Northumberland County Council 5-3 Fairhurst

Aaron Dodds (1) Ryan Convery (1) Paul McKenna (3)

Zac Hart (2) Steve (1)

Expect the Unexpected and a Binksy Best for NCC

NCC went into their first game of the new CIHT North East League season with zero pre-season games under their belt. Granted, Will Binks had been training for a half marathon but he was in goal and my goodness did they need him. The rest looked in good fettle and having two subs to rotate over the course of the hour would surely help their cause. But this was Fairhurst, last seasons league champions and they couldn't be underestimated.

NCC were gung ho from the get go, relying heavily on Scott Young's lethal right boot for the breakthrough but over time they realised that patience would be key in this encounter, forcing the openings only when it was absolutely on.

Meanwhile Fairhurst were feisty, playing aggressive football and on occasion that did boil over with some barges into the boards, Aaron in particular on the end of some bruising battles. McKenna had a quiet word with team captain Zac reminding everyone of the need to go to work tomorrow.

Back to the beautiful game and McKenna found himself in space having made a darting run - would Ryan Convery release him? McKenna demanded the pass and finally it came his way perfectly timed it has to be said. McKenna faked to shoot, put the keeper on the deck and rounded him to slot home using those ever increasing years of experience. The lead didn't last long though as Zac Hart darted one way, then the other, lost his man and slotted home to make it even with 30 minutes played.

Ryan's endeavor's down the wing were rewarded with a well taken finish to make it 2-1 which was soon to be 3-1 shortly after as McKenna pounced on some sloppy defending to steal in and net his second of the day. He wasn't finished there either as the ball looped over two defenders, all he had to do was catch it sweet as a nut and he would bag a hat trick. Eye on the ball as it dropped from the sky and to his surprise as well as many others, it actually went in! 4-1 and NCC had breathing space with 15 minutes to go.

Fairhurst stepped up their game and pummeled the goal with varying degrees of success. Some wayward shots but those that were on target were matched by some superb keeping from Player of the Match Will Binks.

Zac eventually found a breakthrough for Fairhurst but Aaron Dodds, who had worked tirelessly all game got his name on the scoresheet for NCC making it 5-2. It all seemed done and dusted until Binks stepped marginally out of his goal area resulting in a late pen from Steve to make it 5-3.

Binks was best for NCC and Zac had his best game in a Fairhurst shirt scoring two splendid goals, only pipped by some outstanding play from Steve all game.

NCC had to stretch every sinew to get this win against arguably the best team in the league, so special mention goes to Elliott and Jon Dickinson rolling back the years, Matthew Eiles just doing beautiful things with his expert reading of the game throughout, and of course Johnny Briggs, showing calmness under pressure and a neat pass when it was needed.