Under 9 Sparta

	Back to Fixtures						League Tables
Game	Date	K/O	Venue	Opposition	F	A	Scorers
LGE	16/09/07	TBA	HOME	CRAMLINGTON JUN SAO PAULO	2	3	P. STONEMAN(2)
"	23/09/07	"	AWAY	ASHINGTON COLLIERS	9	2	P. STONEMAN(2), BARLOW(2), SELBY(2), SHARP(2) & LATIMER
"	30/09/07	"	AWAY	BLYTH TOWN WHITES	P	P	-
"	07/10/07	"	AWAY	WHITLET BAY BC BLUES	1	7	SHARP
"	14/10/07	"	HOME	BEDLIGTON JUN HAWKS	2	2	P. STONEMAN & BARLOW
"	21/10/07	"	HOME	AE PHOENIX	9	2	P. STONEMAN(4), WEBSTER(2), BARLOW LATIMER & SHARP
"	28/10/07	"	AWAY	CRAMLINGTON COBRAS INTER	9	0	LATIMER(4), SELBY(2), SHARP(2) & P. STONEMAN
"	04/11/07	"	HOME	WHITLEY BAY FC JUN AJAX	3	4	BARLOW, WEBSTER & P. STONEMAN
"	11/11/07	"	AWAY	NORTH SHIELDS BOCA	9	0	P.STONEMAN(4), LATIMER(2), BARLOW, WEBSTER & SHARP
"	18/11/07	"	AWAY	WALLSEND BC GREENS	2	1	P. STONEMAN & WEBSTER
"	25/11/07	"	HOME	BLYTH RANGERS DEPORTIVO	2	2	WEBSTER(2)
CUP	02/12/07	"	HOME	WHITLEY BAY BC BLUES	2	6	SELBY & SHARP
LGE	09/12/07	"	HOME	WHITLEY BAY WHITES	P	P	-
"	16/12/07	"	HOME	TYNEMOUTH UNITED	1	0	BARLOW
"	23/12/07	"	AWAY	BLYTH TOWN WHITES	5	0	LATIMER(2), P.STONEMAN, BARLOW & SELBY
CUP r2	06/01/08	"	TBA	TBA	-	-	-
WINTER LEAGUE 2008
LGE	13/01/08	-	HOME	WHITLEY BAY FC JUN AJAX	1	0	OG
"	27/01/08	-	HOME	FC MORPETH	0	2	-
"	03/02/08	-	AWAY	BLYTH RANGERS DEPORTIVO	2	1	SELBY & WEBSTER
FRE	10/02/08	-	HOME	NORTH SHIELDS JUN INTER	6	2	P. STONEMAN(2), SELBY, LATIMER, SHARP WEBSTER
LGE	17/02/08	-	HOME	ELLINGTON JUN	2	2	LATIMER & OG
"	24/02/08	-	AWAY	ASHINGTON MAGPIES	7	2	P. STONEMAN(3), SELBY, LATIMER, SHARP BARLOW
"	02/03/08	-	HOME	ASHINGTON MAGPIES	4	0	P.STONEMAN, SELBY, SCARTH & BARLOW
"	09/03/08	-	AWAY	WHITLEY BAY JUN AJAX	4	3	P. STONEMAN, WEBSTER, BARLOW & LATIMER
"	16/03/08	-	HOME	WALLSEND BC GREENS	2	3	P. SONEMAN & WEBSTER
"	23/03/08	-	-	MONKTON TOURNAMENT	-	-	-
"	30/03/08	-	HOME	BLYTH RANGERS DEPORTIVO	2	2	P. STONEMAN & BARLOW
SHIELD	03/04/08	18.15	AWAY	CRAMLINGTON JUN SANTA FE	4	0	SELBY(2), BARLOW & SHARP
"	13/04/08	-	AWAY	ELLINGTON JUN	7	2	WEBSTER(2), LATIMER(2), STONEMAN, SELBY & SHARP
"	17/04/08	-	AWAY	WALLSEND BC GREENS	2	2	SELBY(2)
CUP S/F	20/04/08	-	AWAY	ASHINGTON MAGPIES	8	0	WEBSTER(2), LATIMER(2), BARLOW(2) P.STONEMAN & SCARTH
LGE	27/04/08	-	AWAY	FC MORPETH	6	1	SELBY(3), BARLOW, WEBSTER & LATIMER
SH FINAL	10/05/08	-	BLYTH	ELLINGTON JUN	1	2	LATIMER

MATCH REPORTS

Newcastle PSE Soccer 7’s Tournament ‘08 Report
Sunday May 18th ‘08

Group 2: North Shields Sparta 0 v Forest Hall Blues 0

Another sluggish start in the first game against a good Forest Hall side who were an amalgam of the familiar Whitley Bay Boys Club Blues and Whites sides. Nevertheless despite the pressure, Sparta didn’t give in and stand–in keeper Thomas Webster didn’t have much to do. Their keeper didn’t have a great deal to do either as the boys didn’t put many passes together.

Red House Farm Madrid 0 v North Shields Sparta 2
OG, Latimer

Much better in this game as Shields dominated. A powerful corner from Danny Barlow was deflected in by a Red House defender at the near post and Lee Latimer wrapped up the points with a second.

Heaton Hawks Kestrels 0 v North Shields Sparta 1
Webster

Another game Shields dominated but chances were squandered and the big Ivan Campo-esque Hawks defenders proved to be solid obstacles in the way of Tom Webster in particular. However, late in the game Thomas found a way through and this time coolly drew the keeper and slotted the ball in the corner for a great goal and a well earned victory.

North Shields Sparta 2 v Grainger Park 1

We were well in control and looked to be heading for another clean sheet as Grainger hadn’t scored in the tournament so far. But after going 2 up through a lobbed effort from Jonny Sharp and another goal from Matt Selby, the dogged Grainger Park players didn’t give up and scored a good goal right in the corner giving stand in keeper Billy Hall no chance. Further Park pressure followed but we weathered the storm to finish well in control and finish top of the group with 10 points and a GD of +4.

Quarter final: North Shields Sparta 1 v Bedlington Juniors Hawks 1
Webster

The predicted aerial onslaught duly arrived as the route one approach of Bedlington would have made Sam Allardyce’s heart swell with joy. In scenes similar to 1980’s Wimbledon games, Shields defended well against a big Hawks outfit ‘playing to their strengths’. Sparta had the better chances as they tried to play proper football on the floor but the huge Bedlington keeper was often in the way. Extra time arrived and Shields deservedly went 1-0 up as a nice pass down the line to Latimer was duly passed along the deck to the far post for the waiting Webster to slot home.

But with 2 or so minutes left, Danny Barlow won a fair challenge using his shoulder against a much bigger Hawks player just inside the Sparta half. However the inexperienced ref deemed this to be a foul (never in a million years!!) and Shane Gray launched the free kick towards goal as the Sparta defence was all at sea, the ball dropping just over the line via the cross bar.

So to penalties – best of 3…
Billy Hall took Sparta’s first and brilliantly slammed it home – a great penalty!
Danny Barlow stepped up for the second and hit it low, hard and accurate to net the second. The pressure was on the brave Lee Latimer who was to take the last Sparta penalty. He got it on target with plenty of power, but the big keeper managed to push it over to send Bedlington into the semi’s. Tears all round from the reds, but sometimes you don’t get what you deserve!

Yet another hard luck story as Sparta were extremely unlucky to go out to a very questionable refereeing decision. A real shame as the lads were by far the better footballing side and would have had every chance in the semi final against the Forest Hall / Whitley Bay BC amalgam who had let it be known how much they fancied their chances against Sparta.

Well played throughout boys - a special mention to Luke Owston on loan from North Shields Barca who had an excellent tournament.

A disappointing end, but Shields did themselves justice and everyone enjoyed the tournament overall.

Northumberland Mini Soccer League
League Shield Final, Saturday 10th May ‘08
Ellington Juniors 2 North Shields Sparta 1
Latimer

A glorious day welcomed both teams to Blyth Town’s South Newsham ground for the final of the Northumberland Mini Soccer League U9’s Shield.

Arrangements were more professional than on normal match days – covered dug-outs for Team Managers and substitutes, an independent (lady) referee, two linesmen and a box of trophies for winners and runners-up alike.

Sparta kicked off and after weathering some immediate pressure from the Ellington No 8, won a corner. The quick short corner allowed the ball to bounce around the Ellington box as they couldn’t get it clear and Lee Latimer connected with a sweet shot into the back of the net. A dream start but could Shields build on their early lead ?

Within minutes there was a big let-off for the reds as an Ellington attack pushed ominously forwards and their first real shot on goal beat the outstretched Joel Stoneman only to clatter off the goalpost.

As the quarter progressed it was obvious that this was a different Ellington team to the one that Sparta had defeated by seven goals to two a month earlier. They were causing the North Shields boys all sorts of problems in midfield as Sparta just didn’t settle into their normal game.

As Billy Hall and Thomas Webster tried desperately to contain a number of surging runs and Joel Stoneman guarded his goal – sometimes called upon too frequently, the Sparta defence struggled to communicate and were all at sea as the blues waltzed straight into the danger area and fired home their equaliser seconds before the first break.

The second quarter in hindsight was the turning point of the game. North Shields had six genuine goal scoring opportunities that they simply couldn’t bury. First Thomas Webster forcing a magnificant save from the Ellington No 1, then a Webster pass was struck by Paul Stoneman and again the keeper denied Shields a goal. A second Stoneman shot moments later was palmed wide by the hands of the impressive keeper before he made yet another save at the feet of Thomas Webster as he twirled around to meet a bouncing throw-in, reminiscent of a Supermac goal from the 70’s but without the glorious finish!

Some determined and robust play in defence and midfield from Jordan Scarth and Danny Barlow (the latter nursing a severe sore throat but battling on regardless) kept the ball away from the Sparta goal and enabled Stoneman and Webster to keep up the pressure at the other end. Thomas had yet another ball smothered at his feet in the goal mouth before he could pull the trigger and Paul was unlucky not to make more of a great pass from Barlow. Despite numerous opportunities the quarter ended without a North Shields goal, something that was to prove very costly as the chances dried up in the remainder of the game.

The penultimate session started with the very capable Ellington No 7 colliding with Joel Stoneman in the box as both attempted to connect with a loose ball. “Great goalkeeping” was acknowledged from the football savvy contingent in the North Shields section of the touch line supporters. Fortunately the ref accepted that both players were entitled to chase the ball and neither free kick or penalty were warranted on this occasion.

