SHANKHOUSE 2 ALNWICK TOWN 1

Away to Shankhouse at anytime of the season is not an easy task throw in a bone hard pitch with little grass on it, a howling wind blowing heavy rain as the game kicked off and you get the picture.
Alnwick surprisingly adapted to the conditions well in the opening quarter of the game pressing back Shankhouse forcing a series of corners.
Alnwick went in front on 20 mins  Tony Brown delivering a deep cross to the back post which the Shankhouse keeper failed to take and fumbled it to the feet of Alnwick midfielder Paul Yeadon to tap home in to an empty net.

Marc Richardson fired narrowly wide of the post shortly afterwards from the edge of the area with the keeper beaten
Alnwick looked comfortable but on 44 mins were caught on the break and good play from Shankhouse saw them equalise after a 4 man move breaching the Alnwick rearguard.
The second half in contrast to the first half was played in glorious sunshine, Shakhouse were the first to test the keeper out Brooks in the Alnwick goal making a fine save tipping the ball on to the crossbar on 60 mins.
Alnwick missed a chance son after this Rich Brown crossing the ball from the left the ball coming back off the post just eluding Tony Brown who was racing in to get a touch on to the ball and finish it off.
The game was turned on its head by the referee who awarded a by kick and then to the surprise of all changed his mind, you could have wrote the script as Shankhouse scored from play following the corner.
Alnwick had a great chance to level soon after Tony Brown beating his man on the edge of the area but his shot was straight at the keeper.
Ben Keenan then fired a speculative shot from the edge of the box which went just over the crossbar. Brooks made another fine stop as Alnwick pressed to level the game but could not find the equaliser they more than deserved.
Alnwick had some fine performances on the day and will be disappointed they did not get anything out of the game.

Team   B BROOKS, D LILLICO, N CATLOW, G BAILS, R YOUNG, T BROWN,
            B MURRAY, G PATTERSON, P YEADON, M RICHARDSON, R BROWN,
            C HENDERSON, J LANG, B KEENAN, A TATE