Teenage Rampage Keeps Park View On Promotion Path

Niall Armstrong

by Jeff King

Ebac Northern League Division 2 - Saturday 21st March 2026 Park View AFC 2 v 0 Newcastle University

The boys from Park View certainly made their mark on the University and passed their test with flying colours. It was rightly billed as a game that Park View had to win and at the end of the ninety minutes they had done just that.

It was a mature professional performance that belied their years and experience. Built once again on the solidity and strength of their excellent defence but this time, finally with the added punch of attacking endeavour.

It was also achieved with what could arguably have been said a few of their first choice players. No Alex Clark, no Ben Gallagher and no Brandon Young. Also top scorer Stephen Siyanbola was dropped to the bench for the game.

Replacing Siyanbola up front was 16-year-old Zac Boddy who has only recently returned from injury and was rewarded after a fine hat-trick performance in the English College FA midweek fixture.

Reyhan Grimaud was also restored to the starting XI at right back after serving his four game suspension allowing Ollie Taylor to move back into his anchor role in midfield.

It was a bright warmish sunny day that greeted the two teams as they made their way on to The Riverside pitch. Newcastle Uni coming in to the game in great form and with an outside chance of making the play-off berths.

Park View on the other hand currently occupying one of those coveted play-off spots and needing to take all three points to maintain what has been a season long promotion push.

It was a cagey opening to the game as both sides battled for supremacy and standing. Neither side early on creating much in the way of chances but showing plenty of endeavour and commitment.

The first opening almost falling to Park View. Dylan Wilkinson's ball up to Boddy saw him lay it off well to Charlie Loveday on the left. Loveday's cross being cleared well by Uni skipper Adam Redford with Niall Armstrong ready to pounce.

A throw deep in the Uni half on the right was launched into the box by Dylan Robson. Jamie Frizzel flicked it on and both Wilkinson and Grimaud were in the mix. The loose ball eventually being grabbed by Sam Cooper in the Uni goal.

The Uni's best foray forward to date was when Jacob Milner showed a great turn of pace on the left to get away from Grimaud. His low cross was flicked on by Kane Morris to Luca Cassidy who was in a great position close-in.

But as Cassidy tried to control the ball he clearly used his hands and the referee's whistle prevented him taking what could have been a very good chance.

Park View were showing good attacking intent and from a throw-in on the left Loveday found Robson who crossed deep. The Uni got the ball clear but Wilkinson on the right picked it up and crossed low.

Boddy was almost in but Redford cleared. But again Park View recycled and another cross caused confusion with the ball falling to Jacob Mallinson 16-yards out who his a superb first-time half volley.

It was destined for the back of the net but somehow Cooper got across his goal with a flying instinctive save to tip the ball over the bar in terrific style. Mallinson taking the resultant corner.

His delivery to the back post saw Wilkinson with a free header that he nodded goal wards into the six yard box. Grimaud getting up alongside Frizzel but his close range back header was just too high and bounced off the bar and over.

The Uni won a corner on the right and Lucas Aldcroft curled in a great inswinger that James Hughes failed to collect but the bounce was awkward as it fell to Redford inside the six yard box. Redford's header actually clearing the danger.

Park View's patient build-up play was exemplified by a long diagonal ball from Wilkinson to the left wing that saw Frizzel up well to head the ball on for Loveday. Loveday cutting inside the box before James Edgely blocked.

The ball spinning out for a throw-in once again delivered by Robson. Again Frizzel flicked it on and Wilkinson got there first to hook the ball past Cooper from close range only to see it come back off the post.

Mallinson diving to get to the loose ball and heading it on target but seeing his effort blocked by Ben Kirkman. The resultant corner well cleared by the under pressure Uni defence.

Park View were really pressing now and earned a free kick deep in the left hand corner when Kirkman fouled Loveday. Mallinson played it short to Loveday who in turn found Armstrong coming forward.

He elected to shoot from distance but his shot was sliced. Wilkinson though up for the free kick was still inside the box and got a firm header on the ball that flew across the box with no-one on the end of it.

Boddy did retrieve it and crossed low into the six-yard box where Grimaud just failed to get on the end of it with Redford doing well to get in front of him and clear the ball to safety.

Then after a brief ineffective Uni attack saw the ball in Hughes' hands Park View almost created again. Hughes' long clearance being picked up by Loveday on the right.

He weaved and twisted from the wing to the centre of the pitch and from 20-yards out saw his left foot shot deflected just wide off Redford. Mallinson delivered the corner into the six-yard box.

Grimaud tried to reach the ball but seemed to be impeded on his run by Tom Iverson back helping his defence but the referee waved away Park View's penalty claims.

The half ended on a worrying note for the Uni. Wilkinson playing a nice ball forward to Boddy who turned it on to Frizzel on the left wing. His deep cross was too long for Armstrong but Cooper went down unchallenged heavily.

The keeper needing lengthy treatment before limping off with his teammates needing the recovery time the ending of the first half would afford him. For Park View it was a story that has become a normal.

Plenty of possession and some good chances and moments but nothing converted as the half ended goalless.

Whatever though was said in the PV dressing room at half-time certainly worked as they took the lead after a good move almost brought them a great goal but ended in a fortuitus one.

It came within a minute of the restart. It commenced with a strong header out of his box by Robson that Mallinson headed on to Armstrong. His first time flick found Frankie Young who also flicked the ball on well finding Mallinson.

