Last Monday night, TyneMet College witnessed an electrifying display of talent as the college’s Blyth Spartans Football Excellence students took to the field against Newcastle Benfield in the Northumberland Senior Cup at Croft Park. The evening showcased the future stars of football as the under 19 Blyth Spartans academy squad took centre stage, providing an opportunity for the first team to recover and offering young talents a chance to make their mark.
In an exciting game that ended in a 1-1 draw, the game ultimately went down to penalties, with Newcastle Benfield coming out on top. However, one of the highlights on the night was the outstanding performance of one of the academy’s 17-year-old players, Zach Simpson, who etched his name in history as the youngest-ever scorer for the team, surpassing the record set by former TyneMet student, Rio Joise.
Despite the defeat, Head Coach, March Nash expressed his admiration for the team’s efforts, stating,
It was an impressive game, and the lads showcased an incredible performance. Playing against a more senior level of players, especially in a cup quarter-final, is a significant challenge. The fact that some of our first-year students not only held their own but delivered standout performances speaks volumes about their potential.
The focus on utilising the under 19 academy squad proved to be a strategic move, allowing the young players to gain valuable experience and demonstrate their capabilities on a larger stage. Marc further emphasised the importance of providing such opportunities for the academy students to nurture their growth and development in the world of competitive football.
The under 19 squad will now continue their football journey in the league where they will face Boston United away on Wednesday (13th). The under 18s will also play on Friday (15th) in the Quarter Finals of the ESFA National Super League in an away game against Wilmslow High School.
Find out more about the Football Excellence here.