A young Moors side were knocked out of the Durham Challenge Cup by Whickham on Tuesday despite producing a gutsy performance at The Glebe Sports Ground.

Stewart Beattie took his talented Under-18s squad to Tyneside for the Second Round tie, allowing the First Team to concentrate on National League North matters.

Whickham were in need of a victory to bounce back from Saturday’s disappointing 4-0 defeat at home to Kendal Town and they got off to a positive start against Moors.

The hosts were in front just before the quarter-hour mark and then doubled their lead after the break before making it safe with a third in the closing stages.

The 3-0 defeat signalled the end of Moors’ interest in the Durham Challenge Cup for another season but the performance of the Club’s Under-18s drew praise from boss Graeme Lee.

“I spoke to Gavin Cogdon on Wednesday morning about the game and he was very complimentary about how our young lads went about it,” Lee explained.

“It’s still quite early days in their season but, from what I am hearing, they’ve put in some encouraging displays and are representing the Club extremely well.

“It sounds like Tuesday’s performance was one full of desire, commitment and a determination to make the right decisions and I thank you all for stepping up to play in the game.

“Hopefully that experience can stand the young lads in good stead, and we look forward to seeing more of them at The Brewery Field throughout the course of the season.”

Full Time: Whickham 3 Moors 0

Moors: R Johnson, Stewart, Peveller, Beattie, Atkinson, Rose, Bayat, Chapman, Cook, Butler, Tate.
Subs: Houlahan, H Johnson, Dixon, Moran, Coad.

Referee: Richard Goodman.