Mallinson's first time ball from just inside the Uni half finding Loveday on the left. He cut inside onto his right foot and from just inside the box tried a curler to the top left hand corner. Cooper though got across to make a good parry.

He was unlucky to see Boddy showing a great striker's instinct by following in on Loveday's shot and bundling the ball over the line as it came back off Cooper. There was a suspicion of handball about Boddy's finish but the goal stood.

Zac Boddy

Within a further minute it should have been 2-0 Park View. A combination of tenacious midfield play by Young and Ollie Taylor saw the ball break free and being won by Loveday who found Armstrong free and breaking forward.

Armstrong showed great awareness to slide a lovely ball through the Uni defence putting Grimaud marauding forward from right back just inside the visitors box with only Cooper to beat.

Grimaud clipped his shot past the diving Cooper but it was not quite accurate enough and hit the outside of the post when really it should have been on target and doubled Park View's lead.

The goal and the pressing from Park View was really pushing the Uni back and once again Park View missed a glorious chance to double their lead on 55 minutes.

Loveday played a ball left to Boddy who headed inside. Redford looked favourite to clear but a determined challenge by Young saw him get the ball back to Boddy. The 16-year-old playing a delightful ball into Armstrong.

Once again it was a one-on-one chance although the angle was tight. Armstrong was about 10-yards out and got his left foot shot away but it lacked power and precision and Cooper narrowing the angle made a good block.

Were Park View going to rue the missed chances? To be fair Newcastle had little to offer in the way of answering that question. Substitute Jack McClarin was looking lively but they were not looking penetrative.

McClarin sweeping one ball wide left to Aldcroft who won a corner off Grimaud. McClarin took it and curled it dangerously into the Park View six-yard box but Wilkinson rose highest to head it away in fine fashion.

Then Park View almost opened up the visiting defence again. Young playing a good ball wide right to Mallinson who whipped a great low cross in that Armstrong on the six-yard line just failed to get a decisive touch to.

Kirkman taking no chances at the far post and turning the ball out for a corner. Perhaps he regretted that decision as it led to the second goal of the afternoon for Park View on 64 minutes.

The corner was worked short by Mallinson to Loveday who darted into the box towards the byline. At full pace though he showed great awareness and cut the ball back into the path of Armstrong.

The teenager wasting no time and showing real composure as he rifled his left foot shot from 10-yards out into the top left hand corner of the net past the despairing dive of Cooper who had no chance of stopping it.

Niall Armstrong

A great moment for the youngster who registered his first senior goal for Park View to double his side's lead giving them due reward for pressure and chances they had created. Following the goal Siyanbola came on for Boddy.

Almost immediately Park View should have made it three. Taylor played a ball forward that Loveday headed on to Siyanbola inside the Uni half. Armstrong was offside but Siyanbola still played it forward. Armstrong not getting involved.

Loveday though did continuing his run to speed past the Uni defence onto the loose ball and into the clear. Another Park View player clean through on goal with just Cooper in front of him.

Cooper advanced and Loveday went for the early chipped effort from 22-yards that was neatly done but although clearing Cooper it also went wide of the far post.

Park View withdrew the scorer of their second goal Armstrong with 16 minutes with Harry Laydon replacing him. Loveday then showed the value of Park View's pressing style by robbing Edgely of the ball about 35-yards from goal.

Sprinting forward from left to right he played a great 1-2 with Mallinson before hitting a crisp right foot shot that was on target but unfortunately straight at Cooper who held it easily.

The Uni did eventually start pressing late on to the Park View defence McClarin lifting a dangerous ball into the box which Laydon only partially cleared. McClarin putting the ball back in and a scramble for the bouncing ball ensued.

Eventually the ball arrived at the feet of Uni substitute Adam Pow who hit a 16-yard half volley through a crowd of players. Hughes reacting superbly as he saw the ball late but still flung himself to his left to palm the effort away.

The Uni's captain Redford was sin-binned late on for taking his protestations a little two far and Park View took advantage of the ten men to make three late substitutions.

Joe Sykes for Mallinson, Ethan Connelly for Young and Lewis Stephenson for Grimaud as time ticked down. There was still one last chance for the Uni when from McClarin's deep cross to the back post Iverson headed across goal.

Matty Foster got on the end of Iverson's knock back but his attempted overhead kick from inside the six-yard under pressure from Robson bounced harmlessly wide of the Park View goal.

It was the last meaningful action of a much needed win for Park View. With Chester Town losing and FC Hartlepool only drawing it turned out to be a good day for them as they stayed in the final play-off position.

Another game done and three very welcome points just tightening their grip a smidgeon on that fifth place in the League. With four games to go Park View need to keep winning to maintain that position.

TEAM : 1. James Hughes 2. Reyhan Grimaud 3. Jamie Frizzel 4. Ollie Taylor 5. Dylan Wilkinson (c) 6. Dylan Robson 7. Niall Armstrong 8. Jacob Mallinson 9. Zac Boddy 10. Frankie Young 11. Charlie Loveday

SUBS : 12. Joe Sykes (for Mallinson 87 mins) 14. Lewis Stephenson (for Grimaud 90+1 mins) 15. Harry Laydon (for Armstrong 73 mins) 16. Ethan Connelly (for Young 90 mins) 17. Stephen Siyanbola (for Boddy 65 mins)

SCORERS : Boddy 46, Armstrong 64

PLAYER of the MATCH : Niall Armstrong