Moors’ New College Durham Academy bounced back from their opening day defeat with an excellent victory over Sunderland Foundation of Light on Wednesday.
Matty Dolan’s side were on the front foot from the off and Dylan Jones could have made it 1-0 early on when he was denied by the keeper after getting through one-on-one.
However, Moors were also thankful to goalkeeper Jack Harriss who pulled off a brilliant save to prevent Sunderland from taking the lead.
The opening goal arrived early in the second half when Leighton Hope broke through the Sunderland defence. His powerful shot was saved but Lennon Knox was there to volley into the top corner on the rebound.
The hosts rallied and were back on level terms on 65 minutes when the unfortunate Harris saw the ball cannon back off the bar and then deflect off him into the net.
However, Moors were back in front when Hayden Oakes was felled in the box and Hope drilled home the resultant penalty with 20 minutes remaining.
Sunderland had a golden opportunity to level things up again when they were awarded a penalty of their own, but Harris pulled off a tremendous save to preserve Moors’ lead.
Hope, Ashton Robson and Mark Hovarth all had chances to finish the game off in the closing stages but in the end, Moors held on for three points.
“It was a really good team performance and there were some impressive individual displays,” said Dolan afterwards.
“The lads really deserved that win and it was nice to see them get the rewards for putting in so much hard work and hopefully that gives us the boost of confidence going forward now.”
Full Time: Sunderland FOL 1 Moors 2
Moors: Harriss, Robertson (Bell 85), Storey, Stapleton, Dodds (Wright 25), Robson, Brechin (Campbell 60), Oakes (Martin 85), Hope, Knox, Jones (Hovarth 60).
Meanwhile, the Club’s Bede College Academy side produced a gutsy performance to come back from two goals down to claim a point at South Shields.
Ben Beals’ side thought they had gone in front on 11 minutes when Callum Young had the ball in the net only for the referee to rule it out.
Oli Sooderland came close to netting the opener and there was also a strong penalty claim turned down as Moors started the game well.
However, it was Shields who went in front on 38 minutes, and the home side doubled their advantage to make it 2-0 ten minutes into the second half.
Moors got back into it midway through the second period when Sooderland reacted quickest to a blocked shot and fired home for 2-1.
The Mariners restored their two-goal advantage before Sooderland again got on the scoresheet too make it 3-2 after great work in the build-up from Alfie Augay.
It looked like Moors were destined for defeat as the game moved into injury time but then Augay raced onto a wonderful diagonal ball from Deacon to slot a tidy finish into the bottom corner and rescue a point.
“The lads showed great character to keep going until the end,” said Beals.
“We had a few things go against us during the course of the game but the players kept on battling and a point is the least they deserved out of the that.”
Full Time: South Shields 3 Moors 3
Moors: T Smith, Atkinson (Faleye 76), Porter, Simpson, Fish, Augay, Lancaster, Hughes, M Smith (Swinburn 76), Sooderland (Kenning 89), Young (B Smith 67).