The Blues started their NFYL North East Championship 2024/25 campaign with an impressive result to build on, making the most of what was very much a one sided showing against UCFA U19.

Now under the management of Stu Brightwell and Nicky Deverdics, the under 19’s side took control of the game from kick-off, with the ball spending most of its time in the oppositions half.

It didn’t take long for the ball to find its way into the back of the net for the opening goal of the game after 13 minutes. A powerful strike from Tristan Ajavon from outside the box took a slight deflection off of a UCFA defender and flew past the keeper.

More control of possession followed and it wasn’t all that long before Deverdics and Brightwell’s side were back and threatening to double their lead.

Tobi Rufai, made the game a living nightmare for the UCFA left back who struggled to deal with his pace throughout. The defender ultimately ended up bringing Rufai down just outside the box in the 32nd minute, gifting the Blues a great chance to extended their lead.

That they did. Yannis Boudiab lofted in a superb cross from the free kick won by Rufai and was met by a well-placed header from defender Luis Garcia that nestled in to the far corner.

Just two minutes later, the Blue’s had a third. Aaron Zamor’s long range effort proving to be too much for the opposition keeper, who got a hand to the ball, but not enough to deter it from hitting the back on the net.

Half time couldn’t come soon enough for the opposition whilst the Blues looked content strutting their stuff before the official blew his whistle to bring the half to the end at 3-0.

The story of the first 45 minutes, got its sequel in the second. With just two minutes gone into the half Rufai continued to torment the opposition defence and delivered a lofted ball into the box.

UCFA failed to clear the ball and Zamor was there to slot the ball home, giving the Blues a 4-0 lead that they would see out for the remainder of the second half to very little threat of conceding.

A strike from distance that met the crossbar the only chance worthy of noting from the opposition from the full 90 minutes.

The Blues were the only home team to record a win in the opening round of fixtures of the NFYL North East Championship, sitting third in the league table behind leaders Middlesbrough and then Sunderland.