Miraculously the Ellington forward made an immediate recovery and an ace tackle from Barlow was required to deny him another goal scoring oportunity. In the minutes that followed, a Webster run ended in a corner with Barlow setting up Latimer for a shot that was just wide. The heat and pace of the game had taken their toll on the hardworking Barlow and he left the pitch to be replaced by Matthew Selby. Jonathan Sharp made a surging run down the right hand side but his cross aimed at Webster was again cut out by the goalkeeper.

The remainder of the quarter saw Ellington begin to gain an unwelcomed foothold as Sparta ran short of ideas and had a few further chances thwarted by Ellington’s impregnable goalkeeper.

Within a few moments the blues had again caught the Sparta defence sleeping and saw a shot hit the post before their best chance was just tipped over the North Shields crossbar by Joel Stoneman, his lightning reactions keeping the scoreline equal. As both sets of supporters considered extra time it was Ellington who looked like they could steal the game in the final quarter, and despite some heroic goalkeeping, determined defending and a number of sprinting runs up-field by Selby, that is precisely what happened in the final five minutes of the game. A winning goal for Ellington scored from a dubious corner, awarded as Joel collected the ball and was judged to have crossed the line.

Shields tried valiantly to grasp an equaliser in the dying minutes but it wasn’t to be their day. The final whistle blew and the boys more or less collapsed in a state of utter disappointment. They had come so close to gaining something for their efforts during the season but like their league campaign had finished runners-up.

M.O.M – Matthew Selby

York Wigginton Grasshoppers Tournament ‘08 Report

Saturday May 3rd ‘08

League D:

York Cubs 2 v North Shields Sparta 0

Very sluggish against a good side and struggled to adapt to the very narrow pitch. The lads didn’t start to put any pressure on until the last few minutes.

North Shields Sparta 2 v York College B 0
Barlow, Selby

Much better in this game and deserved more goals. A good run and finish down the left from Danny Barlow and another great goal this time from the right by Matthew Selby secured the points.

North Shields Sparta 0 v Cleveland Juniors 0

An evenly matched game, but the boys just couldn’t fashion any clear chances.

North Shields Sparta 0 v Richmond Town FC B 0

A game which would have easily been won by Shields under normal game conditions ended goalless, as clear cut chances just didn’t materialise – a game which proved costly in the end.

North Shields Sparta 1 v Mount Pleasant Rangers B 0
Selby

A cracking shot into the top corner from Matt Selby should have opened the floodgates against a team ho had been heavily beaten by other teams in the group, but the goals just wouldn’t come!

Another hard luck story as Sparta were extremely unlucky to be knocked out on goal difference as Cleveland Juniors progressed instead. A real shame as the lads kept 4 clean sheets out of 5 games on a narrow pitch that wasn’t quite big enough to play 7 a side on, making it very difficult to play without being crowded out. The short duration of 5 minutes each way didn’t help either, as the games were over before they had a chance to settle but Sparta’s unusual inability to score was their undoing.

Despite the disappointment, everyone enjoyed themselves with some great football on show. Well played lads!

Northumberland Mini Soccer League
Serie A, Sunday 27th April ‘08
FC Morpeth 1 North Shields Sparta 6
Selby 3, Barlow, Webster, Latimer

North Shields Sparta started their final league game of the season in the all too familiar wet and dreary Sunday morning setting on a Morpeth pitch that would have definitely benefitted from a quick run over with a lawn mower !

The Morpeth boys playng in yellow opened briskly with a shot on goal in the first minute – a reminder if one was needed that although they languished towards the bottom of the league FC Morpeth did beat Sparta on another inclement day earlier in the campaign. North Shields slowly picked up the pace, Lee Latimer seeing an early shot glance the post but the reds weren’t talking to each other on the pitch – two players chasing the same ball then everyone leaving it for someone else. They were encouraged to communicate and string some passes together and to their credit that’s exactly what they did.

Paul Stoneman, keen to make up for lost playing time due to a recurring knee injury appeared to be back to his goal hungry ways as he linked up with Matthew Selby and Latimer. Twice young Stoneman was denied a goal scoring opportunity by the Morpeth defence before he again succumbed to the same knee problem that has caused him problems in recent weeks. He limped from the park to replaced by Danny Barlow – let’s hope some rest and physio helps Paul regain his fitness for the final of the league shield in two weeks time.

As Barlow arrived he received the ball on the right of goal, just outside the box and proceeded to dribble around the defence passing the keeper and somehow squeezing the ball through what looked from a spectator’s perspective to be an impossible angle into the corner of the net for 1-0. Moments later Thomas Webster, after a determined run managed a swerving shot from around the same spot that Barlow had picked up the ball previously, Thomas was slightly off balance and the ball just cleared the top of the cross-bar. This was better stuff after a decidely nervous first five minutes.

Sparta started the second session on a high. A well worked move down the left saw Jonathan Sharp pass through to Matthew ‘Masher’ Selby and Selby made no mistake in securing a the reds a second goal.

This goal seemed to stir Morpeth into a response. Their diminutive but impressive number nine testing Joel Stoneman with a firm shot and their number two heading just over a few moments later. Sparta weathered the storm, Billy Hall and Jordan Scarth propping up the defence superbly with Barlow and Selby both making outstanding returning runs to deny Morpeth a shot on goal. 2-0 to North Shields as the strange sounding half time whistle was blown.

North Shields began the second half with an attack on goal that saw Barlow fall in the penalty area after what appeared to be a late challenge – nothing was given and the game continued.
Selby and Webster both had chances in the opening minutes, Selby caught out by the surface of the pitch on one occasion. But Sparta’s third was on it’s way, another shot from Selby was knocked away by the hard working Morpeth keeper, only as far as the sprinting Webster who picked up the ball and struck a beautiful curling shot into the top right hand corner of the net.

Joel Stoneman had been quiet in the ‘Shields goal but was soon under pressure as the Yellows’ number four just evaded two sliding challenges from the Sparta defenders and slid the ball home to pull a goal back.This encouraged the FC Morpeth management and coaching staff but North Shields needn’t have worried. Before the break, Selby set up on both occasions by the ever dependable Barlow netted a further two goals and earned himself a hat-trick, obviously impressing the Morpeth team who later awarded him a well deserved man-of-the-match award.

Sparta were encouraged by Michael Barlow to try and reach the ‘40 goals for the season’ marker in the last quarter. An early corner was met by hard-working defender Billy Hall looking to get his first for the season but he was just unable to get sufficiently over the ball to keep his well struck effort from clearing the cross-bar.

It was all North Shields for the final ten minutes of the game, some fine football and determined pressure making it very difficult for Morpeth to progress out of their own half. Every Sparta player contributing to a fine team performance capped off in the last few minutes with a sixth goal. Sharp with some brilliant skill in the centre of the field and a perfect pass through the centre that was struck sweetly by Lee Latimer and sailed passed the Morpeth keeper – Sparta’s last goal in the league and a fine way in which to end what must be considered to be a successful and largely rewarding campaign.

Slightly better results earlier in the season against teams that have ultimately finished well below Sparta in the league rankings could have seen the boys going head-to-head with Wallsend for the title in recent weeks but nonetheless, each team member should be proud of their achievements this year. However, North Shields Sparta did end up as the Serie A league’s highest goal scorers with 39. Well done lads.

M.O.M – Matthew Selby

Northumberland Mini Soccer League
League Shield Semi-Final, Sunday 20th April ‘08
Ashington Magpies 0 North Shields Sparta 8
Webster 2, Latimer 2, Barlow 2, P Stoneman, Scarth

North Shields Sparta travelled north to the previously happy hunting ground of People’s Park to take on an Ashington team that they had already beaten twice in the league this season. The boys were taking nothing for granted but started with a spring in their step following their hard earned draw with Wallsend in atrocious conditions in mid-week.

Ashington kicked off but within a few seconds the in-form Thomas Webster picked up a ball in midfield, dribbled around three black-and-whites and curled a long range shot into the back of the Ashington net. A dream start – something that would be repeated at St.James’ Park later in the day!

The game settled down and it was Sparta who were having all the chances. Lee Latimer, Matthew Selby and Paul Stoneman all had early shots on goal that ran wide. Then Ashington won a corner and brought about Joel Stoneman’s first touch of the game, a great save to deny the Magpies getting straight back on level terms.

The travelling fans needn’t have worried however as the ball broke for Stoneman, anxious to get back to form after missing the last game through injury. Paul made a determined run, his pace beating the back-tracking Ashington players and slotted home a fine solo goal to increase North Shields’ lead.

That wasn’t the last goal of the session, the Magpies responded within minutes, a similar chance to the Stoneman goal but Sparta’s keeper Joel Stoneman was out to grasp the ball from the marauding Ashington forward. It was Sparta who scored again before the break, Latimer collecting the ball just outside the Magpies area and beating the last man and keeper to net Sparta’s third goal.

Ashington weathered the second quarter far better then the first thanks to the arrival of new player Sheldon to the pitch.They had a chance or two straight from the kick off, one that glanced the crossbar, then a Billy Hall sliding tackle was needed to prevent a third opportunity. Sparta responded in kind, Latimer letting loose a fabulous strike that the keeper knocked out against the front of the post, then another turn and shot that was again saved.

Jordan Scarth recovered after an unfortunate mis-kick to reclam the ball and lift it back up the pitch to Stoneman, Paul knocked it on to Lee whose shot was headed back by an Ashington player – almost into his own goal. Play switched to the other end as the Magpies No.6 shot straight into the body of Joel Stoneman, then back again as Webster was hauled down in the penalty area for a spot kick. Webster coolly placed the ball in the back of the net and Sparta were a comfortable 4-0 up at half time.

To be fair to Ashington, they didn’t give up. They won a corner in the first moment of the third session but it was knocked clear by the reds, Matthew Selby picked it up and made an excellent trademark run down the right. His shot was wide but the poor resulting goal-kick was intercepted by Jonathan Sharp, he passed it forward to the feet of Danny Barlow who made no mistake in firing Sparta’s fifth (there must be a Danno and a five-o link there somewhere !).

North Shields actually had a reasonable amount of defending to do for the remainder of the quarter. Ashington had their best chance of the game saved superbly by Joel Stoneman and continued to press for a consolation. That said, Barlow intercepted another goalkick and was unlucky not to score and Stoneman had two chances snuffed out right in front of goal.

