Newcastle Football Club
Shropshire Junior Cup (first round)
Newcastle 1, Hopesgate Reserves 2.
Saturday 13th October 2007
Newcastle fall at the first.
Newcastle made their exit from the Shropshire Junior Cup in the first round, against Hopesgate Reserves, going down by two goals to one. Newcastle won this trophy in 2004 at the Gay Meadow, in headier days. Hopesgate came to the Mill Field, full of enthusiasm and the desire to win. Newcastle on the other hand seemed subdued and almost reluctant to take part in the battle. Hopesgate opened the scoring after 20 minutes when they were gifted a goal. A wayward diagonal back pass from mid-field split the Newcastle defence, for the eager Hopesgate forwards to devour the chance presented to them. Hopesgate increased their lead just before the break when Newcastle’s defence opened up like automatic crossing gates for the Hopesgate attack to steam through and score virtually unopposed. The half time team talk by Newcastle’s manager John Goodridge certainly had the desired effect, Newcastle starting the second period like they meant business. Newcastle dominated play resulting in a Mark Jones free kick being headed home by Craig Morris, who put Newcastle back in the match. Newcastle turned up the pressure but the equaliser would not come. Hopesgate’s keeper made two magnificent saves late on from Mark Jones and Craig Morris respectively. Newcastle’s Tom Bright, Jimmy Thomas and Craig Morris did their utmost not to concede defeat.
Newcastle’s next game is a Watson Associates Mid Wales League South clash with Hay on Wye at the Mill Field kick off 3.00pm on Saturday 20th October.