Willington Quay Saints vs Newcastle Independent FÇ
0 - 2
02 September 2020 · Northern Football Alliance League sponsored by The Reeves Group<br>Reeves Independant 1st Division
Home league match played on 02 September 2020.
Kicked off at 6:00 PM
0-2
vs Newcastle Independent FÇ
Home league match
The Saints returned to competitive football for the first time in 6 months with a disappointing 2-0 defeat to a very strong Newcastle Independent side.
Ethan Dodgson made his Saints debut in goal with Matty Cartright also making a first start after 2 previous sub appearances. Hutton, Mcgorrigan and Rafferty were missing with bad injuries picked up in pre season while last seasons top scorer Joe Connor is still on holiday.
Independent started the better side with Petrache unlucky with a header from a corner that sailed just over the bar.
They were ahead on 25 minutes when a free kick was blocked by the Saints wall into the path of Craig Jelley who smashed an unstoppable shot into the top corner from 25 yards.
Alex Foreman looked sharp for the Quay going on a mazy run before firing across goal where a lack of support saw his ball go to waste.
The pacy Wilson Kneeshaw should of doubled the away sides lead as he burst through the Quay defence before slashing a wild shot past the post.
Hood and Ancrum were booked in a very niggly first half with the Saints lucky to have 11 on the pitch after Ancrum went in head first with an opponent.
Debutant Dodgson then produced a great finger tip save to deny forward Stew Wrights powerful strike just before half time.
Ross Thirlaway made a return to the Quay replacing Hoody just after half time and he created what would be the only Saints shot on target in the game as he sent over a great cross that Alex Foreman met n the half volley but the visiting keeper made a smart save.
The rest of the game saw Independent dominate but fail to make the game safe as Kneeshaw missed another great chance before Dodgson made 2 or 3 stunning saves to keep the Quay in the match.
With 5 minutes remaining it was finally game over for the Saints when Kneeshaw finally showed some composure to run onto a through ball and lob Dodga with a nice left footed finish to seal the 3 points.
The Quay have a chance to make amends to their poor display when they face Stobswood at home this Saturday.