Willington Quay Saints 0-2 Newcastle University A: Saints crash out of Minor Cup

Willington Quay Saints were knocked out of the Northumberland Minor Cup after a 2-0 defeat to Newcastle University A at St. Peter’s Sports Hub.

The visitors took the lead in first-half stoppage time, after Ethan Dodgson failed to deal with an in-swinging corner.

Ian Fada had chances late on to equalise, before Newcastle University caught Saints on the counter-attack to seal the victory with two minutes to go.

We exit the Minor Cup. pic.twitter.com/BgBg6SArcO

— WillingtonQuaySaints (@wqsaints) November 8, 2025

Willington Quay came into the tie with confidence, having temporarily moved to the top of the table for the first time this season, after last weekend’s 3-0 victory over Winlaton Community.

However, a below-par performance in the first half was punished in the first minute of stoppage time, and goalkeeper Dodgson was at fault.

An in-swinging corner looked to be an easy catch, but Dodgson fumbled towards the back post, where Newcastle tapped home for the lead.

Saints piled on the pressure in the second half and should have levelled with 10 minutes to go, as Fada cut in from the right, but his low effort trickled back off the post.

The in-form striker would rue that chance, as in the 88th minute, Newcastle University sprung on the break and struck low across Dodgson to seal a quarter-final place.