North East Elite Under 11’s & 13’s

North East Elite Under 11’s & 13’s Under 11’s and 13’s football team, follow our progress

NEE v Easington The lads should have been full of confidence going into this game after a good showing last week and goo...
20/06/2026

NEE v Easington

The lads should have been full of confidence going into this game after a good showing last week and good training session midweek.
We started though, like rabbits caught in the headlights. Full credit to Easington for that, they were all over us, not giving a second on the ball. This forced into some sloppy play and giving away the ball unnecessarily. We were 2 goals down within 6 minutes after!
We seemed to settle a bit from the 2nd kick off, looked much more composed and passed the ball around a bit better. On 10 mins Jacob picked the ball up just inside half way and stepped forward with it. He fired a shot towards the bottom corner which their keeper saved well and pushed out to the side. Thomas retrieved it for us and picked out Luke in the middle to slot it away.
We looked dangerous for the next 5 mins and could have got back on terms if not for some good saves and a brilliant block on the line.
Sadly they went up thr other end and won themselves a corner, which they scored from as the player was left unmarked to chest it in! That seemed to put the boys heads back down and Noah was forced into a string of saves to keep us in sight of them. Sadly he could stop them getting a 4th just before half time.
At half time we spoke about being positive in possession, aggression in our tackles and working hard to stop them playing
The boys went out and did much better in the 2nd half, forcing their keeper into 3-4 really smart saves, including a diving catch 👏🏻
Today wasn’t our day though and Easington got one midway through the 2nd have to put the game to bed.
In truth, we could have easily scored 4-5 today but Easington could have scored 10 and deserved to win the game.
Honourable mention to Luke today, he never stopped running and was a threat every time he got the ball. He’s been back to his best the last few weeks.
Noah to MOTM though, some great saves right from the 1st minute to the last and some good distribution in amongst all that, well done mate.
Luke ⚽️
Noah 🏆

Let’s put it right next week lads, 3 games left to go! ❤️🖤💚

Thanks Fika Coffee Roasters for the kit sponsorship

Tournament day - A lovely day down in Bishop Auckland for our final games of the season. We started brightly, moved the ...
14/06/2026

Tournament day - A lovely day down in Bishop Auckland for our final games of the season.
We started brightly, moved the ball well, got ourselves into some great areas and got a goal to beat Darlington rockets 1-0.
Next up was a tougher test against boro rangers. Both sides had periods of pressure but it ended goalless.
Auckland moor were next up and dispatched with relative ease with the help of a really good hat trick from Belly, who had come down to help us out with numbers today. Sadly we did concede one though when their big striker, who caused us a few problems, won a 50/50 with Archie a few yards outside the box then tap home.
The final game was against wallsend and if we won by 4 we would have topped the group. We started really well and scored after less than a minute when Corey scored a trademark volley from the edge of the box. I’ve lost count of home many of them he’s scored this season!
Despite loads of pressure and efforts on goal, we couldn’t extend our lead. No thanks to their keeper, who played a blinder.
All of that meant we would face the hosts in the semi final.
We got our noses ahead after 8 mins or so when Gibbo smashed home from close range. The game was a little bit end to end from there with both sides creating chances. With 4 mins to go, the ref awarded a pen to AJX after the ball struck the wrist of our player. A shot smashed at him from 2m away when his hands were by his sides. Even their coach thought it was wrong, although he wouldn’t tell the ref that what made it worse, the ref then sent one of our players off for questioning the decision. I don’t like to call out refs but in my opinion, he’s had a shocker. Not the 1st time today either, apparently. With the penalty dispatched, the game finished 1-1 and it was the dreaded pens.
Pens have been against me this weekend, my u11 team had a harsh one given against them yesterday for the last kick of the game, that also made that game end 1-1.
Sadly my luck didn’t change and we went out 3-2. Well done to the lads who were brave enough to stand up and take one. As I always say, I will never be upset with somebody who makes a mistake while trying to do the right thing!

Tbh, today pretty much sums up our season. Some lovely football played, all the lads having a good time together, a couple of brilliant goals scored but ultimately not scoring enough has let us down a bit.

From there we went to one of the local high class establishments for a little presentation. Nothing at all flash, just a few words and a trophy each to show my appreciation to the lads. They’ve all played some really good football this season, individually and collectively. Alongside that, they have been a pleasure to coach
A couple of special awards were also up for grabs. Both, the players player and parents player award went to Gibbo, and I can see why!Our captain this season, and he’s been incredible. Starting the season at the back and was a rock but, has a lot of technical ability so played the 2nd half in midfield. Winning the ball, spreading play and scoring some absolute worldies.
Managers player of the season went to Corey. Again, he has scored some absolute worldies, as he did today but other than that, he works his socks off, travels superbly with the ball and can play any position. I still don’t know where his best is! He has been in contention for MOTM pretty much every game this season, consistently high level!

Well done Gibbo, Corey and the rest of the lads 💙🖤

Sadly we have lost a few lads since the start of the season but I’m hoping we can keep as many as possible for next season, we have a great group lads and parents.

Thank you to big @⁨Stu Gibson⁩ for your help with warm ups, on the sidelines and technical input.
Thanks @⁨Ashleigh Mcneilly⁩ for sorting our finances out and a lot of the admin sh*te I hate.
Thanks Ian Ginner Morrell for the kit sponsorship, your support is always appreciated.

Finally, thanks to every parent, grandparent and sibling who has been along with us. You are a lovely bunch and make my job much easier than some other teams’ parents do!

Training is on at Ford hub on Wednesday and you’re all welcome 💙🖤🩶

Spennymoor v NEEIt’s been a few weeks since our last league game but after a good showing at flamingo land, the boys cam...
13/06/2026

Spennymoor v NEE

It’s been a few weeks since our last league game but after a good showing at flamingo land, the boys came into the game high in confidence. They needed to be as well against a team who hadn’t won every league game so far!
We started on the front foot and had a good amount of possession but it was Spenny who had the first opportunity, a prowerful shot from the edge of the box, forcing a brilliant save from Noah. We then put some pressure on Spenny, with Luke working their defence really well and as a team, forcing 4-5 corners in quick succession. The last of these saw the ball break for a spenny player to burst forward. Colton though, was in hand to put him under pressure and force a mistake. He then took the ball past a man, to the byline and cut the ball back for Luke to finish 1st time.
Before the half was out though, we created some great apportunities but couldn’t convert and at the other end, Noah made another important save, this time a 1v1 where he came to the edge of his box to close the angles.
At half time Cris and myself just asked the boys to continue as we were but, be a bit more brave when in possession and travel with the ball.
Tbf, the lads did that, when given the chance and moved it around really nicely when space was tight.
We defended really well as a team today, blocking shots, holding the play up and getting a toe in when needed. I don’t remember Noah having to make a save in the 2nd half and we created some great chances of our own but sadly couldn’t convert.
With 50mjns on the clock Theo pinched the ball and broke away from his player but was dragged down. Somehow, the ref gave Spenny a freekick. From the freekick they lumped the ball forward into our box where it bounced up and hit one of our players on the arm. The ref couldn’t wait to give a penalty. Sadly the penalty was converted with the last kick of the game after 52mins of play.

I went with a joint MOTM today of Colton and Luke.
Colton was positive every time he got on the ball and battled hard off it. My favourite thing though was the fact he’s now really vocal on the pitch, constantly talking to his teammates!
Luke worked his backside off upfront and made some brilliant tackles then set us on the attack really well when he moved into defence.
Luke ⚽️
Colton - Luke 🏆

Well done Colton, Luke and the rest of the boys. Great performance, frustrating result ❤️🖤

Thanks Fika Coffee Roasters for the kit sponsorship, much appreciated as always

Ps, still on the hunt for a goalkeeper and an outfield player to join a brilliant little group

Seems like a long time ago already but this time last week, our under 10’s team were down at Flamingo Land having the ti...
06/06/2026

Seems like a long time ago already but this time last week, our under 10’s team were down at Flamingo Land having the time of their lives.

We started our 1st match really nervously but got into our stride fairly quickly and played some nice football from there. Although we played some decent stuff on Saturday, we definitely saved our best football for the Sunday, when the knockout rounds begin. We eventually got to the final of the Yorkshire cup and went on to win it convincingly. See the videos below for some brilliant saves, tackles and goals!

