INTER KICKZ GAME

                        On the day Sunderland AFC hosted the Boro in the premiership there was also an equally important fixture being held, Sunderland Kickz versus Middlsbroughs Pallister Park Kickz.              The team had been training for this fixture for the last few weeks under the watchful gaze of their coaches, Brian Agar from Newton Aycliffe, Nathan Kaldani a Stockton lad and Paul Smith from Thornaby.              The day started well with all players arriving on time at the pick up and arriving at HoughtonKepierSchool ready for kick off.  Kitted out in a new Nike strip Captain Craig Barry – Yabba – warmed them up on the 3G astro surface.              The game started badly for the PallyPark lads as an offside decision went against them and Sunderland went one up.  It could have been more very early on if not for the exploits of Keeper Chris Jaffrey – Bullhead and two great saves denied Sunderland early on.              The pressure was kept up by Sunderland and despite the best efforts of Raymond Guru and John Jeffries at centre back Sunderland scored four more with no reply.             After several missed chances Ethan Pearson received a sublime ball from James Sivo and tore down the left wing.  He placed a low cross near post which was finished exquisitely by Tom Murphy, leaving the score at half time 5 – 1 to the home side.              A half time talk was delivered by Nathan and Paul and cannot be printed but seemed to have the desired effect.  A few changes were made and the team went out second half determined not to let Sunderland have the last word.            Within minutes a ball through to Tom Murphy resulted in him side footing it into the bottom right hand corner; this was followed almost instantly with a goal from Robbie Brown taking the score to 5-3.  Tom Murphy was then put through again by the new look attacking midfielder John Jeffries only to see his chip go agonisingly wide.             Another superb save at this point from Bullhead ensured that momentum stayed with the PallyPark lads.  Lewis Williams was then put through from John and scored with what was one of his first touches in the game.  Stalwart defending by Jamie Mckittrick denied Sunderland several more chances and reduced them into shooting from range.  They did breach the defence once more to take the score to 6-4.            The last ten minutes saw plenty of goalmouth action at both ends with missed volleys and great saves, but another breakthrough from Tom Murphy assisted by John Jeffries netted him his hat trick.  The final act was a penalty to Pally park and upped stepped the captain Yabba to grab the equaliser.              The final moments saw an effort by John Jeffries take a deflection and go agonisingly wide which left the final result 6 – 6.         All the lads in the squad played well and gave 110% effort to turn around a 5 – 1 deficit at half time and must be congratulated, also congratulations go to the players man of the match Craig Mckittrick for his excellent defending in the second half. n the day Sunderland AFC hosted the Boro in the premiership there was also an equally important fixture being held, Sunderland Kickz versus Middlsbroughs Pallister Park Kickz.