Alnwick Town 3  Blyth Town 1

Blyth Town were the visitors to Alnwick and they were looking to do the double having beaten them earlier in the season 2 - 1

The game got the go ahead after a lot of hard work from the ground staff who worked tirelessly to get the St James Park surface in a fit state to play after last week ends cup match against Carlisle City.

Blyth started the game at a very high tempo and were penning Alnwick back in there own half, Alnwick were further hampered when centre half Stephen Rutter had to be substituted on 20 mins with a knee injury.

The home side got to grips with the conditions and created the first real chance Ben Keenan out stripping the defence running through on the keeper but the ball didn’t run kindly for the striker and the chance went astray.

 Scott McMullen was next to test the Blyth keeper firing a powerful shot through the crowded penalty area, the Blyth keeper seen it late but made a great stop.  On 43 mins Blyth were awarded a controversial free kick on the edge of the penalty area Alnwick players alleging the player had dived and conned the referee, Dobson duly stepped up and curled a terrific free kick in to the top corner giving Brooks no chance and Blyth an interval lead.

Alnwick had the perfect start on 50 mins McMullen getting to the by line and skilfully beating his marker and delivering a super cross for midfielder Chris Moffet to powerfully head home in to the bottom corner from 10 yards out.

Blyth had the next chance and brought the save of the game, a corner falling kindly to a Blyth forward who powered a shot from 8 yards out but a terrific block from the home keeper Brian Brooks pushing the ball onto the crossbar saved a certain goal.

Alnwick were awarded a penalty on 60 mins Tom Vickers returning from suspension beat two players in the box and was duly fouled for a penalty, Ben Keenan stepped up and tucked it away in to the corner of the net.

The game was put to bed on 75 mins Tony Brown finding himself in space in a wide position delivered a perfect cross for Ben Keenan who headed powerfully in to the corner of the net. Alnwick saw out the remainder of the game with 10 men after James Jeffries had to leave the field with an ankle injury.

Blyth had a couple of half chances towards the finish of the game as they pressed for a goal but the home side grinded out the result and grabbed 3 vital points.

PIZZA ROYALE MOM:   Neil Catlow

Team  B Brooks, B Murray, S Rutter, N Catlow, G Patterson, T Brown, C Moffet,

           K Elliot, T Vickers, S McMullen, B Keenan, D Lowes, J Jeffries, L Odd,

           J Lang