Alnwick Town Res 2-6 Hexham

Posted by Hexham FC on Jan 26, 12 08:53 AM in Sport

The longest road trip of the season for the Tyne Valley side on Saturday did not daunt them as they produced one of the best performances of the season and came home with three well deserved points. Alnwick are a good side and they play the ball about well but Hexham took the bull by the horns and after only fourteen minutes they were two goals in front. Scott Robson started the goal spree when he converted a Neil Tiffin inch perfect pass and when Paul McLean caught a Thomas North corner on the half volley to drill it past bemused home keeper Michael Armstrong Hexham were flying. Neil McFall pulled one back for Alnwick from a free kick on the twenty minute mark to give Hexham a few nervous moments but the two goal advantage was restored when Ali Stobbs got the first of his goal of the day when Armstrong could only parry a Scott Robson shot, Ali was razor sharp to make sure the ball crossed the line. Alnwick tried manfully to get back into the game but this was to be Hexham's half and as the pressure increased on the home goal a flailing arm was stuck with the ball from a Mark Gibson cross, referee Darren Thomas had an easy decision to make and point to the spot.

Paul McLean took on the responsibility and he took a perfect penalty giving Armstrong no chance and Hexham had a 4-1 advantage at the interval.
This was a game of two haves and Alnwick came out much the better putting Hexham under increased pressure and got an early reward when Nat Price gave the home side a glimmer of hope with a well taken goal. Hexham never really got going in the second half but they had enough in their locker to see out the job. Ali Stobbs completed his hat trick with two very similar goals, on both occasions he drew the keeper then went round him to score. Orin Parkinson and Mark Gibson both were the providers on each occasion but the credit must go to Ali as there was still a lot of work to do each time. Not surprisingly Ali won the MotM award as Alnwick struggled to cope with his pace, skill and strength all afternoon. The home side did have more chances in the second half but the visiting team defence held firm and behind the back four keeper Dave Anderson was as solid as ever producing a couple of fine saves. Red House Farm have a big lead at the top of the table but between the next three team, Harton & Westoe, Wallsend BC and Hexham only have the smallest of one point difference separating them. Hexham have games in hand on their rivals but with home and away games to come against Wallsend which will go a long way to deciding their fate. Northbank Carlisle are also on the tails of the leading pack and with the Cumbrian's also appearing very soon on the fixture list every game from now on in will be a cup final

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