Sparta finished the last quarter as they had started the first – with three goals. The first and the boys’ sixth was from some great build-up play. Selby passed to Sharp, who knocked it on to Latimer, Lee crossed into the box and Barlow was there to slot home his second of the game. In an instant the reds were on the goal train again, this time a strong long range Latimer header making it seven, despite a valiant attempt to keep it out.

Sparta continued to push forward and defend well. Webster was on the hat-trick trail and was unlucky on at least two occasions not to get a third goal. In the final moments North Shields were awarded a corner, the ball rattled around the penalty area and was eventually controlled on the edge of the area by Scarth who blasted into the back of the net for 8-0. The acrobatic Webster had a final attempt at his third goal in the dying seconds but saw the ball tipped over from his close range shot.

A great team performance with some fine passing, cool defending and great individual skill – well done lads!

This victory takes North Shields Sparta into the final of the League Shield against the winners of Ellington vs Whitley Bay Ajax.

M.O.M – Thomas Webster

Northumberland Mini Soccer League
Serie A, Thursday 17th April ‘08
Wallsend Boys Club Greens 2 North Shields Sparta 2
Selby, 2

With the second game in four days and another Thursday evening fixture to allow the games missed earlier in the season to be played, North Shields Sparta made the short journey to St.Peters field to again face the league leaders Wallsend.
This was however, a ‘springtime’ evening like no other, with a biting and relentless north easterly wind and horizontal rain that threatened to turn to hail at any minute. Far from ideal conditions for any game of football, let alone a one being played by eight and nine year-olds.

As soon as the game started the weather conditions began to influence the match. The team kicking towards the southern end of the pitch had a distinct adavantage with the wind behind them. This was Wallsend in the first quarter who applied a lot of pressure but despite this Sparta had a few chances. Matthew Selby had an early run for the reds but Wallsend always display a good work ethic and were quick to get back and defend. Play switched from one end to the other, Danny Barlow making a well-timed interception to cut out a surging move by the Wallsend midfield before another attempt saw Thomas Webster having to ‘sky’ the ball away from his own goal as the greens kept up the pressure. Selby had another run on goal as he collected a pass from Jonathan Sharp and was unlucky to be stopped in the Wallsend penalty area.

Billy Hall showed some great tanacity as he stuck with the greens forward on their right until his harrying eventually won him the ball. Then, from their first shot on target and right at the end of a difficult quarter for both teams,Wallsend ‘s No.6 Kai blasted the ball past Joel Stoneman to send the greens a goal up at the break.

The second quarter was started quickly in an attempt to avoid players and supporters alike getting colder and wetter. Shields had to get back into the game and the session started well. Selby providing a chance for Lee Latimer that he would have reached on a normal day but was just too far in the wind, mud and rain. As yet again play switched to the other end, Joel Stoneman – the lone Stoneman representative as brother Paul recovered from a knee injury - collected the slippery ball at the feet of a Boys Club player to make a crucial save.

Danny Barlow made a superb run toward the Wallsend goal, but then had to turn and run the full length of the pitch to help out in defence as the move broke down and then Webster collected the ball in his own half, jinked past several green shirts and launched a savage shot at the Wallsend keeper. The mighty impressive goalie palmed the ball away at full stretch but Selby was there to knock the ball home with his left foot and Shields were again on level terms.

The quarter saw plenty more action as the weather continued to batter the players. Joel Stoneman was as busy as he’s been during any game this season, making a great save during a particularly anxious goalmouth scramble. Hall and Jordan Scarth were staying strong at the back and when Webster, Barlow or Selby did get the ball they tried their best to forge a way through the heavy ground and quickly retreating Wallsend midfield. Wallsend’s keeper made another top drawer save to prevent Latimer’s shot from making it’s way through to goal and a fine turn from Barlow sent Selby away again but it was one goal apiece at half-time.

The penultimate session couldn’t have started any worse for Sparta, with the greens scoring from a long range free kick which eluded everyone to find the net. But the boys didn’t give up, Scarth made a strong run up the right wing and was unlucky to put the ball into the side netting and a first time shot from Barlow’s right boot brought another spectacular save from the agile Wallsend keeper. A ball from Jonathan Sharp landed at the feet of Webster whose turn and shot were again saved by the acrobatic Boys Club goalkeeper. Barlow battled hard to earn himself a corner – which was again thwarted by the outstanding Wallsend number one.

The breakthough came in the last quarter, a long goal-kick from Hall was picked up by Barlow, his run down the left resulting in a pass to Selby who again left footed the ball at long last past the keeper to secure an equalizer, much to the delight of the drowned and freezing Sparta Ultras.

Shields dominated the final moments of the game but couldn’t fashion the winner despite applying a lot of pressure and 2-2 is how it ended. No player would have wanted to suffer the conditions and also see his team beaten. A reasonable outcome to a trying but entertaining game for all involved.

Semi-final of the shield away to Ashington Magpies on derby Sunday. It’s the reds to win before mid-day and even though Chris Latimer will disagree, we’d like it to be the black and whites after lunch !

M.O.M – Thomas Webster

Northumberland Mini Soccer League
Serie A, Sunday 13th April ‘08
Ellington Juniors 2 North Shields Sparta 7
Webster 2 Latimer 2, Stoneman, Selby, Sharp

North Shields Sparta travelled north for their away fixture to Ellington Juniors on a surprisingly dry and clear Sunday morning. Recent downpours had led many to believe that the game would be postponed.

The match got underway at a prompt 10am and the reds made a good start with the first real attack of the game. Ellington were quick to respond, an early corner giving North Shields’ goalkeeper Joel Stoneman his first touch of the ball. Then the perfect start for Sparta, an excellent pass from Lee Latimer finding Matthew Selby who kept his head and pushed the ball cleanly past the Ellington keeper.

The blues came straight back at Sparta from the kick off, Jonathan Sharp making a fine run back into defence to deny an Ellington forward a shot on goal. Then, following some sound defending and a shot that just cleared the crossbar at the other end, Jordan Scarth showed some great team play, overlapping Matthew Selby and collecting the ball down the right hand side. Only bad luck stopping another promising Shields move.

Sparta then weathered a dangerous spell from Ellington when several chances, including a particulary nervous goal-mouth scramble needed some positive - and in one instance, fearless goal keeping from Joel Stoneman. This proved to be a telling period in the first quarter as soon after Thomas Webster, with great vison placed a ball into the box at the feet of Latimer and Lee made no mistake in planting his shot in the back of the net for Sparta’s second. 0-2 to the visitors at the first break.

The blues responded to their team talk at the break with an attack in the first minute, the ball collected comfortably by keeper Stoneman. However Ellington’s pressure brought them a penalty and they pulled a goal back with a well taken spot-kick.

This goal gave the home side a boost and despite some good work from the North Shields number nine Paul Stoneman, they managed to pull another one back to level the score at 2-2. This turnaround could have unsettled Sparta but the boys dug in. Latimer’s resilience on the left with, as the referee remarked “a fine shoulder charge” providing a chance for Webster but the ball bobbled on the line and was knocked to safety by the Ellington defence.

Then a breakthrough as Selby let a shot go that rattled the cross-bar and Webster followed in to net the rebound and allow North Shields to retake the lead. The blues made attempts to get straight back into the game but Billy Hall (sporting a new haircut) was strong on the left, preventing Ellington from moving forward and before the break Webster collected a loose ball and weaved his way through to fire home his second and restore the visitor’s two goal cushion.

Ellington Juniors kicked off the second half but were under pressure straight away, a Latimer pass being only inches too far for the hat-trick hunting Webster. It wasn’t long before the reds moved further ahead however, this time Thomas crossing the ball across the face of goal where Stoneman lay in wait to fire in a shot past the Ellington keeper to take the North Shields goal tally to five. The sixth was soon to follow before the final break as Latimer’s opportunist lob, intercepted from a goal kick cleared the blues goalie and nestled in the top right hand corner of the net. Great stuff.

As Sparta attempted to consolodate their lead in the last quarter the Ellington team, but moreover the supporters on the touchline, were becoming restless. Their verbal frustration and at time unwelcome comments appearing to influence a ‘play on’ decision from what had seemed to other onlookers to be a clear push in the back on a North Shields player. This resulted in a quick substitution for Sparta before the match carried on, the blues managing to hit the post as they tried to claw a goal back.

The action wasn’t over, as Thomas Webster made another determined run down the right wing, he cut inside the Ellington defence and fired a powerful shot at the blues’ keeper. The goalie couldn’t hold the ball and Sharp was there with a cool left foot tap in to finally close off a well earned victory for North Shields.

Ellington hit the post again before the end but it was Sparta’s day. Hopefully the other teams vying for the league title have faltered this weekend and this win gives the boys some more valuable points.

M.O.M – Lee Latimer.

Northumberland Mini Soccer League
League Shield Quarter Final, Thursday 3 April 08
Cramlington Juniors Santa Fe 0 North Shields Sparta 4
Selby 2, Barlow, Sharp

It was the home side who kicked off the Shield game on a fairly mild Thursday night, both teams making immediate use of the light evenings following last weekend’s transition to British summer time.

The match started at a frenetic pace with neither team able to keep possession and string a series of passes together. Matthew Selby was making runs down the right wing for Shields and he certainly had his work cut out to prevent some strong challenges from the Cramlington defenders knocking him off the ball.
Selby provided Lee Latimer with two early chances, a header that was just wide of goal then a shot that was saved. But it was ‘Masher’ Selby who got his own name on the scoresheet first with a close range header from a well weighted Paul Stoneman cross. 1-0 to Sparta within the first 5 minutes. This encouraged the Reds but didn’t settle the game down. The ball was still bouncing around as though it was on a pinball table.

Jordan Scarth collected the ball just in front of his own goal and with the first piece of composure in the game, played through two Cramlington players with some great skill. The composure didn’t last however as Joel Stoneman and Thomas Webster had an ‘odd moment’ in front of goal, the ball ending up in no-man’s-land between them but to be fair they were probably caught out by the very poor pitch – extremely bumpy with grass that was way too long for playing serious football which hampered Sparta all game. Paul Stoneman and Selby both had further chances before the break but Santa Fe had a chance of their own from a corner and they appeared to be gaining in confidence.

