The club entered the FA Youth Cup for the first time this season and were given a home draw in the first qualifying round against Evostick League club Workington AFC U18 side. The hornets went into the game a little blind as we didn't know anything about our opposition, however the opportunity for the U18's to represent the club and play at the sports ground under the floodlights was one the lads were thriving for.
In front of a massive crowd of 135 the game kicked off 10 minutes delayed due to the late arrival of Workington AFC, from the outset of the first whistle the visitors looked a strong athletic team and the U18 manager Richy
anticipated a tough game. The young hornets started to weigh up the opposition and matched the visitors with some high intensity play, however on 10 minutes a sucker punch, the referee awarding a corner kick after a
goal line clearance from a Hebburn, only for the assistant referee to flag for a penalty after correctly seeing the defender used his hand/arm to stop the ball going in the net, the player remained on the pitch due to not being
clearly identified, however the resulting penalty was scored making it 1-0 to the visitors. This immediately put the hornets on the back foot and they were chasing the game.
A indifferent first period where the visitors pressed hard seen the game finish 4-0 to Workington at half-time.
Hebburn came out in the second half with a renewed energy but a massive uphill task, the team pressed high and had players moving forward in an attempt to pull a goal or two back, but this left many gaps which to their
credit Workington AFC manipulated and further condemned the hornets. The young Hebburn U18's worked their socks off but the stark reality was they played a very very good Workington AFC side that was full of players
although U18 who have experienced higher level football and the fitness proved difficult for the young hornets. The game finished with Hebburn conceding 13 goals without reply.
The night was a decent first night for the club in the competition for the first time, although the result didn't go our way we got a great crowd in to watch (one of the biggest at the sports ground this season) and we were
credited for being good hosts, our aim is moving into the future years we build on what we have learnt this time round and prepare ourselves on the pitch as well as of it.
Huge credit to Richy, Steve and their U18 side for giving a great show and working hard representing the club.
