Second half goal spree for Hexham

Posted by Hexham FC on Mar 9, 10 11:09 AM in Sport

Willington Quay Saints 0 Hexham 4

After another two week enforced layoff due to the weather it was time to dust off the boots and get back to league action for Hexham in the Northern Alliance. A trip to the Rising Sun Sports was on the agenda to take on Willington Quay Saints.

The pitch was understandably showing signs of wear and the centre area could only be described in horse racing terms as heavy. The rest of the playing area was ok and the match got underway with Hexham facing a deceiving incline in the first half. Playing any sort of football was difficult for both teams as time after time the ball would deflect and do all sorts of strange tricks as the surface cut up across the pitch.

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Scott Coates scores Hexham's 4th direct from a free kick

The best two chances fell to Hexham in the opening half, the first when Scott Robson beat the offside trap as Jamie McNamee was tracking back. With the Willington defenders appealing Scott bore down on the goal but home keeper Carl Henderson did enough to put him off as he came off his line. Next opportunity came from a set piece when Gavin Cox got a strong header which Henderson stopped on the line. In a bruising opening half centre back Graeme Turner seemed to be in the wars but came through the encounters on top.

Hexham needed that chance to break down the Willington back line that had looked a solid unit in the match but Curtis Harvey provided that much needed spark. With both teams just starting to settle into the second half he chased down a defender and robbed him of the ball just on the penalty spot and gave Henderson no chance in the home goal.

This lifted the spirits of the visiting team and not long after Curtis doubled his tally for the day. A Scott Coates near post corner looked like to be heading for skipper Gavin Cox who may have got the faintest of touches but Curtis was there before the keeper to deflect it into the goal (pictured below). Two goals in the first twelve minutes of the half effectively killed off the match.

Curtis Harvey scores Hexham's second goal

Willington then came out to try to recoup some ground which brought more space for the midfield trio of Coates, Tiffin and Gibson who exploited the extra room afforded to them. The playing surface was still not helping either team but Hexham did not mind this as everything was going their way. Jamie McNamee who earlier had a half chance which he shot over the crossbar made no mistake when a Scott Coates shot could only be parried by the keeper.

Hexham take on Willington Quay Saints It was inevitable with such a heavy pitch and lack of match practice tired legs an cramp would take its toll but Hexham were fortunate to have replacements such as Craig Nesbitt who slotted into the wingback role with ease. Neil Tiffin and Mark Gibson were vying for the man of the match award which Gibson just shaded, but it was their midfield colleague Scott Coates who stole the show at the end with a goal from a direct free kick (see video above) which he bent around the wall and into the far corner with three Hexham players all trying to get a touch.

The referees whistle went soon after to signal the end of a very satisfactory result with a impressive second half display. These three points move Hexham to fifth place in the table and with a home game this weekend they will be looking to continue their unbeaten home league record when Cramlington are the visitors to the Wentworth.

Hexham take on Willington Quay Saints