Blind soccer aces in race for title

A TEAM of partially-sighted South Tyneside soccer stars are shooting for the top in only their first season together.

Kevin Keegan's Newcastle United may be sitting at the top of the Premiership at the moment but they are not the only North East football team hitting the headlines.

For the Northern Rock lads have taken the British Football Association for the Visually Handicapped League by storm after recording ten wins from their first 12 games.

And already it looks like a two-horse race for the title as they battle with a team from Loughborough for the top honours.

So far the boys have played two tournaments in London and Coventry against teams from across England.

They won four out of six matches in the capital before travelling up to the West Midlands and recording a clean sweep of six wins.

Now they have a break until their next tournament in Coventry on Dccember 10.

Team member Lee Cawkwell said: "We have had a really good start to the tournaments and every one is very pleased."

"Now we are waiting for the latest league tables to come out in which we could be top. or at least second."

"We could probably do with a bit of a break. because one of the team broke his wrist in a match and another sprained his thumb."

All of the players ln the league are registered blind or partially-sighted. The games are played on a five-a-side basis and last ten minutes.

A special coloured ball is used in stark contrast with the playing surface to allow the players to follow the ball easier.