St Bedes 4 v Dene Community School 2
The Under 14’s season got under way this week with no fewer than three games for the Year 9’s. First up was the short trip to St Bede’s to play the first round of the County Cup, in monsoon type conditions the boys struggled to get a hold on the game and were 4-0 down at half time. After the break Dene came back into the game scoring two well worked goals courtesy of Darlington Academy player Kieran Cartney. The final ten minutes were pretty much spent camped in the St Bede’s half, so much so that it would have been no surprise if Baden Powell himself had not pitched up and set up camp, but alas it was to no avail. There was no way through and it was an early exit, on form for Dene were Kieran Cartney and Reece Rudkin.
Dene Community School 2 v Academy 360 3
Dene Community School 2 v Academy 360 3
Dene Community Schools first ever league game in the Sunderland Schools FA league ended in an agonising defeat. In an equal first half, 360 took the lead after 11 minutes, only for Dene to peg them back through Kieran Cartney’s third strike of the season. After the break, 360 took full advantage of the wind and the sloping pitch to launch a Stoke City style attack on the Dene goal. With long throws and goal keeper kicks raining in , the busiest guy around was the Carillion security guard behind the goal (and fence) who was retrieving balls with such regularity that at times he resembled an Australian test cricketer during an Ashes test.
The 360 approach, it has to be said was effective. They were soon 2-1 up and to be fair, it could have been 3 or 4, however Dene battled hard and got the scores level with Cartney scoring again with cool finish when one on one with the keeper.
All in all a point a piece would have been a fair result, however 360 with one final bombardment on Lewis Brooms goal had different ideas, snatching all the points with seconds to go. Best for Dene were Kai Watson and Lewis Broom.
Hetton 4 v Dene Community School 3
The 360 approach, it has to be said was effective. They were soon 2-1 up and to be fair, it could have been 3 or 4, however Dene battled hard and got the scores level with Cartney scoring again with cool finish when one on one with the keeper.
All in all a point a piece would have been a fair result, however 360 with one final bombardment on Lewis Brooms goal had different ideas, snatching all the points with seconds to go. Best for Dene were Kai Watson and Lewis Broom.
Hetton 4 v Dene Community School 3
If Academy 360 was agonising this was pure excruciating. Never behind in the game Dene dominated a strong Hetton side that finished second in the league last year. Pools academy player Kai Watson turned in a star performance scoring twice from 25 yards and working in tandem with the equally impressive Sean Pratt ensured Dene stayed on top for long periods. Possession though means nothing if you don’t convert your chances and then go on to concede soft goals, ask Arsene Wenger.
With 3 minutes to play, Dene were 3 -2 up and still missing chances. Then the unthinkable happened, a break up field and it was 3-3, with 15 seconds left a free kick on the right was sent in to the box, everyone left it to each other, one bounce and almost in slow motion it was in the back of the net. 4-3, not even enough time to re-start the game. Say no more. Stand out performers for Dene were Watson, Pratt, Scott and Harbord.
With 3 minutes to play, Dene were 3 -2 up and still missing chances. Then the unthinkable happened, a break up field and it was 3-3, with 15 seconds left a free kick on the right was sent in to the box, everyone left it to each other, one bounce and almost in slow motion it was in the back of the net. 4-3, not even enough time to re-start the game. Say no more. Stand out performers for Dene were Watson, Pratt, Scott and Harbord.
