It’s final agony for youngsters

Photo: Chris Sunderland

ON THE CHARGE . . . Athletic’s Jack Laird tries to make inroads into the Darlington defence.

A FLUKE goal was responsible for Athletic's 1-0 defeat to visitors Darlington in the northern final of the Football League Youth Alliance Cup.

The game was scoreless entering its last 20 minutes, when a misplaced cross somehow found a way into the net.

"We didn't deserve to lose and a draw would have been a fair result," said head of youth Tony Philliskirk.

Athletic fielded a weakened side with both Carl Winchester and James Tarkowski away on first-team duty at Notts County.

The best chance of the game for the home side fell to Connor Hughes, who forced an excellent save from the Darlington goalkeeper.


TWO days later, Athletic's under-18s found glory with a knock-out triumph.
Goalkeeper Dale Connor saved four consecutive penalties in a shoot-out to defeat Tranmere and reach the final of the Lancashire FA Youth Cup.

Athletic won the shoot-out 2-1 after the match had finished level at 1-1 after 90 minutes.

Tranmere took the lead after 20 minutes, with Hughes — who started on the bench due to an ankle injury — netting a screamer from outside the area to equalise.

David Mellor had a chance to win the game outright in the fourth minute of added time, but fired his penalty over the crossbar.