CHALLENGE CUP

ALNWICK TOWN 4 NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITY 0

Alnwick entertained Newcastle University for the second time in the space of ten days, this time in the challenge cup.
Alnwick ran out winners in the league encounter but were wary of being complacent against the Newcastle side.
Alnwick had the better of the opening exchanges Tony Brown and Tom Vickers having half chances that narrowly went wide of the mark.
A penalty should have been awarded to Alnwick as Dale Kennedy was clearly brought down in the box but play was waved on.
Alnwick went in front on 35 mins, full back Danny Lowes scoring his first goal for the club a deep cross from the right sailed in to the top corner of the net giving the keeper no chance.

The second half got off to a good start on 55 mins a pin point cross from Ben Keenan to the back post found striker Tom Vickers who clinically headed home from six yards for Alnwicks second of the day.
Keenan then had a 15 minute spell where he could easily have had a hat trick, his first chance came as the keepers poor goal kick fell to him the striker curled the ball wide of the post, soon after he hit the bar from 8 yards then the keeper made the save of the game as he saved Keenan’s volley tipping it over the cross bar from 10 yards.
Alnwick were dominant at this point with midfielder Scott McMullen in particular a constant threat to the away side
Alnwick got their third on 75 mins, a powerful 25 yard free kick from McMullen was well saved by the keeper but the ball fell kindly for midfielder Paul Yeadon to follow up and score from six yards.
Vickers got his second of the day being played through by Keenan the striker showed his class as he calmly chipped the ball over the advancing keeper and side footed it home, making it six goals in four appearances.
Brooks in the Alnwick goal made his first real save of note on 85 mins a 20 yard effort which he tipped wide of the post.
Alnwick on the day were to strong for the visiting students and the away side could quite easily have come away with a much heavier defeat.

Alnwick Pizza Royale MOM Scott McMullen



TEAM   B Brooks, D Lowes, N Catlow, B Murray, G Patterson, K Elliot,
           M Cockburn, S McMullen, T Brown, D Kennedy,T Vickers,
           B Keenan, P Yeadon, J Jeffries, M Saunders