The Saints pulled off a massive cup shock as they defeated a Gateshead Rutherford side who sit two league above the quay in the Northern Alliance Premier division.
With no less than 15 players unavailable the Quay's squad was tested to the limit, veteran Mark Henderson who had stopped playing to coach made his first start of the season while there was also a full debut for new signing winger Sean Conway.
Both sides sat 5th in there respected leagues going into the game and with nothing to lose it was Willington who created the games first chance as pacy striker Alex Foreman ran on to a through ball from Micky Young before seeing his shot saved by the legs of Rutherford keeper
Fifteen minutes in the Quay took a surprise but well deserved lead, midfielder Stephen King played the ball to Conway out on the left and he sprinted past his marker before smashing the ball home left footed from an acute angle for his first ever Saints goal on his first start.
Rutherford responded with a great chance of their own after brilliant build up play their winger cut the ball back to ………. whose first time strike whistled just past the post
Conway almost grabbed a second goal after some great football from the Quay saw the winger take Youngs pass before beating his man again but this time his right footed strike didn't test the keeper.
Talk of a cup shock was intensified on the half hour mark when the Saints doubled their lead, left back Leon Elgie took the ball past a defender before curling an unbelievable ball through to Foreman who made amends for his earlier miss by coolly slotting the ball past the onrushing keeper from the edge of the box for his first goal for the club.
Dan Coleman who had been having a great game was forced off with a back injury just before half time with top scorer Brandon Williams coming on to replace him.
Rutherford started the second half with much more intent than the first and almost pulled a goal back as a long range strike was deflected just past the post by the outstretched boot of Matty Adams.
Saints Goalkeeper Luke Ord then produced a stunning save to keep Rutherford at bay diving full stretch to tip over a powerful effort from forward ____ who looked certain to score.
The Quay were denied a third goal by a great save at the other end, Conway again wreaked havoc down the left winning a tackle before curling over a great left footed cross that was met by the head of striker Dylan Adamson with Rutherford stopper getting down well to the bottom corner to keep the ball out.
With just 2 minutes remaining Rutherford were awarded a penalty after the referee pointed to the spot after claiming a handball by defender Jack Wearmouth who was adamant the ball came off his thigh. Robbie Jefferson stepped up for the visitors and smashed the ball into the bottom left corner to set up a frantic finish to the cup tie.
Adamson was sent off in stoppage time for a very harsh second yellow card accused of blocking the keepers path as he kicked the ball out his hands but it didn't matter as the Saints hung on to record a highly impressive victory.
A First ever win over a premier league side for Willington after a tremendous team performance they will face Prudhoe YCFC in the next round however next up its an away trip to Whitburn and Cleadon in the league this Saturday.
Team: Ord, Wearmouth, M.Henderson, Adams, Elgie, King, Young, Conway (Horsman 82) Foreman, Coleman (Williams 40), Adamson.
