Hexham connect with three points

After that opening spell Hexham found their feet and started to make inroads into the opposing half, the midfield began to win the battle and create the chances for the strikers Tom Phillips and Curtis Harvey.

It was a momentous moment for seventeen year old Curtis just on the half hour when after scoring numerous goals though all the junior levels he bagged his first in senior football. It came when a Neil Tiffin long throw was flicked on by Scott Robson into the danger area. This was only partially cleared and Curtis found that little bit of space to get a shot in on goal. BT keeper Guy Henderson diving to his right got a hand to it but was only able to push it onto the post before it ran over the line.

Curtis has done well since coming into the squad and this will do his confidence a world of good. Hexham now had to push on so as not to repeat the error's made recently and not to let the opposition back into the game. Scott Coates has had a tremendous season so far and he continued in this rich vein of form constantly creating openings with midfield partners Tiffin and Dobson making sure the centre of the pitch was secure.

Not to be outdone by his striking partner, Tom Philips worked incredibly hard for the side and eventually he also got his reward by winning a penalty ten minutes before the break. A ball was played to him just outside the box and with a quick turn had his marker beaten, a desperate lunge from the defender caught Tom and he was sent crashing to the floor for a penalty.

Scott Coates dispatched the penalty in fine style to give Hexham a little breathing space. Before the half time BT had a couple of chances and Dave Anderson reacted well twice to keep the two goal lead, but he was unlucky with seconds to go before the break when a Simon Mattock effort from a corner hit the post then struck the keeper and into the goal.

Hexham nerves were a little on edge at the beginning of the second half but after fifteen minutes skipper Gav Cox restored the two goal advantage. As always he was in the box for a corner making a nuisance of himself and as the ball came his way he made sure he finished off in style.

This was the killer goal and from there Hexham closed the game down, after an hour Tom Phillips was replaced as he had done a great job for the side but after a recent illness he was starting to wilt. Hexham welcome back to the side old boy Mark Gibson who has just returned to the side after a recent transfer from Premier league leaders Wark.

Mark settled into the team like he had never been away. Scott Coates won the man of the match with another nonstop display and Curtis Harvey gave way to new signing Joe Stevens. Special mention to Darren Dobson who filled in three different positions as the team was reshuffled, quite a feat as Darren has just begun to get back to fitness after an illness.

With the points in the bag and a creditable eighth place in the table, its Charity Cup duty next week when the team travel to first division South Shields for a match sponsored by Mr Ants Bar.