Our Under 15's travelled to Derbyshire rivals Staveley Miners Welfare in their Trophy Quarter Final.
Coming off the back of successive home victories at Gosforth, the boys were in confident mood and looking to progress through to the Semi-Finals. However they found a Staveley side who were well up for this game.....
Our lads started slowly and were second to the ball all over the pitch. Staveley took the lead in the first half when we failed to deal with a long throw into the box and we found ourselves 1-0 down at the break.
To make matters worse we lost 4 key players to injury in the first half and knew we faced an uphill task to turn this cup tie around.
Midway through the 2nd half we got back on level terms. We forced a throw in deep in Staveley territory and Kane
rose highest to expertly flick home a long throw from Henry. 1-1 and game on now 
.
With around 10 minutes to go Henry was fouled around 25 yards out in a central position. Up stepped Az, and the skipper expertly curled the ball over the wall and into the top corner
and put us in front for the first time 1-2. The turnaround was complete or so we thought.........
...........With less than a minute to go a long range effort from Staveley appeared to go straight out for a goal kick, yet the Ref awarded a corner. From this a goalmouth scramble ensued and Staveley managed to force the ball over the line and grab a dramatic equaliser with the last kick of the game
. 2-2 full time.
Our lads didn't have long to feel down beat as they now faced 30 minutes of extra time with a depleted squad. There were no more goals in extra time and this meant the dreaded penalty shoot out.......
.
We took the first penalty.....
Tyler- underside of the bar and in 
1-0
Staveley 1-1
Kane- roof of the net 2-1
Staveley 2-2
Az- SAVED!
2-2
Staveley 2-3
At this stage with 2 penalties remaining each the situation looked bleak.........BUT.........
Tess- sends the keeper the wrong way 3-3
Staveley- GREAT SAVE FROM BEN!!! 3-3
Alfie- Top left hand corner4-3
Staveley- Over the bar! AFC win 4-3 on pens!
Full respect to all the lads for making it through to another Semi Final. They were nowhere near their best today, but still managed to dig out a victory. Massive credit to Staveley who more than played their part in a cracking cup tie
.
A special mention for Kane who lead the line brilliantly, stood up to the physical challenge and scored a great header as well as tucking away his penalty. He was just pipped to the MOM award by Alfie
who gave every ounce of his energy he had for the team, culminating in him smashing home what proved to be the winning spot kick.
An exhausted Manager JB had a few words to stay on the victory after the game, "Don't honestly know where to start after that. Not a good performance but showed real character today, especially after conceding with the last kick of the game. Just unbelievable! Hope all the lads are ok with their injuries. Alfie lad, what a pen son!"
Well done lads, great result despite not being at our best 
Big thanks to our Under 15’s sponsors; L.N. Pattni Goldsmiths, Alfred Dunham Builders Merchants, Hallowes Mortgages and Ideal Doors
