ROBSON CUP QUARTER-FINAL


Lynemouth Reserves 0 Alnwick Town Reserves 3


ALNWICK Town Reserves have booked their place in the semi-final of the Robson Cup.

The Division Two table-toppers grabbed their place in the last four thanks to a hat-trick from David McCann.

The game was marred by the wind. Town won the toss and decided to go into the wind in the first half.

Lynemouth started the strongest and applied the early pressure.

The Alnwick defence coped well and after soaking up the Lynemouth onslaught they started to get back into the match, keeping the ball on the ground. Alnwick had their first chance when a goal-mouth scramble led to the home team clearing off the line and Dale Kennedy had a shot saved.

Lynemouth responded and a free-kick tested Town keeper Gordon Saunders but he saved well.

Alnwick took the lead with a set-piece of their own. Kennedy was fouled in the area and McCann stepped up to take the spot-kick. His effort from 12 yards was saved but he pounced to score the follow-up to put Alnwick 1-0 up at the break.

Lynemouth had chances early in the second-half but Jordan Rogerson made two timely blocks on the line.

With the wind now behind them Alnwick were looking strong and it wasn't long before goal number two.

Darren Coxford cleared a Lynemouth corner but the wind took the ball closer towards the Lynemouth goal. The keeper rushed out but McCann got there first and chipped over the keeper. He then collected the ball and ran it into the goal.

Lynemouth had another spell of pressure but the Alnwick defence was strong and Saunders only had one save to make.

And Saunders had a part to play in Alnwick's third. His long kick downfield caused confusion between the home keeper and the defence and McCann, showing great awareness, took the ball in his stride and fired past the defender to score his hat-trick.

Alnwick had their chances to make it four while Saunders saved another effort to keep Lynemouth out at the other end.

Alnwick travel to Springhill next Saturday. Players to meet at 12.15pm.