Although, I was happy with what the lads did on the pitch, I was happiest with them off it. There wasn’t a cross word said between them all, all weekend and I absolutely loved watching their friendships grow. Although they spend a decent amount of time together every week, it’s not normally in such a relaxed and fun environment.

Well done to all of the boys for everything they did on and off the pitch all weekend, they were a credit to themselves and their families, as well as the club.

Special mention goes to Thomas. He won ‘players player’, ‘parents player’ and ‘coaches player’ of the weekend. Although there were a few contenders for my award, Thomas shaded it and his clean sweep evidently showed I wasn’t alone in thinking that.
He was positive on the ball, moved it fast and scored some great goals, including a hat-trick in our final!

Thanks to Roo for coming down to help us out both days and fill in for Beattie who was on a pre-organised holiday. A top player and top lad!

Sadly, this was the last game Kristian will play for us, as he’s moving to a top team back down at his own age group. Go and smash it mate, we all know you will. Another top lad and family who will all be missed by the group

A final thank you from me, goes to all of our parents and siblings for making the effort to come down and help the lads make some brilliant memories

Kit sponsorship by Fika Coffee Roasters, go and check them out for all your coffee needs. Pop in for a brew or some beans if you’re in the Durham area

❤️🖤

Brandon v NEEAfter a tough few weeks for the boys, it was important to start well and that’s exactly what we did. After ...
23/05/2026

Brandon v NEE

After a tough few weeks for the boys, it was important to start well and that’s exactly what we did. After 2 mins Beattie received the ball from Wilf in the middle of the pitch, turned and drove forward, then drilled one into the bottom corner of the net. We could already have been a goal up before that as well.
We continued to boss the game and create chances but Brandon got back level after a shot rebounded off the wheel/post and their player appeared to catch it, then smash it home via a deflection off our player.
The lads didn’t get their heads down though and were ahead again a minute later when Theo followed in to slot home a shot from Luke which their player appeared keeper saved well.
At half time I asked the boys to relax infront of goal and take care with our finishing as we could have been out of sight.
We started brightly again 2nd half and scored quickly when Colton shot from a wide angle and caught the keeper off-guard.
We continued to threaten but again our finishing was off and Brandon pulled one back on the break.
Again though we reacted well and quickly with Josh setting up Colton to finish from close range. I thought that was us in the clear with around 12 mins or so left but the opposition didn’t give up and got another back to make it a nervy last 5 mins. The lads didn’t well though and saw the game out without really being threatened and Noah having a high starting line to stop any long through balls.
A really good performance from the boys today and could easily have scored 8-9 on another day.
MOTM went to Josh today. Started us off with a goal, got an assist, travelled well with the ball and his link up play was brilliant. Well done mate.
Josh ⚽️🏆
Theo ⚽️
Colton ⚽️⚽️

Well done boys and bring on flamingo land next weekend 🦩❤️🖤

Thanks as always to our kit sponsor Fika Coffee Roasters

NEE V Leon BluesAnother tight game with a well matched opponent.We came into this game after a tough result a couple of ...
16/05/2026

NEE V Leon Blues

Another tight game with a well matched opponent.

We came into this game after a tough result a couple of weeks ago but the boys didn’t show any hangover from that and started brightly. We had to defend a little bit to start but got ourselves ahead when Colton got on the end of a corner and directed it towards goal and Luke poked it in after 10 mins.
5mins later Leon got back on level terms with a well worked goal down their left hand side.
The last action of a good 1st half saw Noah play a lovely little ball through the lines to Luke, who played a great ball around their defence and Kristian to finish really well, through the keeper’s legs!
At half time I asked the boys to do more of the same but tidy up our passing. We’d just been a bit wasteful, in some good areas.
2nd half we created a couple of decent chances but didn’t really get going. Unfortunately for us though our opponents got themselves level from a corner, which was very similar to our opener. They then scored the winner 5 mins later.
A bit of a frustrating morning for us but, we’ll roll our sleeves up and come out the other side a stronger team!
MOTM went to Luke this morning. A goal, an assist and looked threatening all game as well as doing a solid job defensively. Well done mate
Kristian ⚽️
Luke ⚽️🏆
Well done boys. We’ll put it right next week then flamingo land the week after ❤️🖤
Thanks to our kit sponsor Fika Coffee Roasters

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