SENIOR BENEVOLANT BOWL

Cullercoats 2  Alnwick Town 3 

 Alnwick finally managed to get a game in after a sixty three day break since there last fixture back in December. Cullercoats was the venue for there quarter finale encounter in the senior benevolent bowl, Cullercoats a division below are cup specialists having won the league cup last year and have taken some notable opposition to task this year, a tough game on paper and for all who were there to watch enjoyed a terrific cup tie. It was Alnwick who started the better and in the opening minutes and had the better of the early play as both teams got to grips with the heavy pitch. Brooks in the Alnwick made a great stop pushing a low shot round the post on 20 mins as the home side had there first real effort. Neil Catlow was then called upon to head the ball off the line in a goal mouth scramble Alnwick forwards Richard Brown and Dale Kennedy’s pace were a constant threat to the home team throughout the half and were both unlucky to have efforts just off target.

 Alnwick went in front on 40 mins Scott McMullen’s corner was met by midfielder Tony Brown who timed his run perfectly to power an unstoppable header into the roof of the net from 10 yards out and give Alnwick an interval lead. Cullercoats equalised on 54 mins after poor marking let in Craig Deighton to score from six yards out.Alnwicks Chris Moffett was the next to test the home keeper his from 20 yards out was fumbled past the post. Tony Brown restored the lead on 70 mins receiving the ball just inside the penalty area Brown duly despatched a well placed shot in to the corner of the net. The game was end to end at this point and on 80 mins Deighton got his second for the home side after he was again in the right place as the ball was squared across the six yard line for him to score from six yards out. Alnwick centre half Gary Patterson was then called upon on 85 mins as he blocked a shot with his chest on the goal line to stop a certain goal. On 89 mins Tony Brown had a glorious chance for the winner from ten yards out but the home keeper made a superb save. The game went in to extra time with both teams going for the win and in the second period with 4 mins to go Mark Cockburn cut across the box beating two defenders before squaring the ball to Tony Brown who drilled the ball under the keeper from 10 yards out to complete his hat rick. Alnwick cold of made it four in the last minute Ben Keenan breaking free on the right but his cross was cut out by the home keeper with Scott McMullen free In the six yard box. Both teams must take credit for a great cup tie which just about had everything and was played in the right manor.

Pizza Royale Man of the Match: Tony Brown

Team: B Brooks, M Saunders, N Catlow, B Murray, G Patterson, S McMullen, C Moffett, M Cockburn, T Brown, R Brown, D Kennedy, B Keenan S Hutchinson

Next match home to Wark league kick off is 2: 30pm