Hexham girls win Northumberland Cup

Right from the first whistle Hexham tore into North Shields which took the opposition a little by surprise and North Shields were never allowed to gain their composure.

The huge pitch suited Hexham as it allowed the girls to show their greater fitness and speed.

The midfield of Georgina Callf, Chloe Duncan, Kelly Loughhead and Viviane Straub were making great use of the open spaces and were causing North Shields no end of problems.

In past meetings Hexham tended to attack down the flanks, however with a reshuffled frontline of Layla Zahawi and Catherine Johnston, Hexham decided to run right at the heart of the Shields defence and they really couldn't cope with the change of focus.

Chances were coming and it wasn't a matter of if Hexham scored, it was when.

The best chance of the half fell to Kelly Loughhead who picked a fine inside pass from Layla Zahawi to sweep into the box but then steered the ball a whisker wide with the keeper stranded.

Another shot came off both posts and whilst everyone from Hexham was convinced the ball was over the line the ref didn't agree.

Hexham came off at half time to looks of disbelief on the faces of parents and supporters alike, unable to comprehend how the score was still 0-0!

Playing against the wind in the second half Hexham knew it was going to be more difficult but the girls simply gritted their teeth and continued to dominate.

The defence of Enya Mason, Beth Kennedy and Ellie Harris stopped everything that was thrown at them and even on the few occasions when North Shields did manage to threaten the Hexham goal keeper Charlotte Kennedy was more than up to the task.

Special mention should be made of Stephanie Chapman, who had been tasked with taking over the holding midfield role in place of the injured Marie McLoughlin.

Stephanie was simply fantastic, showing unbelievable commitment in the face of a tall, tough and streetwise opposite number.

Girl of the game Viviane Straub also stood up to the mark and was superb throughout. Her willingness to sweep down the wing time after time and her intelligent passing was a joy to behold.

Hexham's breakthrough goal eventually came when the ball was lifted into the box and Chloe Duncan managed to stab the home for her first goal of the season, and what a time to score it!

Sophie Davey had entered the fray after half time and her chasing and harrying was also rewarded as she volleyed Hexham's second after a ball through from Catherine Johnston.

Hexham knew they were now home and dry and when the final whistle went the girls and supporters alike jumped for joy.

This victory was richly deserved after a long, hard season and the sight of captain Catherine Johnston being presented with the cup made it all worthwhile.

Most of the team has another year at this age group and so Hexham can look forward to next season with a good degree of confidence.