NABC U15 LEAGUE FIVE

LONGHOUGHTON travelled to in-form Blyth Rangers for this top-of-the-table winner-takes-all clash, with the victors carrying off the league title.

Longhoughton had the best of the early exchanges playing some good passing football that Blyth struggled to match at times.

The striking pair of Rhys Ainslie and Tommy 'Tackle' Dodd went close on several occasions but Rangers were unable to capitalise on their early pressure.

Having worked on a left-sided game plan for the first 15 minutes which had not heralded a goal, a change was needed. A reorganisation in midfield saw David Troy come in from the left-wing to centre-midfield, exchanging with Alistair 'Smudger' Smith, with Aaron Beattie winning every header in the middle of the park and Russ Mallaburn having a fine game on the right side of midfield.

Longhoughton started to threaten Blyth's goal on a regular basis.

On 18 minutes, a front-line substitution saw Sam Jarockyj replace Dodd and within five minutes he had notched Longhoughton's crucial first goal from a good move down the left and cross by Smith. Jarockyj unleashed a terrific right-foot volley to give the keeper no chance (1-0).

Longhoughton dominated right up to half-time hitting the post twice in quick succession.

Blyth were fortunate to be still in the game at the break, but the half-time team talk was to keep things tight and compete for everything.

That's exactly what the Longhoughton lads did, with the away keeper and defence of Tom Francis, Sam Shepherd, Callum Batey, Liam Crow and Rory Donaldson rarely troubled.

On 50 minutes, Crowe went on his holidays with a fantastic run from the back, eventually passing to Troy, who played a one-two with Smith, then played in Beattie to end the move with the finish it deserved, smashing the ball into the roof of the net (2-0).

Longhoughton were now in their stride and playing some great one-touch football that Blyth could only watch at times.

Smith was taking some punishing tackles down the Longhoughton right, going down heavily with a cry of "I've twisted my shin pad" – not heard in these parts since Marcellino pulled on a Newcastle shirt. It was not quite bad enough to call the air ambulance but a laugh nonetheless.

With chances going begging Longhoughton never quite finished off a spirited home team, so with another two chances hitting the base of the post for the visitors.

Longhoughton expected Blyth to make one last-ditch effort and that's exactly what they did. With 20 minutes remaining, Blyth forced through the middle of Longhoughton's back four to snatch one back (2-1).