The game was pretty even in the first period with both teams having the odd half chance the best for Alnwick was Tony Browns 20 yard shot which hit the post with the keeper well beaten the ball was cleared as it came back into the six yards box.

Shankhouse had a couple efforts that flew high and wide without troubling Brooks in the Alnwick goal and both teams had to settle for a goalless first half.

It was a totally contrasting game in the second half with Alnwick playing with the slope and it was not long before Alnwick opened the scoring a well worked move on the right involving Huthins saw him square the ball to Scott McMullen in the penalty box the forward still had a bit to do but he beat his man and powered a shot through a crowded area in to the roof of the net from 10 yards.

Alnwick had their best spell of the game after this and forced a succession of corners and on 60 mins midfielder Brown curled a corner straight in to the top corner to the disbelief of the Shankhouse players.

Alnwick brought on James Jeffries soon after the second goal and the midfielder was soon in the action being played in by McMullen, Jeffries placed his shot wide of the keeper only for it to hit off the inside of the post and stop on the line the ball was gladly hacked clear by a Shankhouse defender.

On 80 mins Shankhouse were thrown a lifeline a free kick awarded 25 yards out was struck by Michael Bell the shot took a deflection but ended up in the back of the net

The goal gave Shankhouse new belief and they pressed for an equaliser, a ball over the top seemed to be covered by Alnwick defender Neil Catlow but he blatantly handled the ball in front of the linesman on the edge of the box. The ball was crossed in to the crowded box from the free kick and was blocked on the line but the ball fell to Kevin Gustard to equalise the game from 6 yards out.

It was self destruct time for Alnwick as panic set in and a rash tackle from Alnwick captain Bryan Murray on 90 mins saw a penalty been awarded ,the drama was not over yet as Brooks made a great save diving low to his left and the ball was cleared for a corner by Mark Cockburn.
The final whistle was blown shortly after with both teams and management wondering whether it was three points dropped or a point gained.


Pizza Royale mom Bryan Murray


Team B Brooks, D Lillico, N Catlow, B Murray, G Patterson, S Hutchins, T Brown,
M Cockburn, J Lang, S McMullen, D Kennedy, J Jeffries, K Elliot, D Lowes,
N Macfarlane, P Yeadon, M Saunders.