpott, a dangerous delivery was only clear back out to the Norfolk number 10 and he worked a low cross to the near post which was flicked in past the keeper for his hattrick, number 5, Arron Rich.
The final 20+ minutes did see Norfolk create a number of good opportunities on the counter attack as Northumberland continued to take risks going forward, however failed to extend their lead on a number of occasions.
As the final whistle was blown attention has quickly moved onto our next round fixture away at West Riding FA, taking place on Saturday 18 January.
Final Score: Northumberland U18’s 0-4 Norfolk U18’s
Norfolk U18’s: R Lane, M Lane, Dickerson, Whittaker, Rich, Bennett, Sivakumar, (Philpott), Warne, Pascoal, (Perry), Baird, Dyson (Pipe)
Subs: Roberts, Philpott, Perry, Pipe
Referee: William Elliott
Player of the Match: Aaron Rich – Norfolk U18’s
Norfolk FA would like to thank Chaplin Farrant for being the Official Squad Sponsor of the Norfolk Under 18 Representative Squad.