Youth Review

With the run of bad weather we have had, not many junior section games have been played over the past few months, however a lot of teams are now getting back to league and cup action.

One team is under 16's boys who played a Sentinel Shield Cup match versus Alsager Town Bullets at Wood Park, Alsager. After a massive ten weeks without a fixture and since trying to play this Sentinel Shield game since the turn of the year, coach Roger Whitehurst must have questioned his sides match fitness. However, the team had to get back into it as Alsager Town Bullets were keen to turn over after losing a friendly match to the same side at the end of last season. Roger Whitehurst made the decision to play attacker Lee Brannan out wide left in a unusual move, with Daniel Mounsey moving up top to partner Danny Wade. Thomas Amos and Matthew Dale were then deployed in centre midfield.

The match started and both teams looked to win the midfield battle, with Newcastle creating the few chances. But the first half was stalemate and the teams headed into half time with much to discuss. Roger urged his side to keep playing attacking football and the goals would come, and right he was. Danny Wade, Thomas Amos, Jim Mccue (x2) and Daniel Morris provided a 5-0 win, however not before Alsager had a fantastic drive turned away by evergreen keeper Oliver Cartlidge. So a win that gets the team ready to go back into league action. Coaches Roger Whitehurst and John Nolan were pleased with the win.

Roger Whitehurst has now entered his 9 season managing a side at Newcastle Town and has by far been one of the most successful coaches since it formed. Roger's record as manager hands him 8 trophies in 9 seasons, a record that is second to none. His win ratio is high and his enthusiasm undoubted. A great fundraiser, and vice chairman to our junior section. A great achievement that will be hard for any coach to surpass when Roger finally hangs up his managers coat whenever that will be.

Another interesting piece of news from Roger Whitehurst's side was that one of his players made a breakthrough into the 'A Team' on Saturday 9th February 2008. With the team short on a goalkeeper, Thomas Amos stepped up to the plate and pulled on the keepers jersey. A 2-0 defeat for the 'A Team' at JCB was no shame especially with the side down to ten men after 19 minutes. Keeper Amos saved a penalty and was a revelation. Amos won the man of the match award and proved exactly why this club is all about player development.

While on the subject of the 'A Team', Saturday 9th February 2008 saw Paul Steele step down as Manager in order to concentrate on the Secretary job with the side. Paul felt the side needed a manager and coach in order to take the side forward. Having worked so hard to get a good basis, Paul has now left a basis for a new manager to take over. The team has been unlucky over the season, and has a lot of young players learning their trade ready for first team football. In the dressing room after the lads thanked Paul for all his efforts as manager over the past few months. Now we will see who takes over...... and perhaps a few of you might be surprised who it is......