Cramlington started the second quarter as they had finished the first with an attempt on goal. Fortunately the shot was a bit of a mis-kick and didn’t trouble Joel Stoneman too much. The action switched to the other end, Stoneman making a great run and crossing to the feet of Latimer whose shot hit Santa Fe’s keeper at point blank range injuring him in the process - nothing too serious though and he soon recovered. Sparta continued to push for a second goal and their determination soon paid off. Danny Barlow, fighting to keep the ball, made a great turn and found himself with a shooting opportunity just inside the box. In an instant he fired straight into the back of the net with another high powered strike.

Despite going two goals down, the Cramlington team didn’t give up and they actually stepped up a gear. It was now Billy Hall’s turn to rise to the occasion - despite Santa Fe’s number 8 Owen Gibson having extra pace over the Sparta number 6, Billy managed to keep with him sufficiently to put him off and keep the ball away from the danger area which set a precedent for Billy for the rest of the game as he produced a fine defensive performance . Barlow was also quick to get back and snuff out an attack down the opposite flank.

North Shields started the second half well, a run by Stoneman allowing Jonathan Sharp a left foot strike which was just wide of the right hand upright. Paul then temporarily retired with a ‘stitch’ and Thomas Webster returned to the pitch to help out up front. Then a fanatastic piece of team football - a great move by Barlow with a pass to the returning Stoneman who knocked the ball onto Selby and Matthew made no mistake in netting his brace and moving Sparta into a three goal lead as the third session came to an end.

The game was now beyond Cramlington but to their credit they continued to defend as North Shields pressed for another goal. Barlow hit a sweet right foot shot from a corner which was again well saved. Sharp was unlucky not to score a fantastic goal as he skilfully beat a defender and the keeper on the left of goal before floating a shot across the goalmouth that just skimmed the outside of the right hand top corner – really unlucky.

Michael Barlow tried to get in on the game at this point but his control was rubbish on the touchline (he’s also blaming the pitch)!

The final few moments saw several chances for the reds as Matthew Selby, Danny Barlow and Thomas Webster all had decent efforts before the close. There was one more fine team goal to come as yet again some hard work from Selby allowed probing runs from Latimer and Webster to set Sharp up as he arrived in the box to turn and fire the ball home for Sparta’s fourth and final goal.

This fairly comprehensive victory sees Sparta through to the semi-final of the Shield and another victory builds the boys confidence in their quest for league success, despite playing way below what they are capable of.

M.O.M – Danny Barlow

Northumberland Mini Soccer League
Serie A, Sunday 30th March 08
North Shields Sparta 2 Blyth Rangers Deportivo 2
P. Stoneman, Barlow

After the Easter snow last weekend and despite a cold wind, conditions were just about perfect for the visit of Blyth Rangers Deportivo to John Spence today. North Shields Sparta kicked off the match and immediately the game settled into a lively pace, Shields winning a couple of corners within the first two minutes.
Then a dream start, as a curling corner ball into the Blyth box caught their defenders at sixes and sevens. Paul Stoneman challenged and managed to get some contact to loop the ball towards goal and the resulting scramble saw the ball glance the bottom of the cross-bar and end up in the back of the Rangers net. One nil to North Shields. However Blyth didn’t stop for breath, their attack immediately from the kick-off giving keeperJoel Stoneman his first test of the game.

The remainder of the quarter saw Blyth slowly build in confidence from this attack with Matthew Selby and Thomas Webster having to cover an enormous amount of ground to prop up the defence at the same time as trying to extend Sparta’s lead. Selby’s pace saw him have two shots on goal, the first blocked at his feet and the second needing a strong grasping save to stop it’s shear momentum from carrying it into the goal. Lee Latimer also saw a fine left foot strike just clear the top of the bar.

Unfortunately after a very busy and eventful ten minutes, the first half ended with Blyth eventually making their way past the extremely hard working Billy Hall and for the second week running an unmarked player at the back post was on hand to slot past Joel Stoneman to secure a Blyth equaliser before the break.

The second session started with a sustained period of North Shields pressure. The best move being a Danny Barlow pass to Webster, Thomas’s shot was saved then the scramble that ensued saw another shot from Thomas just skim off the outside of the left-hand upright. Then it was Blyth’s turn, first they moved into a two goal lead as a Rangers forward broke through and although the ball bounced off his hand to allow him to control it, the ref was unsighted and he knocked it into the net. Then seconds after the restart a long range shot rattled the top right hand Shields goal-post.

Fortunately Sparta weathered the storm and moments later the equilibrium was restored as Danny Barlow picked the ball up inside his own half and, after cruising down the left hand side past 2 Blyth players, fired a left foot Barlow Blaster into the top right hand corner of the Blyth goal beating the keeper at the near post. A fine solo effort.

Blyth’s number 2 continued to cause the Reds’ problems, Jordan Scarth and Hall both having to time their interceptions to perfection and ensure that the pacy Ranger striker didn’t pass them. Even Paul Stoneman was having to retreat back into defence to help his team-mates out as the pressure mounted. It was two goals apiece as the boys swapped ends at half-time.

The second half continued at the same breakneck pace as the first. Blyth started the attack but Barlow managed two superbly timed tackles to prevent them setting up any attacking rhythm. Then the end-to-end play began again. Scarth started a Sparta move with a strong run out from the back, Selby collected the ball but had his shot saved. Then it was Jonathan Sharp’s turn to take centre stage, first to cut-out a Blyth pass and make a long run on the right hand side that finished with a shot at a narrowing angle that wasn’t too far away. Then an equally long sprint back into defence to cut out a marauding forward just as he was about to pull the trigger in front of Joel Stoneman. But the best was saved for last, as he collected the ball in the middle of the pitch, passing one player then another two before his strike passed through the goalkeeper’s legs – just as the keeper managed to sit on the ball and make it safe.

The final quarter saw the crowd anxious to see a winner but concerned that either team could also throw the game away and potentially spoil what both sides had made such an entertaining match to watch.

North Shields dominated the last session and really deserved a winner. Scarth was unlucky to have his chance thwarted by the well organised Rangers defence. Sharp’s left foot effort lacked the power to worry the Blyth keeper and Lee Latimer’s powerful free-kick was just over the bar. Latimer then set Webster up in front of goal, delivering a fantastic cross but Thomas’s jump was agonisingly inches away from connecting and nodding the ball home.

The reds continued the pressure, Selby’s consistent hard work earning Sparta yet another corner and Latimer had a final shot on goal after pinching the ball from a rare Blyth goalkeeping distribution error, but it was to end 2-2.

A great contest with North Shields having the majority of chances and just not having enough luck to seal a victory.

M.O.M – Jonathan Sharp

Northumberland Mini Soccer League
Serie A, Sunday 16th March ‘08
North Shields Sparta 2 Wallsend Boys Club Greens 3
P Stoneman, Webster

It was evident from the outset that North Shields Sparta’s home game against Wallsend Boys Club Greens was going to prove one of, if not the hardest game of the season.

The Greens, equal on points but with a game in hand over Sparta, had proved difficult opposition back in November when Sparta secured an excellent away win but within the first two or three minutes of today’s game, Joel Stoneman’s level of activity in the Shields’ goal was indicative of the opposition’s keeness to push forward to try and score.

Sparta started well, Paul Stoneman had an early shot tipped over the crossbar, Matthew Selby ended a fine run with a shot into the side-netting and Jonathan Sharp had his shot cut-out after a great one-two with Stoneman down the left wing. Then a boost for Sparta as Selby lifted a ball into the area and Stoneman met it sweetly with a half-volley sending the ball rocketing straight into the back of the Wallsend net. 1-0 to North Shields.

Wallsend continued to put the reds under pressure, Billy Hall was extremely busy at the back on the North Shields left but managed to contain the Wallsend forwards, while on the right wing Selby’s pace was causing the greens problems. Joel Stoneman was forced to make a save in the last minute but Sparta appeared to have had the better chances and were a goal to the good into the first break.

Wallsend started the second session with an early corner but again it was Sparta who made the more promising chances. Thomas Webster with one of several strong skillful runs on goal, on this ocassion a mix-up between Wallsend goalkeeper and defender nearly allowed the ball to slip into the net before they managed to secure it.

Wallsend’s tall and physically imposing No.6, Kearan Hunt was proving to be a handful, Danny Barlow having to chase and stick with the former North Shields Junior to prevent him crossing or shooting himself. Jordan Scarth had a shot dropped and then quickly scooped up by the Wallsend keeper before Shields found themselves with a two goal lead as Webster made yet another determined run and cracked a shot from twenty five yards out that curled beautifully into the top left hand corner of the Wallsend goal.

Immediately from the restart Wallsend’s No.6 had a cross-come-shot that rattled the cross-bar. Then the greens threw everything at Sparta, wave after wave of attacks that eventually paid off. Despite a goal line clearance and some good defending from most of the North Shields’ team including centre forward Stoneman, the period of sustained pressure saw Wallsend get one back, through lax defending, then the equaliser from long range.

Sparta’s misery was added to as seconds before the last break Wallsend managed to beat the hard working Joel Stoneman as Kyle Oxley toe poked a third.

The last quarter brought a number of chances for the reds and one notable shot from Wallsend from a superbly lofted pass that hit the post. Barlow’s determination not concede again was shown as he doggedly blocked a shot in the Sparta box and then got in the way of the rebound to sent the ball safely over the bar to ensure Shields still had a chance of getting something from the game

A final run and cross from Webster, found Barlow who laid the ball off to Latimer but unfortunately his shot was just over the bar. Danny had another chance with a left foot shot and his free kick to Thomas resulted in yet another ball just glancing the target.

The final whistle blew on a disappointing game – the antithesis of last week’s achievement. Where a two goal deficit was matched and beaten last week, a two goal lead and the game were lost today as a few Sparta players weren’t at the top of their game. Unfortunately this defeat could go a long way to deciding the league title, but there are still plenty of points to play for yet!

On a more positive note – Sparta did play well at times and scored two cracking goals but losing determination after half time saw them undone.

A week away from the hustle and bustle of the league programme next weekend with an Easter tournament trip to sunny Jarrow (unfortunately it was snow rather than sun so it was a week of no football).

M.O.M – Thomas Webster

Northumberland Mini Soccer League
Serie A, Sunday 9th March ‘08
Whitley Bay FC Ajax 3 North Shields Sparta 4
P Stoneman, Webster, Barlow, Latimer

North Shields Sparta continued their campaign with an away fixture against the blue-and-white Whitley Bay Ajax team who they had narrowly beaten in the first game of the Winter League season.

Weather conditions were greatly improved over recent games but Sparta had to weather an early storm from the Ajax team. Some energetic defending from Thomas Webster and a well-timed block from Billy Hall were needed in the first few moments of the game to prevent Whitley Bay from threatening the North Shields goal. Fortunately it was Shields who took an early lead, Lee Latimer setting Matthew Selby away and Matthew’s diagonal pass for the sprinting Paul Stoneman’s saw Paul make a detemined lunge to connect beautifully with the ball just in front of a Bay defender as the keeper raced out. The corner of the net bulged for 1-0 to Sparta.

The reds’ joy was short-lived, Ajax won a free kick on the very edge of the Sparta box and despite a reasonable North Shields wall the Whitley player fired straight into the North Shields net. This seemed to spark a wave of attacks from Whitley Bay, as Shields went asleep, were slow to get back in defence and the blue-and-whites scored a second, then a third in what seemed no time at all. Lee Latimer’s late corner nearly brought about an own goal from a Whitley defender but Sparta went into the first break 3-1 down. A worrying first quarter.

Whilst manager and crowd may have been anxious, the Sparta boys came out of the traps like greyhounds for the second session. Webster making a fine run down the right wing to cross the ball for Latimer, but Lee’s shot was just over the Whitley crossbar. As Jordan Scarth, Danny Barlow and Webster continued to defend and try to push the ball forward, Whitley Bay were awarded another free-kick. This brought a superb save from Joel Stoneman and the goal kick that followed saw Jordan slot the ball through to Stoneman who slipped a great crossfield ball to find Webster who nipped in front of the keeper to finish and pull a goal back for North Shields.

This started a great spell for Sparta, Webster made another probing run again crossing in for Stoneman but Paul was denied by the very competent Ajax keeper. Shields and Ajax both had shots run wide before the break but the best half of the game was yet to come.

The second half started with a Whitley Bay attack but Sparta were soon back in their stride. After some good work by the resolute Scarth, Sparta started some great moves. First Jonathan Sharp continued to show some great footwork as he made a perfect switch across the pitch to find Selby, then Matthew and Barlow continued to pile on the pressure, finding Stoneman who fired yet another shot at goal in the hope of clinching an equaliser. Joel Stoneman was busy but assured as he made two fine saves at the other end. The first at the feet of the threatening Whitley Bay number 7 (forward – again there were two number 7’s – and at least two number 2’s). In the final minute of the period, Selby sprinted up the right wing, again beating the Ajax defenders for pace and his well weighted lob into the goalmouth just failed to connect with Sharp’s outstretched right foot.

The Sparta parents cheered the lads out expectantly for the final quarter, hoping to add to the management team’s “let’s go and win it” message during the break.
Barlow fired wide from a throw in in the first minute, then seconds after from a strong run, Lee Latimer crossed to Barlow who fired home despite the best efforts of a Bay defender on the line and Shields were finally level at 3-3.

The last few nail-biting minutes saw Sparta really ‘grasp the nettle’ to try and secure the winner. They could have settled for a draw, especially coming from 3-1 down but to their credit that wasn’t how they wanted the game to end. Constant pressure from the whole team eventually paid off. First Webster fired wide, then Latimer saw his shot just tapped out by the Ajax defence. Then joy of joys, a curling Selby corner was headed straight back to Matthew who lobbed it back in and Latimer climbed above the Whitley Bay defence to loop a header in for Sparta’s fourth and winning goal!

The final whistle blew a moment later, ending a fantastic display of determination from North Shields Sparta that earns them valuable league points and takes them top of the league. Well done boys, a vintage performance!

(It’s quite possible that the parents enjoyed the game more than the players today !)

M.O.M – Thomas Webster

Northumberland Mini Soccer League
Serie A, Sunday 2nd March ‘08
North Shields Sparta 4 Ashington Magpies 0
P Stoneman, Selby, Scarth, Barlow

Another very blustery Sunday morning saw agreement between the North Shields and Ashington managers to allow the Mother’s Day fixture to take place, the conditions could have meant postponement but both teams decided to play on regardless.

Sparta kicked off with the advantage of the strong westerly wind and within two minutes Lee Latimer and Thomas Webster had tested the Ashington defence, both shots being slightly wide of the Magpies’ goal. Webster had another chance moments later and Jonathan Sharp showed some great skill on the right wing, turning one way then the next to lose the Magpies’ midfield. Shields had hit the ground running and after some sustained pressure a long cross landed at the feet of Paul Stoneman, who kept his head to slot into the Ashington goal.

Ashington were straight back at Sparta and a looping shot needed safe collection with both hands by Joel Stoneman to prevent an immediate equaliser.
North Shields seemed determined to increase their lead and take advantage of the wind, a Lee Latimer free-kick was met by Sharp who again shot wide. Stoneman shot into the side netting from a throw then he collected a pass from Latimer and fired a shot that appeared to glance the post and skip across the goalmouth where Matthew Selby had arrived to push the ball past the Ashington keeper. 2-0 to the reds at the end of the first session.

Ashington started the second quarter with another threatening lob, this time with the assistance of the wind but again Joel Stoneman collected safely. Sparta then began to do exactly what was required in the second session, keeping the ball on the ground and retaining possession to deny the yellows a chance of another shot. The football North Shields played in this period showed that playing as a team, stringing some accurate passes and some wonderful one-twos (Danny Barlow and Lee Latimer) can frustrate your opponent, especially when conditions should be giving them the advantage. When the Magpies’ did break, some hard work and well-timed interceptions by Billy Hall and Jordan Scarth helped Shields to maintain a clean sheet.

Sparta had a number of chances themselves before half-time, Barlow and Stoneman both firing shots on goal but as expected, the gusty wind was helping the Ashington defence.

After the break North Shields were straight out to increase their lead, and seconds after a speculative shot from Stoneman was knocked over the bar, Scarth curled in a corner kick that just caught a slight deflection off the knee of an unwitting Ashington defender and found it’s way into the far corner to make it 3-0 to the home side and open Jordan’s account for the season.

Sparta continued to make the majority of the chances, Matthew Selby working tenaciously down the right flank and Barlow, Stoneman, Webster and Sharp all testing the Magpies’ defence before Danny was tripped to win a free-kick just outside the penalty area to the left of goal. This was perfect positioning for a Barlow left foot strike and Danny made no mistake in clearing the wall and beating the keeper to take the reds’ goal tally to four.

The last quarter started with another early Ashington strike that Joel did very well to collect as his view was obscured by a number of player’s legs. Shields responded with a Selby shot into the side netting then a superb opportunity as Sharp beat three challenges in front of goal twisting and turning before unfortunately firing wide as the keeper closed him down.

As the final session drew to a close, Hall and Joel Stoneman continued to keep the Sparta door closed as a Barlow corner kick saw the ball fall to Selby in the goalmouth but the heroics of the Magpies’ keeper, diving at Matthew’s feet thwarted another attempt. Seconds before the final whistle Selby crossed into the box, the ball bobbled around but was again smothered by the Ashington Keeper.

A good win for Sparta in very difficult conditions, well done.

M.O.M – Thomas Webster.

Northumberland Mini Soccer League
Serie A, Sunday 24th February ‘08
Ashington Magpies 1 North Shields Sparta 7
P Stoneman (3), Selby, Latimer, Sharp, Barlow

Dry, bright conditions greeted the players at the Peoples Park, Ashington as North Shields travelled north to take on the Magpies. It was the home side that kicked off but Sparta showed some early sparkle, Lee Latimer having a shot in the first minute that ran just wide of the post.

The Magpies began to gain in confidence soon after, their pressure needing some resolute defending by Billy Hall and when an awkward cross headed towards the North Shields goal Joel Stoneman had to make sure his collection was sound to deny the waiting Ashington forwards any sniff of goal.

The action then switched to the other end, Latimer’s free kick being tipped over the cross-bar by the hard working Magpies keeper moments before the deadlock was broken. Some neat passing allowed Jonathan Sharp to combine with Paul Stoneman who didn’t manage to connect with the ball as cleanly as he’d have liked, but it was enough to confuse Ashington’s keeper, as the ball spun round him and into the net for a deserved goal from some great build up play. 1-0 to Sparta seconds before the break.

The second quarter started the way the first session had begun with a Latimer shot, this time the Ashington keeper did well to knock the ball onto and over the cross-bar. The Magpies themselves hit the woodwork as a wind assisted goal-kick bounced over Billy Hall towards the Shields goal and the nippy left winger’s cross-shot hit the outside of the post from a tight angle.

Then a build up of pressure from Sparta, starting with a great long run down the right wing from Thomas Webster, then another down the left from Latimer whose cross landed at the feet of the fast approaching Matthew Selby who promptly slotted the ball home and the reds moved into a two goal lead. The quarter finished with some determined tackling from Danny Barlow and great work by Webster, Selby and Latimer who kept possession for long periods of time and prevented Ashington from settling into any kind of rhythm.

The Magpies looked more purposeful after half time and despite some great early football from the Sparta boys they managed to take advantage of mix up the North Shields defence to score within the first few minutes of the restart. Sparta weren’t put off by this momentary lapse, they were straight back at Ashington with some creative, and at times audacious moves being plucked from their skills portfolio – most notably a Barlow back heel on the left wing picked up by Sharp who subsequently switched the play to Webster on the far right. However, despite several other opportunities the penultimate session ended 2-1 with Sparta holding only a frustrating slender lead into the final period.

The last quarter was by far the most eventful as the consistent Sparta pressure began to tell. From a promising start with chances from the busy Barlow, Webster and Selby all failing to bear fruit, finally another Latimer cross into the penalty area was flicked in by Paul Stoneman and Sparta managed to secure a much needed third goal and a substantial cushion in the game.

Moments later a long goal-kick from Webster fell to man of the match Latimer who dribbled through the midfield and fired a curling left foot shot into the top left hand corner of the net – an excellent strike! 4-1 Sparta and there was more to come. The best of the bunch followed, some great team play - Sharp to Webster, Webster stepped on the gas and unselfishly slotted the ball sideways to Stoneman for Paul to slide the ball home to complete his hat-trick and emphatically end his recent goal drought.

Despite some vociferous yelling from their management team Ashington still didn’t stop trying and an awkward corner needed to be dealt with by Joel Stoneman to prevent them getting a chance for a second. The Magpies next corner was also defended well, the ball picked up by Matthew Selby who sent Jonathan Sharp jinking his way from deep in his own half to fire in a shot which an Ashington defender helped past his keeper into the goal with an outstretched leg.

In the closing minutes, Danny Barlow also got his name on the score sheet after being hauled down by a very late tackle. A ‘Barlow Blaster’ left foot free kick from the right hand side of goal fired straight past a static Ashington keeper and defence into the net.

7-1 the final score, which some could say flattered Sparta as five of the goals were in the last quarter, but North Shields had dominated the game from start to finish without finding the net early on from some good chances.

The boys play the same team at John Spence next week – let’s hope in this instance that playing in black and white continues to be a bad omen.

M.O.M – Lee Latimer

Northumberland Mini Soccer League
Serie A, Sunday 17th February ‘08
North Shields Sparta 2 Ellington Juniors 2
Own goal, Latimer

Sparta kicked off their latest league game as the frosty February ground thawed and the morning sunshine tried its best to warm a bitterly cold John Spence sports field. Despite the cold, the reds seemed more fired up from the start than they’ve appeared to be in previous games, Paul Stoneman, Jonathan Sharp and Lee Latimer all having shots at the immediately impressive Ellington goalkeeper.
Matthew Selby made several probing runs down the right wing easily beating the Ellington defenders for pace and providing chances aplenty for himself and the Shields forwards but there was no early goal. The Ellington players in blue and white had a couple of chances in the first quarter but nothing that the hard working Billy Hall, Thomas Webster and Joel Stoneman couldn’t handle.

The second quarter started fortuitously for Sparta. Confusion in the Ellington defence saw a back pass squirm past their unfortunate keeper into the back of the net and North Shields took the lead. To Sparta’s credit they now seemed to step up a gear, whether this was a conscious effort or not they tried determinedly to increase their lead. Danny Barlow’s arrival on the pitch letting the opposition know that he was going to be a significant threat for the rest of the game with two thunderous left foot shots. Ellington responded well though, hitting the bar early in the quarter but failing to rattle Sparta in their efforts to move further ahead. Webster made a great run through the midfield only to see his powerful strike thud into the stomach of the Ellington goalkeeper, before Barlow sprinted three quarters of the left wing beating several challenges to cross the ball – but unfortunately there were no red shirts on the end of it to make the most of Danny’s hard work. Then, against the run of play and from their only real chance in the second session, an Ellington forward managed to lift the ball over Joel Stoneman and the curling lob landed behind him in the North Shields net. Both goalkeepers made further saves before the half-time whistle but it was 1-1 into the break.

The third quarter saw no further goals but wasn’t without incident. Both Selby and Barlow had early shots saved before Paul Stoneman caught a rebounded ball square in the face and had to leave the field – Webster filling in up front while Paul recovered. The period ended with a left foot shot from Jonathan Sharp bringing another fine save from the man-of-the-match Ellington keeper.

The last quarter found both teams fighting desperately to get a winning goal. Sparta’s chance came first. Following a period of sustained pressure, the ball fell to the industrious Lee Latimer who struck a fine low shot beyond the outstretched blues keeper, earning Sparta a deserved lead. From the restart Ellington tried hard to come back but some great defensive work from Jordan Scarth kept them from getting too close to the Sparta goalmouth. Barlow and Sharp were linking up well on the left with some great skills and passes but couldn’t find a way past the blues goalkeeper. Then disaster, Ellington scored from a rare corner and the scores were again level.

Barlow again made a run from the kick off but his final shot was just wide of the left hand upright, then Latimer matched his attempt with a fine solo effort but again the final shot was wide. One heart stopping moment from an intercepted short Sparta goal kick and one excellent Joel Stoneman save prevented the game being a total loss but I’m sure the team feel this game was two points lost not a point gained.

M.O.M – Danny Barlow

10/02/08 - North Shields Sparta 6 North Shields Inter 2
P Stoneman (2), Selby, Latimer,
Webster, Sharp

As both sides were without league or cup games today it seemed a good idea to arrange a friendly to keep both teams in shape for coming league fixtures.

It was Sparta who took the early initiative, as Matthew Selby showed his pace and determination down the right on the first of a few occasions but could only drive a shot just wide of the upright. A goal wasn’t far behind as Paul Stoneman ended his recent barren spell with a well taken left foot finish for 1-0. His and Sparta’s second followed as he converted with a clever back header from a corner and Selby added the third with a intelligent late run into the box to connect with another corner and find the bottom of the net. Sparta were putting their hard work in training into full effect as they passed the ball around beautifully making the Inter rearguard work really hard whilst Jordan Scarth and Thomas Webster kept the door shut at the back.

Sparta continued in the same vein in the second quarter, Lee Latimer’s midfield strength and running made life difficult for Inter with the introduction of the jinking Danny Barlow on the left also causing problems. A superb series of one-twos between Stoneman and Barlow down the left almost ended with a fantastic goal but Webster was denied by goalkeeper Cameron Sturrock. Webster soon got on the scoresheet from a well worked passing move, again showing that work in training does pay off as he also converted with his left foot! That was the only goal on the scoresheet in this period as Inter defended fairly well and Sturrock continued to make first class saves to keep Sparta out and the score at 4-0.

The third quarter saw Sparta take their foot off the gas as Inter started showing their form. The Whites came straight at the Reds from the kick off and put together a fine flowing move to pull a goal back. Joel Stoneman in the Sparta goal, Billy Hall and Matt Selby were forced to work hard to deny them any chance of another goal. Barlow’s busy runs down the left were often cut out by good Inter defending and a series of excellent corners from Scarth came to nothing. However their was nothing Inter could do about Sparta’s fifth as Latimer conjured up a chance for himself and lashed the ball into the roof of the net! A great strike.

The final session was again fairly evenly matched but some lax defending from Sparta allowed Marcus McConkey in to lash home Inter’s second as the Reds’ defence stood and watched! But Sparta had the last word, Jonathan Sharp getting a goal his overall passing contribution deserved as he cut in from the left to get on the end of a cross and finish in the corner with his right foot. Just as it looked as if Latimer was to add a seventh from another good move, Cameron Sturrock bravely saved Lee’s shot with his face as it was destined for the net in the last action of a good game. A few drops of magic water later and Cam was back on his feet!

Final score 6-2 to Sparta with some great passing football played. Both teams played their part in a good game of football - a credit to North Shields Juniors - well played lads.

M.O.M – Matt Selby

Northumberland Mini Soccer League
Serie A, Sunday 3rd February 08
Blyth Rangers Deportivo 1 North Shields Sparta 2
Webster, Selby

Cold windy and wet conditions were to greet the reds on the pitch adjoining Blyth Spartans’ Croft Park football ground. Expectations were for a tough game following the hard fought draw between the teams back in December, and this proved to be the case.

Blyth kicked off with the wind at their backs and immediately exerted pressure on the Sparta defence. An early shot by Blyth’s number 9 was well saved by Joel Stoneman and another wind assisted effort from distance hit the bar and bounced over – a close call!. At this stage the reds were finding it difficult to get out of their own half. Eventually the shackles were broken when Thomas Webster made a good break from defence, fed the ball to Lee Latimer who in turn played a dangerous through ball to Paul Stoneman, which was just intercepted by the Blyth defence. Play then became concentrated in the middle of the park with both midfields battling well. Another break down the Blyth right was well cleared up by Billy Hall and another shot from distance cleared Joel’s crossbar. At the other end a good interchange between Latimer, Jonathan Sharp and Stoneman forced a great save by the Blyth keeper. The quarter ended with another Webster break feeding Latimer, whose shot hit the post - honours even at 0-0 at the end of quarter one.

With the wind now at Sparta’s back, the early exchanges took place in the Blyth half of the field with a shot on the turn by Webster being well saved. The first Blyth attack of the quarter saw a good passing move ending with a fierce shot which Joel got both hands to, but the ball looped agonisingly over the line giving Rangers a 1-0 lead. Shields then mounted an attack of their own, with a good passing move giving Danny Barlow a shooting opportunity which was well saved by the Blyth keeper. More Depor pressure but good defending by Hall and Jordan Scarth saw off the potential threat. The game became end to end at this stage with a dangerous Sparta raid resulting in a corner which was well cleared and a quick Blyth break ending up with a corner at the other end. Eventually the reds were rewarded with an equaliser when the hard working Barlow switched a great diagonal ball into the Blyth penalty box and Thomas ghosted in behind the defence and just in front of the onrushing keeper to plant the ball in the net. Sparta then started playing some good stuff, and a good passing move between Latimer, Scarth and Stoneman provided another shooting opportunity for Barlow. Honours again even at the end of the second quarter at 1-1.

The third quarter started with Blyth pressure, but strong defending and tackling by the reds defence meant that Joel Stoneman’s goal was not under threat. At the other end, a fine break by Barlow as he carried the ball from defence into the Rangers half and fed a fine ball to Paul Stoneman, whose rifled left foot shot was well saved by the Blyth keeper, but the ball broke to edge of the box and was lashed in to the top corner by the impressive Matthew Selby again with his left foot. A particularly pleasing goal for Michael and Chris whose training often concentrates on shooting with the ‘wrong foot’, and now really paid off. 2-1 to Sparta. Play switched to the other end and following a Blyth corner a shot was deflected on to the Reds bar. There then followed some great football by Sparta with Barlow, Stoneman, Sharp and Selby putting some super passing moves together but a third goal proved elusive. At the other end sound tackling by Scarth and Hall with the safe hands of Joel Stoneman kept Blyth at bay. 2-1 at the end of the third period.

The fourth quarter was a tense affair with the bulk of the play taking place in the central third of the field and both midfields battling and tackling well. Of the few chances, Sparta went close following a strong Scarth clearance. Sharp and Latimer then combined well, which resulted in a Sparta corner but Blyth broke quickly from the flag kick and only a solid Barlow challenge averted the danger. Further good defending by Selby sent Sharp away and his shot was just wide of the goal. This proved to be the final chance of the game and Sparta held on for a well deserved 2-1 victory, with Selby richly deserving his man of the match award for a strong and pacy display which caused Deportivo no end of problems.

M.O.M: Matthew Selby

Northumberland Mini Soccer League
Serie A, Sunday 27th January ‘08
North Shields Sparta 0 FC Morpeth 2

North Shields’ second league game of the new season started with the reds kicking with the extremely strong and gusty wind and with the added early advantage of the sloping pitch. However, despite shots from Danny Barlow, Matthew Selby, Lee Latimer, Jonathan Sharp and Paul Stoneman, Sparta were unable to score and take the lead in the first quarter. Joel Stoneman had only one dangerous moment to deal with as the Morpeth No.4 hurtled towards goal and Joel had to smother the ball at his feet.

During the second quarter Morpeth managed what Sparta had failed to do – score! As North Shields struggled to deal with the blustery conditions, a Morpeth attack resulted in a speculative looping shot rebounding off the cross-bar only to be met by an alert Yellows player who just managed to get to ball as Joel was about to pounce on it and made no mistake in putting the ball away to take the lead.

Sparta didn’t take the goal lying down however, there were several chances to draw level before half time. Jordan Scarth made a great run from the back into the Morpeth penalty area but was thwarted by the Yellows impressive goal-keeper and some superb dribbling by Thomas Webster saw him through into a shooting position only to be cut out by the rapidly back tracking Morpeth defenders. The quarter ended with a scramble in the Morpeth penalty area which none of the Sparta boys could connect with.

Shields had another opportunity for the strong wind to increase their chances of pushing a shot past the Morpeth keeper in the third session. A series of three corners early on should have seen a goal but the wind was too strong to allow the ball to stay ‘pitch side’of the goal line. Latimer, working strong and tirelessly as ever, watched as his shot was tipped over by the Morpeth goalie before another run provided a pass to Selby who just missed out on the necessary connection.

Danny Barlow had another shot saved before a crack from Lee Latimer, which looked like a certain goal was stopped magnificently by the Morpeth keeper. Joel Stoneman made a similarly impressive save down at the other end of the park before the whistle was blown for the end of the quarter.

The fourth quarter saw the best football, unfortunately that began with nice move bringing a second goal for Morpeth in the first minute. But the Sparta boys seem strangely on occasion to play better once the pressure is off and today was no exception. It seemed evident to those watching that it was going to be ‘one of those days’ but it didn’t stop Shields from turning it on in the last few minutes of the game as the lads began to pass it around meaningfully even with the against them. Barlow had a shot knocked wide by a Morpeth defender, Sharp made a promising run past the significantly taller Morpeth No.7, passed the ball into the box to be met by Latimer but again the shot was wide of the upright. Stoneman made a similar run down the right again managing to place the ball into the goal mouth but the shot from Sharp was cut out by the Yellows’ keeper.

The game ended with a left foot Exocet rocket from Danny Barlow that was saved superbly by Morpeth’s keeper to end a disappointing game for the Sparta boys.

In hindsight the game should probably not have been played as it became a bit of a lottery, but too many Sparta players drifted in and out of the game and allowed themselves to be bullied out of challenges to get a stronghold on the game.

Maybe improved weather conditions on their next outing will bring better luck away to Blyth Rangers Deportivo.

MOM - Danny Barlow.

Northumberland Mini Soccer League
Serie A, Sunday 13th January ‘08
North Shields Sparta 1 Whitley Bay FC Ajax 0
Own goal

North Shields Sparta’s Winter League 2008 campaign started on a dry and reasonably mild January morning with a repeat of the Autumn League fixture against Whitley Bay FC Ajax and a chance to avenge that 4-3 defeat.

Whitley Bay blue and white’s kicked off the match and from the outset it was end-to-end stuff. Jonathan Sharp, Matthew Selby and Paul Stoneman linking up well to provide Selby with Sparta’s first shot, unfortunately it passed just wide of the upright. Then it was Whitley Bay’s turn, their strike collected safely by Joel Stoneman in the Shields goal.

Both sides had corners awarded in the first period but neither could capitalise on the free cross. Thomas Webster made a superb run and timely tackle to deny Ajax a shooting opportunity and Billy Hall was proving a worthy adversary for Whitley’s skillful No.7. Lee Latimer caught a ball at almost point blank range in the face before the break but managed to recover remarkably quickly.

The second quarter started with some great work by Webster and a shooting opportunity for Danny Barlow, again the ball went wide of the post. Then Whitley began to challenge the Sparta defence, Hall was tested down the left before play switched to the right hand side where Lee Latimer and Jordan Scarth needed to be on their guard to cut out several Ajax runs on goal. North Shields had a number of goal attempts, most notably a Latimer shot that was blocked and a corner that saw a clever run by Scarth allow him to cross the ball into the goalmouth to Stoneman. Unfortunately the ball was just too high for Paul to connect with but this was a promising move nontheless.

The next chance brought a goal, some fairly sustained Sparta pressure led to a loose ball bouncing high in the Ajax box that a Whitley Bay defender under pressure from Webster managed to knock up in the air and sail high over the Whitley keeper and into the back of the net for 1-0. Shields kept up the pressure, Scarth had another shot saved on the line as he continued to press forward from the back but as Barlow battled in midfield the Ajax number 7 striker collected the loose ball and ran swiftly towards goal. Cue goalmouth pinball as a scrappy goal line clearance from the Sparta defence somehow managed to keep the ball out of the goal. Barlow had another shot into the side netting before the break and Latimer was inspirational down the left wing, getting knocked over at one point and managing to stand-up while still keeping possession!

Sparta started the second half with some good football and some excellent through balls from Barlow, but an early break by Sharp resulted in a cross that Selby picked up in the penalty area but he snatched at his shot to send it just wide. Again Whitley Bay switched play to the other end and yet another goalmouth scramble saw Sparta clear their lines. A fine Shields move saw the ball switched from right to left where Sharp connected beautifully to send a measured shot agonisingly just wide of the far corner! However, where the reds had spent the first half passing to each other when there were chances to shoot, during the second half the situation was reversed, players were shooting when others were better placed.

Sparta managed to weather the storm in the final quarter with Scarth showing some good form, and late on Danny went past two players only to hit the bar with a trademark left foot ‘Barlow Blaster’. Webster also had two chances, a shot that was deflected and a header that just cleared the cross-bar from a corner. Goalkeeper Stoneman saved a very awkward curling high ball from the ‘other’ Ajax number 7 (they had two of them again!), before the referee blew the final whistle and a North Shields win was assured.

Not a resounding victory but coming from a defeat against the same team in November, a job well done as Sparta just did enough to win.

M.O.M – Danny Barlow

Northumberland Mini Soccer League
Division 1, Sunday 23rd December ’07
Blyth Town Whites 0 North Shields Sparta 5
Latimer 2, Stoneman, Barlow, Selby

On a cold crisp December morning we arrived at the Blyth ground full of trepidation as the sheltered pitch appeared frosty and hard under foot. The fears were dispelled an hour later following a cracking match.

The Whites kicked off, and the opening few minutes were a tentative affair with both teams pushing for the opening goal. The first chance fell to Paul Stoneman, following a through ball played along the ground by Lee Latimer, and this was denied by a last ditch saving tackle. At the other end a dangerous break by the Whites number 10 was thwarted by a great last ditch tackle by Danny Barlow. The opener came following a run and shot by Latimer which resulted in a corner. From the corner a snap shot by Danny was well saved by Blyth’s keeper and the ball fell to Stoneman who made no mistake. The Reds began to apply pressure and from a great pass by Stoneman, Latimer skipped past a challenge and planted the ball in the net for 2-0. At the other end the Whites created a couple of good chances but were denied by good defending by Billy Hall and a couple of tremendous saves by Joel Stoneman.

The second quarter started the same as the first, at one end a long ranger from Jordan Scarth just off target and Joel Stoneman saving well at the other end from the Whites’ number 9. The Reds’ nerves were settled when a long through ball by Scarth found Barlow whose shot found the back of the net. Another dangerous break by the Whites was cleared by Hall and at the other end Stoneman, Barlow and the busy Latimer combined well testing the Whites defence and their in-form keeper.

This continued into the third quarter with Matthew Selby and Stoneman causing Blyth’s defence problems. This nearly resulted in the fourth goal, when a corner from Selby was turned onto his own post by a Blyth defender. At the other end, Blyth’s number 9 still posed a threat and went close with a good effort on goal. Eventually the Shields pressure paid off when a through ball by the industrious Barlow found Latimer who made no mistake for his second. The Reds were now playing some good football and a fifth goal soon followed when good work by Latimer gave Selby the opportunity to score which he took very well. At the other end Blyth still posed some problems and the Sparta defence had to remain on their toes.

The fourth quarter saw the Reds on the attack from the first whistle and efforts by Barlow, Thomas Webster and Latimer were well saved by the Whites keeper. This pressure was maintained for the whole quarter but the Reds were unable to add to their tally and the score finished at 5-0.

Overall another great performance and another well earned clean sheet!

M.O.M – Danny Barlow

Northumberland Mini Soccer League
Division 1, Sunday 16th December ’07
North Shields Sparta 1 Tynemouth United 0
Barlow

It was a dry but bitterly cold Sunday morning that greeted both teams this week, As Sparta met a free scoring Tynemouth outfit who’d made some good new signings since the start of the season and were now a formidable side. Shields kicked off and within seconds won a corner. Matthew Selby managed an early shot on goal from the corner kick but saw the ball run wide of the left hand post. The action immediately shifted to the other end and Joel Stoneman needed to slide and meet the ball at the feet of the Tynemouth forward to deny them an opening goal.

The reds then had some defending to do with Lee Latimer, Thomas Webster, Billy Hall and Jonathan Sharp all focused on preventing the Tynemouth players from making progress and making plenty of strong,well timed challenges in the process. Play changed again and Paul Stoneman had a shot palmed away by the impressive Tynemouth keeper, unfortunately there was no-one there to meet the rebound. Then the yellows broke through the midfield and Joel was forced to pull off a great save from a fierce Tynemouth shot to keep the scores level. The final highlight of the quarter was a free kick awarded after Sharp was tripped just outside the box. Latimer’s curled left foot effort beat the wall and the keeper but rattled against the cross bar for ‘Shields best chance of the first session.

The second quarter started with the majority of play over on the left flank, Webster was unmarked on the right for several minutes and soon made the most of this by picking up a loose ball and making a run on goal. His shot was blocked by the Tynemouth keeper and Stoneman couldn’t keep his volleyed rebound low enough to avoid the ball sailing over the top of the goal. Sparta kept up the pressure, some great work by Danny Barlow allowing Jordan Scarth to make a good run before three Tynemouth players crowded him out. Stoneman had a golden chance to break the deadlock as he closed down the United keeper and blocked his clearance to gain possession, but his snatched left foot shot under pressure just screwed wide of the empty net.

