by Jeff King (With A Big Nod To Anthony Johnson)
Durham County FA Under-18s Saturday League - Saturday 15th February 2025
Chester-le-Street United PV 4 v 1 Hebburn Town
A visit to the Riverside from Hebburn Town this morning should have been the toughest test of the new year for United's youngsters one of which they passed with flying colours.
The away side as expected started strong in the early minutes and went ahead after United lost possession in the middle of the pitch and a ball in behind left to right saw the winger drive into the box to score unopposed.
Shay Pye could have levelled ten minutes in after a great pass from Price but he was thwarted by the keeper.
Pye had another chance moments later but again was foiled by good goalkeeping before Frankie Young nearly got us level from a set piece but his header just went wide of the post.
The equaliser came on 30 mins as Pye showed great movement to run in behind and comfortably slotted home through the keepers legs after a great ball by Brooklyn Moss.
Debutant Liam Gribbin was next to force a good save as his shot destined for the bottom corner forced another good save from the Hebburn keeper and keeping the score level at half- time
The CLS Utd boys put in a devastating second half display in which they could have comfortably been ahead with a host of well carved out chances.
The two full backs Nygoyi Wansay and Robson on his debut were involved constantly and provided good support going forward out wide.
Ethan Bell showed great authority on 65 minutes to to win his header centrally from Hebburns goal kick and this enabled Pye and Gribbin to combine on the edge of the box for the latter to score with a cool finish for 2 - 1.
United then went 3 - 1 ahead from Ethan Connelly’s strike from 15 yards out which went in off the post after more good work from Gribbin, Bell and Pye.
The fourth goal arrived on 80 minutes. It was Gribbin the provider as he unselfishly played Bell in to shoot across the keeper into the bottom left corner to put United firmly in the driving seat.
It was all Chester at this point other than one attempt from Hebburn which was well saved from Lambert and on another day United could have scored 6 or 7 with the chances they created.
SCORERS : Pye, Gribbin, Connelly, Bell
MAN of the MATCH : Liam Gribbin - as good a debut as it gets for the 15 year old today who was outstanding all game showing moments of real quality.
Anthony Johnson Post Game Thoughts :
"A great test for the depleted group in this one today which saw the lads deservedly get their 12th point from four successive wins.
Our back four were great supported with the hard work from the U-16 pairing of Young and Connelly sitting in front of them who did a lot of unseen work as usual in the middle.
Two wide men were a threat throughout but the pace, quality and relentless running from the impressive Gribbin and Pye clearly put us on the front foot the whole 90 minutes."
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