Last updated at 09:53, Friday, 05 February 2010

FROSTbound grounds caused havoc with the Tyne Valley Insurance Tynedale Mini-soccer League programme.

The only game to go ahead was at Wark, where after much thought they played host to Wylam Rockets Blues in Division One.

The children proceeded to make light of the underfoot conditions to provide a real cracker of a match which flowed from end to end with the result in doubt right up to the final whistle.

The Rockets impressed with their ability and aim to play the ball along the bottom and they eventually settled the issue with a last gasp goal by Jamie Barnard for a 3-1 win.

Both sides started brightly but early on they cancelled each other out with the first real chance falling to Wylam.

Andy Lowes found Luke Greenwood who skilfully beat Nicholas McNeil before firing just wide of the upright.

The resultant goal kick was won by the visitors’ Ben Cairns who linked up with Samuel Collins and Greenwood, for the latter to force a good save from Wark keeper Tom Hill. He released Harry Bertram whose ball down the line found Eddie McClean who cut inside to be denied by a brilliant save from Wylam keeper Lewis Winship.

The cut and thrust continued with Wark pressing forward through Jake Thompson and Jack Johnstone and this led to Lewis Clint firing narrowly wide but at half-time it was still goal-less.

The second half was a similar story but the Rockets opened the scoring when a clearance by the home keeper was intercepted by Jamie Barnard who netted an opportunist goal.

Wark responded strongly but found Lowes and Watson well up to the task at the back for Wylam.

The visitors hit back to double their advantage when a ball into the box by Collins was half cleared by Loui Charlton for Jacob Hatch to drive home.

The teams then rang the changes with Wylam introducing Travis Page, Callum Piggott, Owen Cooper and Drew Hall and Wark bringing on Reece Scott, Jack Skerritt and Jack Muncer.

The North Tyne outfit piled on the pressure in a bid to get back into the game with Scott and Muncer being thwarted by the excellent Winship.

However, the home side’s efforts were finally rewarded with two minutes to go with Charlton picking up a long ball to set up the chance for Johnstone to find the bottom corner of the net.

In the hopes of finding a late equaliser Wark poured everyone forward, including keeper Tom Hill but were caught on the break following a goal-mouth scramble which the Rockets cleared for skipper Barnard to score their third with the last kick of the match.

First published at 09:40, Friday, 05 February 2010
Published by http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk