Late Christmas cheer for Hexham

Mark Gibson opened the festivities when he was on hand to pick up the pieces after Wideopen keeper Wayne Grassie could only palm the ball into his path following an Iain Strachan volley.

Chances came and went for Hexham but Wideopen did not come to lie down and soon brought the score's level after Richard Curran finished off a flowing moved which started in the visitors' midfield.

This did not deter the home team and soon were back in front with a four-man move which started with defender Stephen Brown and included both Scotts, Coates and Robson before Iain Strachan converted after his first effort struck the upright.

A major turning point in the game was when Hexham keeper Sean Heads pulled off a terrific save diving into the corner of the goal when the equaliser looked on the cards.

This was just vital as within moments Hexham had increased their advantage, from a corner Neil Tiffin got his foot to the ball which appeared to cross the line before being hacked clear.

After a few moments the referee signalled for a goal and Hexham went in at the break with a two goal advantage.

The second period was very similar two the first and the fourth goal came when Scott Robson produced a decisive ball behind the defenders and Iain Strachan shot across the keeper for his second of the afternoon.

This really was the killer goal and although Wideopen did their upmost it was soon apparent to them this was not going to be their day.

Scott Robson compounded their misery with a cracking drive after a Scott Coates cross was not cleared effectively.

Hexham had numerous candidates for man of the Match, including Scott Coates, Mark Gibson and Paul McLean, but skipper Gavin Cox, pictured, claimed the award with an excellent display marshalling his troops from his central defensive position and never missing a challenge all afternoon.

Darren Dobson had been unlucky not to get his name on the score sheet as his display certainly deserved great credit.

One disappointing moment for Hexham came when Richard Curran got his second of the game when the back line all claimed for an offside decision but the whistle never came.

The disappointment did not last long as Ben Griffiths produced an excellent finish when one on one with the keeper after being played in by Mark Gibson.

This was Hexham's first league game since October due to Cup commitments and bad weather so these points were a very welcome late Christmas present.

They will hope for New Year Cheer on Saturday as Newcastle BT come to Hexham, kick off 2pm.