Hexham knocked for six

The pitch was very heavy after the incessant rain overnight and with more rain falling before start of play this game could easily have fallen foul of the elements. With the teams to ready start the match kicked off in the North Northumberland gloom, but both teams brightened the day with an attempt to play football despite the conditions.

Emergency striker Neil McDonald led the line with Thomas North playing off him; Thomas created the first chance in the early moments when he beat his man on the edge of the box only to be brought to a crashing stop as a last ditch tackle took away his footing as well as the ball.

Appeals for a penalty were waved away much to the frustration of Hexham, chances could have been few and far between but that was one which got away. During the early encounters either side could have taken the lead, Dan Palmer went close for Amble and Thomas North (pictured) almost broke the deadlock when he just failed to get on the end of a low cross which shaved both posts.

The deadlock was broken after twenty minutes and again within moments both goals were conceded after silly mistakes and Amble made the most of their opportunities, with the rain falling the storm clouds were gathering over Hexham and the downpour was complete when the third went in just before the break.

After the interval Shaun Jobson was still pulling the strings in the Amble midfield but despite the score Hexham were still competing with Scott Coates battling to win the ball back and with his brother Steven making some marauding runs from left wing back there was still plenty of pride left to play for.

A hip injury to Neil McDonald gave Mark Stobbart a chance to impress in the middle of the park and Sean Loughhead went up front to partner Thomas North who was having a good game despite this being his first game for a couple of weeks after injury.

As the game wore on it followed a familiar pattern Amble punishing Hexham at every opportunity but the Tyne Valley side not able to convert any slip up in the home defence. When they did break through centre half David Shephard was in excellent form, but he was helpless when Scott Coates was brought down in the box and he picked himself up to give Stu Shanks in goal no chance from the spot kick.

Amble deserved their place in the next round of the Amateur cup but Hexham could take a great deal of positives from the game. The commitment of the team, the fact that for long spells of the game when they did play the better football and the performance of man of the match Thomas North who did enough to suggest goals will flow once he can manage a decent run of injury free games.

Next week it's back on home territory in a division two fixture when Mr Ant's Bar sponsor the match against league newcomers Cramlington Blue Star ko 2.15