A chilly but bright morning saw TSC prepare for the first of two games in two days with today’s visitors knowing that victory would make them league champions. Both teams looked sharp during the warm up as they prepared for what promised to be a very competitive encounter.
TSC kicked off and the game started at a fast and furious pace with both teams battling hard in midfield for possession of the ball. Daniel Leroi Smith, Oscar Taylor, Jack Hurworth and Sam Graham were working extremely hard to cut out the passing football Leven were trying to play and at the same time were trying to pass the ball about between themselves. The first few minutes were evenly matched with neither side really putting either defence under pressure. Oscar Taylor played a good ball to Sam Graham whose pass to Daniel Leroi Smith was intercepted by a Leven player. Leven then played a great ball down the middle of the field and the TSC defence found themselves outnumbered three on two. Lewis Johnson and Luke Chrystal worked brilliantly together putting the Leven attack under pressure to win back possession for TSC. Leven then had a good spell of possession and the TSC defensive duo had to be at their best with both Luke Chrystal and Lewis Johnson having to defend a series of Leven attacks. Jack Hurworth and Daniel Leroi Smith were also in the thick of the action helping the defenders break up the Leven onslaught. Leven did manage to get a shot on target but Nathan Lamb was on his toes and smothered the shot confidently. Nathan then played an early ball out to Luke Chrystal who controlled well then pressed forward. Luke then played a great long ball to Jack Hurworth who controlled the ball expertly taking one touch before passing to Oscar Taylor. Oscar skipped past his marker then played the ball back to Jack Hurworth before continuing his run, Jack read the situation perfectly and played the ball straight back into the path of Oscar Taylor who shot low straight into the bottom left corner of the Leven goal. TSC 1 – 0 Leven, that was absolutely brilliant passing football from TSC, what a great move.
Leven went straight on the counter attack from the restart and TSC had to be at their best to contain a team who were also playing some great passing football. TSC defended well as a unit with Luke Chrystal, Lewis Johnson, Daniel Leroi Smith and Jack Hurworth all working extremely hard to make sure that Leven couldn’t get a clear shot at Nathan Lamb’s goal. Nathan made a long clearance down field and Sam Graham did well to control the ball and then turn his marker. Sam looked up and made a good pass to Jack Hurworth, Jack went on a mazy run going past two Leven defenders, he then placed a shot towards the bottom left corner of the goal, the shot came off the post and Oscar Taylor pounced on the rebound but his shot went agonisingly wide… so close.Leven had time for one more attack and again they pushed forward in numbers putting together a number of good passing moves. A Leven attacker tried to shoot from distance but the ball went over the Bar, Nathan Lamb had it covered though. The half time whistle went with TSC just edging it and ahead by one goal to nil. Leven started the second half very positively and instantly put the TSC goal under pressure. Luke Chrystal and Lewis Johnson were however in no mood to be beaten and continued to work hard to thwart the Leven attackers. Jack Hurworth, Sam Graham and Daniel Leroi Smith found themselves having to help out the defence as Leven looked to get the equaliser but TSC were working well as a unit. TSC were not going to sit back and soak up the pressure however and another good long ball from Luke Chrystal found Daniel Leroi Smith in space. Daniel took the ball well and showed good technique to beat two Leven players using drag backs to wrong foot them. Daniel then played a good ball to Sam Graham who passed early to Oscar Taylor. Oscar controlled the ball well with his back to goal and then spun past his marker to give himself space to shoot, the Leven keeper did well pushing the ball over the bar. The corner was well taken but after bouncing around in the Leven box it was cleared up field. Suddenly TSC found themselves under pressure and outnumbered, a Leven Midfielder played the ball forward long and high. The Ball bounced awkwardly and allowed the Leven attacker to nip between the TSC defender and Goal keeper and chip the ball in the top of the TSC goal. TSC 1 – 1 Leven, got to give it to the Leven striker he took that chance really well. The equaliser really put the wind into the sails of Leven and they sensed that they still had a chance to win the game. Leven again pushed forward in numbers but TSC defended in numbers and didn’t give the Leven players time to settle on the ball. Leven were throwing everything at TSC but Lewis Johnson, Daniel Leroi Smith, Luke Chrystal, Jack Hurworth and Sam Graham all remained remarkably calm, intercepting the Leven attacks and trying to play their way forward. TSC continued to defend well and a long clearance by Sam Graham found Oscar Taylor, Oscar controlled the ball well and then brilliantly wrong footed his marker before setting off on a powerful run towards the Leven goal. Oscar closed in on the Leven goal and just as he was about to shoot a last ditch challenge from a Leven defender averted the danger. Leven again pushed forward and only some good last ditch challenges from Luke Chrystal and Lewis Johnson and good goal keeping from Nathan Lamb kept the scores even. Leven won several successive corners and again it was cool defending this time from Jack Hurworth and Daniel Leroi Smith which prevented Leven from getting a clear chance on goal. It was backs to the wall stuff for TSC now as Leven pushed everyone forward, another save from Nathan Lamb and another corner for Leven. The corner was taken well and headed away by Lewis Johnson, it was played back into the TSC box and cleared by Luke Chrystal, Leven took a shot from the edge of the box… side netting… that was close. With minutes to go TSC cleared their lines and tried to press forward, Jack Hurworth played the ball forward to Oscar Taylor, Oscar tried to go past his man but was dispossessed. The ball was played forward again and the Leven attacker shot from the edge of the box straight towards the top right corner… goal… no no no … what a great defensive header from Jack Hurworth, that looked like a goal all day long but Jack popped up from nowhere kept his eye on the ball and headed it off the line… fantastic stuff. Leven pressed again but Luke Chrystal, Lewis Johnson and Jack Hurworth closed down the Leven attackers winning the ball back for TSC then clearing up field. The ball reached Oscar Taylor who held the ball up well then played the ball to Sam Graham, Sam passed to Daniel Leroi Smith who ran downfield taking the pressure off the TSC defence. The whistle sounded and the game came to an end at TSC 1 – 1 Leven. There were mixed emotions at Abbey School, Jubilation from the Newton Aycliffe Panthers players who had come to see the game and were now celebrating winning the league and devastation for the Leven players who had finished a very close second. I have to congratulate both teams on a great season and wish them all the best for next year.

REPORT BY ADRIAN CHRYSTAL

Coaches Notes
The work rate, team work, techniques and passing play shown by you all today was fantastic. That was a really good game and you should all be very proud of how you played. You are really working well as a team now and the team spirit is evident, keep it up, keep playing your best, keep learning and the rest will follow.

Man of the Match – Jack Hurworth: That was a brilliant performance today, you worked hard, defended and attacked well and produced an all round performance. Your last ditch defensive header alone was worth the man of the match award. Well done Jack.