West End opened the scoring on 12 minutes courtesy of Zouhair Benali; however, this was quickly cancelled out as Liam Dalton equalised for the YC at the quarter-hour mark.

Despite plenty of chances in the second period, neither side was able to find a breakthrough and claim all three points.

Several changes were made to the Seniors’ squad from the latest match against FC Hartlepool – Reece Bickerton, Thomas Wilson, Freddie Marr, and Will Morris all unavailable for the Friday night fixture.

The Match

On six minutes, the first concrete opening of the game fell the visitors’ way. Michael Wright cut back to Elijah Berman inside the box, who fired towards goal, with West End ‘keeper Neal Bussey saving well.

That said, it was the Sunderland side who found the back of the net first – Prudhoe’s pleas for an offside were waved away as a low cross into the box eventually reached Benali at the back post, who fired home.

Ridiculously, Prudhoe manager Dean Walker was given a red card in the aftermath of the goal for stepping onto the pitch.

The Seniors did not let this early setback stop them and quickly paved a way back into the match on 15 minutes. A ball into the box caused a scramble in the West End penalty area, with Dalton on hand to tap into an empty net.

Shortly after, the YC’s James Simpson broke into the hosts’ box, but Bussey came out quickly and thwarted the chance.

A frantic period of the game then almost saw West End regain the lead. Intricate play from Benali granted the forward some space to shoot in the Prudhoe box, until Riley Boertien and Sam Wilson blocked the strike.

At the half-hour mark, Michael Wright again caused trouble down the home side’s right side, crossing in towards Lowes who couldn’t direct on goal with an outstretched leg.

Going into the second period, the Seniors looked the stronger side and threatened with several chances.

Simpson was almost rewarded for his high pressing of West End’s backline, latching onto a loose ball inside the box. However, Bussey relieved the danger with a strong stop.

Wright was then released in on goal on 52 minutes but dragged his strike marginally wide of the bottom left corner.

Five minutes later, Lowes connected with Boertien’s cross, hitting the side netting with his cute effort.

After waves of pressure in the opening 15 of the half, the home side responded with a huge chance at the hour mark. Eventually, after a scramble which felt like an eternity at the Seniors’ goal line, Wilson produced a brilliant save to keep the game level.

In the 63rd minute, Dalton tracked a West End attacker driving into the left side of the box and cleared for a corner with a crucial tackle.

Prudhoe continued to be a threat as the half progressed, however Sunderland West End had a huge chance to steal the three points late on.

With the clock on 86 minutes, Dalton once more timed a huge tackle to perfection, before Jay Plunkett miraculously cleared the hosts’ rebound effort on the line.

As the match headed towards injury time, Wright seemed to be bundled down inside the West End box, but the referee waved away penalty calls.

Following a great performance at the Ford Hub, Prudhoe are on the road again next Saturday; facing Sunderland RCA at Meadow Park.