A junior football team in the region is celebrating their win in a West Division Youth Cup final.

Stocksfield U16’s, who faced Throckley Magpies on Thursday evening in the final of the competition, claimed the cup after a 4-2 victory in a fine performance.

The game, which was played at Prudhoe pitch on a soaking wet night, saw both teams perform strongly however it was Stocksfield who came out on top.

It was the reigning champions who began the game strongly, regularly stringing together a number of chances and the side had been dominating before taking an early lead.

After Stocksfield went a goal up early on thanks to a Sandy Dodgeon strike, Felling fought back and scored twice towards the end of the first half and went into half time with a 1-2 lead.

Their lead could have been by a larger margin too had it not been for 'keeper Scott O’Dwyer, who performed a string of fine saves to keep the game within his side's reach.

Stocksfield - who were looking to make it four straight West Division Cup wins at U16 level - responded in fine style in the second half and it was striker Zak Campbell who stole the show.

The youngster hit an 18 minute hat trick early in the second half to turn the game on its head and they kept their composure to claim the victory.

A goal from Campbell just a minute into the second half pulled the side level, before he then hit two more goals in the 55th and 63rd minute to complete his hat trick.

After their victory, coach Jonathan Dodgeon praised his side for the cup win.

“Despite the weather, this was a terrific game of football from both teams, who gave everything on the night," said Dodgeon.

“We focused on playing fast counter attacking football, stretching the pitch and using the width by shifting the ball quickly.

“I would like to congratulate the whole team for putting in an incredible performance to win the cup, showing a united team spirit throughout the game to achieve a fitting way to end the season, and certainly something the lads fully deserved.”

The U16 West Division Cup had been planned for earlier in the season, however was delayed until last week due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Sandy Dodgeon opened the scoring for Stocksfield on 17 minutes for a deserved lead, although Throckley Magpies responded and the balance of play shifted before half time, forcing Stocksfield goalkeeper Scott O’Dwyer to make a succession of outstanding saves to keep Stocksfield in the game despite Throckley scoring in the 27th and 35th minutes to take a half time lead. The torrential rain continued throughout the second half, with Stocksfield stepping up a gear and increasingly putting Throckley under pressure with a great display of two touch passing football. A second half hattrick from striker Zak Campbell (45, 55 & 63 minutes) sealed the cup win for Stocksfield, who have now won the West Division Youth Cup at the U16 level for the past 4 occasions. Stockfield FC coach Jonathan Dodgeon said,

Win West Division Youth Cup

: Stocksfield 4 – 2 Throckley Magpies A rain soaked Thursday evening (24/06/21) saw Stocksfield U16’s win the West Division Youth cup by beating local rivals Throckley Magpies 4-2 on Prudhoe Town’s pitch. The cup final had been delayed from earlier in the season due to Covid-19, and both teams were determined to round off the intermittent football season on a high. Fittingly the football on display was of a very high standard, with Stocksfield starting strongly and dominating early play.