Last updated at 10:02, Friday, 12 February 2010

Hexham 3, Newcastle BT 1

ONCE again the Northern Alliance fixture list was affected by the weather but Hexham were fortunate that their Division Two match was given the go-ahead.

Once again the squad was depleted with seven call-offs due to injury and work commitments.

Newcastle BT had not come just for a day out and was looking for the points and for the first 10 minutes had Hexham on the back foot.

They seemed sharper in to the tackle and were finding their men better than the home side, but did not put Dave Anderson in the Hexham goal under any serious pressure.

After that opening spell Hexham’s midfield began to win the battle and create the chances for the strikers Tom Phillips and Curtis Harvey.

It was a momentous moment for 17-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 in a shot. BT keeper Guy Henderson, diving to his right, got a hand to it but was only able to push it on to the post before it ran over the line.

Hexham now had to push on, so as not to repeat the errors 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 10 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 spot kick 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.

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 ricocheted into the goal.

Hexham nerves were a little on edge at the beginning of the second half but after 15 minutes skipper Gav Cox restored the two goal advantage.

Hexham welcomed back to the side old boy Mark Gibson who has just returned to the side after a recent transfer from Premier league leaders Wark.

Scott Coates won the man of the match with another non-stop display and Curtis Harvey gave way to new signing Joe Stevens.

With the points in the bag and a creditable eighth place in the table, it’s Charity Cup duty tomorrow when the team travel to first division South Shields for a match sponsored by Mr Ant’s Bar.

First published at 09:42, Friday, 12 February 2010
Published by http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk