I wanted to do a game tonight, and when I looked last week, this was the only game I could find in the north east other than Sunday league finals. They were two sides I had never watched before, and it was at a venue I haven’t been to for a long time. My last visit to Whitley Park was a couple of weeks over five years ago when I watched Newcastle United U23s beat Fulham. It hasn’t changed much/at all in those five years. I won’t be at a game on Sunday (I’m at Wetherby Races) and that made a game tonight even more likely. Although most of them are based around Newcastle, I still haven’t been to many clubs in the Northern Alliance. I’ve always seemed to go for the Wearside League rather than the Alliance, but I’m bound to get to more Northern Alliance clubs once the new Wearside League clubs start to run out.

Match report:

AFC Newbiggin win Minor Cup on penalties

AFC Newbiggin won the Northumberland Minor Cup with a 12-11 win on penalties against Newcastle East End on Friday night.

Bradley Higgins put Newbiggin ahead in the 63rd minute, but Jack McNally’s injury time strike for East End meant the final was to be decided by a penalty shootout.

In a marathon penalty shootout, AFC Newbiggin eventually won 12-11.

Upon kick-off, Newcastle East End were looking the brighter, and their first real chance came in the 12th minute. A free-kick was lifted into the penalty area and flicked on to their man in space six yards out, but his header lacked direction and was simple for Newbiggin goalkeeper Nathan Sharpe.

Newcastle East End continued to look the better side, and it wasn’t until the 28th minute when AFC Newbiggin created an opportunity, but even then, it was never going to trouble the ‘keeper as it sailed well over.

Towards the end of the first half, Newbiggin came into the game, but they weren’t creating any chances.

In truth, it was a poor first half, with very little goalmouth action at either end.

In the second minute of first half added time, AFC Newbiggin had a good chance after a quick attack down the left, but the eventual poked shot under pressure from the onrushing goalkeeper failed to find the target.

Apologies for the lack of names in the first half. I only got the line ups at half time and so I wasn’t taking note of any numbers in the first half!

Following the break, Kyle Downey had a couple of chances for AFC Newbiggin. Firstly, he curled a free-kick over the crossbar, and 10 minutes later, he skewed well wide from the edge of the penalty area.

In the 63rd minute, the deadlock was broken. Higgins was picked out in the penalty area, and he ran towards goal. The chance looked to go when the ball bobbled about, but it eventually dropped back to Higgins who converted from close range to put AFC Newbiggin ahead. It was a scrappy goal, but now they were ahead, Newbiggin didn’t care.

Five minutes later, Newbiggin had a great chance to double their lead when Higgins was brought down by Lee Morrison resulting with the referee pointing to the penalty spot. Higgins dusted himself down to take responsibility, but he blazed his penalty over the crossbar.

Michael Mullaghan went for goal as Newcastle East End looked to respond, but Newbiggin goalkeeper Sharpe was on hand to save the 20-yard effort.

Simon Broatch then headed over for Newbiggin, and by this time, only 10 minutes remained.

Newcastle East End kept trying to find a way back into the game, but clear cut chances were few and far between.

It looked likely that Newbiggin’s single goal was enough to win it, but exactly two minutes into added time, Newcastle East End equalised. An initial long range shot was well saved by Sharpe, but there was no stopping McNally’s rebound and East End were level.

Newcastle East End had a chance to win it in the fifth minute of added time, but a volley at the back post failed to find the target.

The final whistle soon followed, and the Northumberland Minor Cup was to be decided by a penalty shootout.

After five penalties each, it was 4-4. Mullaghan had missed East End’s second penalty, while Newbiggin’s fourth penalty was blazed over the crossbar.

Both sides scored their next five penalties each, and it was 9-9 after 10 each. Both goalkeepers then scored, and both sides scored their 12th penalty.

11-11 after 12 each.

Newbiggin’s 13th penalty was also scored, but Newcastle East End’s 13th bounced back off the crossbar and AFC Newbiggin eventually won the Northumberland Minor Cup.

Full-time: AFC Newbiggin 1-1 Newcastle East End (AFC Newbiggin win 12-11 on penalties)

Next up for me is Brandon United vs Easington Colliery tomorrow.

AFC Newbiggin: Sharpe, Clark (Nelson, 78′), Bethell, Broatch, Bell, Armstrong, Muter (Halpin, 46′), Hall (Elliott, 85′), Higgins, Lucas, Downey

Unused subs: McCabe, Elsdon-Thomas

Newcastle East End: Jones, Morrison (Steinmetz, 81′), Noutch, Gaffney, Brown (Hall, 90+5′), Whitfield, McNally, Edwardson (Lamb, 90+3′), Laidler, Mullaghan, Cairns (Renney, 64′)

Unused sub: Bridge

Admission: £3 adults, £1 concessions

Programme: Got given an A4 sheet with info on both sides

Attendance: 322

Referee: Matt Harris