Ashington entertain Peruvian football side

Posted by The Journal on Oct 7, 09 02:37 PM in Sport

Father Joe Plumb Ashington Football Club's youth side had a new style of opposition to deal with when they entertained South American opposition in a friendly.

The club's under-19s hosted Peru's Juventud Bellavista Juniors in a one-off match as part of the South American club's two-week visit to Britain, which included visiting famous British landmarks as well as playing friendlies across the country.

The tour was been a welcome break for the Juventud players, many of whom are used to living in poverty in the Amazon rainforest.

The match was arranged as a former catholic priest of Ashington's St Aidans Church, Fr Joe Plumb, pictured, is now the coach of the Peru side.

Ten years ago Plumb embarked on a mission to the Amazon rainforest - and a decade later found himself returning to Wansbeck in a very different capacity, bringing with him a team of 16-18 year old footballers.

Ashington, who sit fifth in the Northern League Division One, entertained a crowd of around 100 spectators at their Woodhorn Lane ground and claimed a resounding 8-0 victory.

Scorers were Lee Scott (2), Jamie Patterson (2), Mark Richardson (2), Alex Briggs and Liam Carr.

Chairman Ian Lavery said: "It was as much a community event as it was a sporting one, and it was great to welcome back Fr Plumb after 10 years."

Lavery was impressed with the South American youngsters and applauded their talent.

He added: "The Juventud juniors were extremely talented and skillful and did well in surroundings they would not be used to.

"I would also like to thank the 100 or more supporters that turned up in appalling conditions to greet our international guests."

Juventud boasted a 100% winning record on their tour before facing Ashington.

Club spokesman Brian Bennett said: "I thoroughly enjoyed the match. Juventud had good players.

"The scoreline was not an 8-0 by any stretch of the imagination."

Ashington are hoping for a similar fixture in the future, possibility in two years' time, although nothing has been arranged as yet.

Bennett added: "The crowd enjoyed the game and it was played in good spirit."

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