Tynemouth managed to switch the play again in the third quarter and breaking through the centre were denied a shooting opportunity by a simply awesome Joel Stoneman – later awarded a full ten out of ten for his performance by managers Michael and Chris. Every goalscoring chance that passed without the yellows managing to put the ball away kept Sparta encouraged as the lads continued to defend doggedly with Billy Hall having a superb game at the back. Webster was containing their no.10, who looked along with the no.12 to be a danger and twice Thomas managed to break away on goal himself. His first effort brought a fine save by the Tynemouth keeper and his second again tested their defence as the ball veered towards the bottom right hand corner. Stoneman’s long run down the right resulted in a first class cross falling to a sprinting and off-balance Barlow who couldn’t quite make the required connection. The crowd sensed as the final quarter drew nearer and the score stood at nil-nil that the game could swing either way.

The last quarter was a real end to end affair as Sparta stayed solid and Jack Anderson swept up well in the Tynemouth reaguard. Sharp had a shot saved in the first minute for Sparta before Tynemouth immediately transferred the play to the other end and again tested Joel Stoneman. Shields then won a corner that came to nothing and United yet again managed another run and shot on goal which ran well wide.

Selby found a way through the yellows defence only to have his shot saved and then, a great chance. Sparta won a free kick just outside the box on the left side of goal. Barlow stepped up to take it and encouraged by ‘the boss’ hit a left foot ‘Barlow blaster’ that rocketed into the top right hand corner of the goal, sending the Sparta supporters into raptures in the process!

The last few minutes were frantic, Tynemouth winning a free kick themselves that needed the safe handling of in-form Joel Stoneman to contain but the whistle finally blew and Sparta had earned a hard fought victory.

This was a tight, evenly matched game in which both defences dominated and Sparta couldn’t get their passing game going to test the yellows’ keeper as much as they would have liked. However the lads showed that they can also be strong, determined and defend well after some basic mistakes let in some sloppy goals in their previous match.

Well done boys, determination and tenacity winning the game today.

M.O.M – Joel Stoneman

Northumberland Mini Soccer League Cup
Sunday 25th November ’07
North Shields Sparta 2 Whitley Bay Boys Club Blues 6
Selby, Sharp

Sparta started their home cup-tie against a robust Whitley Bay side who had lost only two of their eleven league games and had defeated the Reds 7-1 who played very poorly at their last meeting in the league.

The dreary December morning game started with WBBC Blues winning a corner in the first minute, but it was Sparta who were making the majority of the running in the opening session with Lee Latimer and Jonathan Sharp making some fine tackles in midfield. Matthew Selby connected with a ball from a throw-in to set up Paul Stoneman to fire in a shot that needed a good save from the Whitley Bay keeper to deny the Shields centre forward.

Then, from a floated cross the ball struck Whitley Bay’s number 2 on the back of the head and although he knew little about the direction of the ball from thereon, cruelly it ended up in the back of the Shields net. Sparta tried to bounce straight back, Matthew Selby hitting the outside of thepost with a shot from a short corner. Then a breakthrough, Stoneman picked up the ball from a throw in and slotted it into the path of Selby who made no mistake in clinching the equaliser.

The remainder of the quarter saw Whitley Bay increase the pressure, at one point the ball ran across the face of the Shields goal but there was no-one from the Blues there to capitalise on the opportunity. Then Joel Stoneman cut out another Whitley chance before they finally made a rapid run straight through the centre of the park and to put them 2-1 up as the Sparta defence were static at the end of the quarter.

Bay started the second quarter the way they had ended the first – again with a goal from more ball watching in the reds defence. Then, despite some heroic defending by Billy Hall and Danny Barlow down the left hand side, Whitley managed to score their fourth, leaving Sparta with a huge hill to climb if they were to get anything from the game. To their credit Shields kept playing, they were unlucky not to make more of a well headed knock-on from Thomas Webster to put Stoneman one-on-one with the keeper, but Whitley’s goalie did enough to narrow the shooting angle and Paul’s shot ended up running just wide of the right hand upright. Another chance came soon after as Latimer slotted a fine cross field pass for Stoneman but the keeper applied enough pressure for Paul to force the ball wide of goal.

Whitley battled on however and some slick defending by Webster, Jordan Scarth and Lee Latimer was needed to keep them from extending their lead. Lee’s tough tit-for-tat encounters with the Blues number two on the left wing ended with Lee falling to the ground in agony with a stud injury to the top of his foot. The quarter ended with some determined and skilful football from Danny Barlow, whose finest moment of the half was as he chased diagonally across the pitch to head off a marauding Whitley forward and cut out what was a sure-fire shooting opportunity.

The second half started with Joel Stoneman again under pressure, he made two fine saves in as many minutes, the second from a long range shot before disaster struck and the Blues scored again to make it 5-1. Damage limitation could have been the tactic from then on but the Sparta boys continued to fight back, a great cross from Jonathan Sharp finding Selby who let fly only to hit the post – Stoneman managed to connect with the rebound but couldn’t keep the ball from clearing the cross-bar. Billy Hall’s tanacity in defence gave the boys some hope and he then brought the ball out of defence to coolly sidestep a challenge and knock a great pass down the right wing but another Selby cross landed just too far from Stoneman for him to get a shot at goal.

The final quarter started with some more determined and unphased defending from Barlow forcing the Blues to shoot wide in the first minute. Then a great throw from Webster and some pressure down the right wing won the reds a corner. The ball in was just too high for Thomas to get good control and it unfortunately drifted away from goal.

Then some of the best football in the game from Sparta. Barlow putting a great right footed pass through to Latimer who fired the ball at the Whitley Bay goal. The keeper knocked it out but it was met by a Jonathan Sharp left foot volley and the looped into the top right hand corner through a crowded goalmouth to secure another consolation for North Shields.

Sparta seemed to step up a gear but it was too little too late and despite another great save from Joel Stoneman, WBBC Blues managed a sixth and final goal with a speculative shot which took a strange bounce towards the end.

The 6-2 final result to a large degree flattered a physical WBBC Blues side ( Lee Latimer appeared to take the brunt of it!) but Sparta, despite expending a huge amount of effort appeared to be guilty of too much ball watching giving away too many sloppy goals as a result and were lacking enough creativity.

Onwards and upwards, the lads battled well but back to the league campaign next week and another Whitley Bay BC team – the Whites.

M.O.M – Jonathan Sharp

Northumberland Mini Soccer League
Division 1, Sunday 25th November ’07
North Shields Sparta 2 Blyth Rangers Deportivo 2
Webster (2)

North Shields Sparta kicked off their latest home game on a dry, late November morning against a Blyth team who were four places above them in the league and who had won seven of their nine games this season.

After choosing to kick west to east in the hope of gaining what small advantage there may have been from the slight slope on the John Spence pitch, Sparta kicked off and were straight into the action. A corner won in the first minute leading to a Lee Latimer shot that was superbly blocked by the Blyth keeper and the rebound was met by Paul Stoneman whose shot ran inches wide. The reds kept up the pressure at the Blyth end of the pitch and when a loose ball fell to Thomas Webster who had pushed up from the back, his first time long range shot absolutely rocketed into the top right hand corner to take Sparta into an early lead. – what a goal!!! North Shields continued to move forward, Matthew Selby sending a great ball through to Paul Stoneman whose shot was again knocked wide of the upright by the impressive Deportivo goalkeeper.

From a slow started Blyth then seemed to step up a gear. Webster ran back three-quarters of the length of the pitch to make a great defensive tackle before Billy Hall cut out another threatening cross to try and keep the ball out of the Shields penalty area. The play was frantic for the last few moments of the first quarter, a tremendous run by Selby down the right ending with a firm shot and emphatic save from the Blyth keeper, then the play switched to the other end and Joel Stoneman needed to be alert to beat the Blyth striker bearing down on the awkwardly bouncing ball. Finally another chance for Paul Stoneman was knocked out for a corner and as Paul met the corner kick his shot was yet again saved. Brother Joel was needed once more before the break making a fine save to keep a clean sheet.

The second period started with a dangerous looking Deportivo shot being headed over by Danny Barlow and continued with Blyth having the better chances. Joel Stoneman showed great handling in the opening minutes and Thomas Webster battled with Blyth’s strongest challenger, (another Thomas!) down their left wing. Then from a Sparta goal kick a series of excellent passes found the in-form Webster who lifted his shot over the Blyth keeper who couldn’t keep it out to make it 2-0 to the home side. With Sparta’s confidence on a high they tried to increase their lead, first Danny Barlow jinked past three Blyth players down the left to deliver a great cross for Webster whose header just went wide – almost a fine hat trick! Then the hard working and dependable Lee Latimer, following a solid interception to thwart a Blyth run, slotted the ball through to Paul Stoneman who was immediately closed down by the improving Deportivo defenders and Sparta had to settle for a two goal lead at half-time although they were well in control of the game. Would the lads be made to regret those missed opportunities?

North Shields started the third quarter well - shots from Jonathan Sharp, Barlow and Stoneman just failed to have enough to beat the Blyth keeper. However it was Deportivo who managed to change the scoreline as Hall stuck out a leg attempting to block a Blyth shot and the deflection unluckily took the ball into the back of a forlorn looking Stoneman’s net. This unlucky break didn’t halt the Shields’ challenge. Sharp showed some neat touches as Selby continued to dominate the right hand flank as he battled and ran at Blyth and Barlow had a fine shot that the Deportivo goalkeeper had to put his whole body behind to ensure the momentum didn’t carry the ball into the net. Seconds later another piece of bad luck as ‘Masher’ Selby fashioned an opportunity for himself but saw his low drive cannon off the post. Just one more worrying moment for keeper Stoneman to deal with before the final break but the 2-1 lead was a slender one for Sparta to hang onto going into the final session…

Jordan Scarth made the first attempt for Sparta in the last session, Blyth’s keeper again making a top class diving save to deny the Shields No.5. Then Webster headed over on his return to the pitch. Barlow and Latimer kept the ball in the Blyth half as much as they could, working hard up and down the pitch and winning a series of corners as the seconds ticked away. Then disaster, as Sparta tired and Bly