Youngsters Make Their Point As They Hold Rangers

by Jeff King (Thanks to Anth Johnson)

Durham County FA Under-18s Saturday League - Saturday 12th October 2024

Washington Rangers Under 18s 2 v 2 Chester-le-Street Under 18s

The U-18’s will look at today’s game as two points dropped in what should have been a comfortable win away to Washington Rangers.

Early in the first half the home side had a couple of half chances from set pieces but other than that it was one way traffic.

Moss linked up well down the left on twenty minutes as the latter showed good strength to fend off the defender before slotting into the bottom corner from 12 yards.

Wasteful opportunities in the last third should have seen United go into the break easily three or four ahead. HT 0 - 1.

The lively Pye hit the post with a great strike early in the second half and extended the lead on 48 with a quality strike into the top corner from distance as he turned the defender inside out.

A keeper error on 55 minutes allowed Washington back into the game as a speculative cross was parried into the feet of the striker who tapped it over the line from close range.

The game got sloppy from Chester's behalf with a number of players wanting too much time on the ball leading to United losing possession too easily at times.

More chances went adrift which should have seen the Under-18s stretch the lead but a lack of clinical finishing kept the Rangers in it.

As the game went into the final minute and against the run of play a free kick from 40 yards wasn’t dealt with in the box and their striker rose well to head into the bottom corner to see the game disappointingly finish 2-2.

Three solid debuts today from Jackson Cherrie, Zack Hall and Ollie Linsley with Cherrie shining and showing quality throughout the match in the centre of midfield.

TEAM : 1. Reid 2. Garvey 3. Hepworth 4. Hardy 5. White 6. Connelly 7. Jackson 8. Moss 9. Bell 10. Pye 11. Cherrie

SUBS : 12. Hall 14. Linsey

SCORERS : Moss, Pye

MAN of the MATCH : Moss - solid all round performance from Brooklyn in midfield and took his goal well. Also had a positive stint at centre back last 40 mins doing a good job to help the team out.