Tired legs cost Hexham

The Forest Hall attacking pair of Gilbert and Barlow caused Hexham keeper Anderson to pull off a couple of good saves, one diving low to his right, and Barlow struck a rasping drive that rattled off the crossbar.

But Hexham had their opportunities as well, when Scott Coates almost put them in front; unfortunately he failed to connect properly when the ball dropped into his path after Forest Hall keeper Matthew Plows could not hold onto an effort from Thomas North.

The game got to half time with the scores level with both teams pleased with their first forty five but at the back of the Hexham manager's mind was would his eleven players manage to cope with another tiring half with no fresh legs as the pitch got heavier.

The commitment and effort was there and after only ten minutes gone in the second half Hexham were awarded a penalty when Thomas North was brought down as he bore down on goal. Scott Coates was given the task of scoring and for the second week running he made no mistake giving Plows no chance.

The next part of the game was vital for Hexham to ensure the home side did not get back into the match. This they did and really looked quite comfortable with no cause for concern at the back. This was in part to Tom Hacking, a player who is in his first season for the senior team after coming through the junior ranks was having an inspired game.

Along with skipper Gavin Cox and full backs Steven Coates and Michael Robson this looked promising to hang on to all three points. The half time concerns of tired legs taking over as the match entered the final third stared to emerge, the home side used all their available replacements and for fifteen minutes pushed Hexham further and further back.

In this blistering spell Forest Hall hit the crossbar and produced another fine save from Anderson before scoring twice in a short space of time. The annoying thing for Hexham was that they were almost identical goals, a high ball into the box was met with a Hexham defender but the second ball was not picked up and this was smashed low and hard into the opposite corner. This was a devastating blow for Hexham but the lack of new blood midway through the half had been decisive.

The team made every effort to get that goal to give them a probably deserved share of the points never came; Tom Phillips ran all afternoon and backed by North almost clinched a point in the last few moments. But a clash between the home keeper and his centre half as Hexham were breaking was stopped by the official for the defender to receive treatment.

The game ended in almost darkness as the rains descended on a Hexham side who despite tremendous effort returned home with nothing.

Spirits will have to be raised next week when early season pace setters Wideopen and Dist come to Wentworth Park when A2B Taxi's will be the match sponsor 2pm ko