There was a little extra edge to Saturday’s Washington Aged People’s Trophy tie at Metcalfe Park, with Wolviston FC and Jarrow Reserves currently sitting first and second in the league.

And for long spells, there was very little to separate them.

The opening 20 minutes were evenly contested before Wolvo began to take a firmer grip on the game and create the better chances.

Marcus Allen was among the first to threaten, turning well before forcing visiting goalkeeper Jamie Brown into a save. Brown was called upon again from the resulting corner, producing another important stop as Wolvo looked to make their pressure count.

On 24 minutes, some lovely football created another opening. Webb found Allen, who worked his way through the Jarrow defence before firing into the side-netting.

By the half-hour mark, Wolvo were enjoying their best spell of the game. Webb was sent clean through, but a moment’s hesitation gave Brown the opportunity to race from his goal and make a crucial save with his legs.

Jarrow showed their threat too, with Cole Cairns trying his luck from distance late in the half, but his effort sailed over the bar.

Half-time: Wolviston FC 0–0 Jarrow Reserves.

After such a positive opening 45 minutes, the start of the second half proved costly for Wolvo.

Just a minute after the restart, Jarrow worked the ball well down the left before Cole Cairns produced an excellent finish to put the visitors ahead.

Only three minutes later the lead was doubled. Laurenzo Centeno was on hand to finish from close range and suddenly, after a first half in which Wolvo had arguably enjoyed the better opportunities, the hosts found themselves two goals down.

There was plenty of fight left in the lads though.

On the hour mark, Jake Large got Wolvo right back into the cup tie. A good team move ended with Large finishing from close range to make it 2–1 and set up a big final half-hour.

Wolvo continued to push, making changes and throwing everything at finding the equaliser. The pressure remained right through to the closing stages, including a late headed opportunity which cleared the bar.

Unfortunately, the second goal wouldn’t come and Jarrow held firm to book their place in the next round.

Full-time: Wolviston FC 1–2 Jarrow Reserves

Goal: Jake Large 60’
MOTM: Reece Chambers

A disappointing way to leave the Washington Aged People’s Trophy, but plenty of positives to take from the performance against a side battling alongside Wolvo at the very top end of the league.

Two of the league’s top sides, very little between them — this one just went Jarrow’s way.

We go again, Wolvo.