NORTHUMBERLAND FA SENIOR BENEVOLANT BOWL FINAL

Alnwick Town 2 Heaton Stannington 1  (AET)

 Northumberland FA head quarters Blue Flame ground was the venue of this years bowl  final it was back in the reigns of Mike Dagless in 1987 that Alnwick last had there hands on this prestige’s trophy.

Heaton Stannington are a well established club being formed in 1910 and were looking to add some silver ware in there centenary season.

Both clubs play in black and white stripes and rules enforced a change of strips for both teams Alnwick playing in blue and Heaton in all red.

Alnwick have tried to rest players in recent weeks specifically for this game as the hectic end of season fixtures have taken its toll on clubs.

The game was evenly fought in the opening stages as both sides tried to gain the upper hand and it was Alnwick who were frustrating Heaton as they broke up play in midfield and were dominant at the back with Gary Patterson winning every ball in the air that came his way.

Alnwick created a couple of chances as crosses reined in to the Heaton penalty area Ben Keenan just heading over on both occasions.

 Young striker Dale Kennedy was a constant thorn in the side of Heaton as he closed down defenders time after time as he worked tirelessly for the team. Alnwick went in front on 38 mins a Scott McMullen free kick curled in between defenders was met by midfielder Tony Brown who lost his marker and headed over the stranded keeper and in to the top corner of the net for his 15^th goal of the season.

Alnwick went in to the interval with a deserved lead as they outplayed there Newcastle counterparts over the first period.

The second half sprang to life on 58 mins as Heaton were awarded a corner and a deep delivery to the edge of the penalty area was met by Ben Telford who smashed the ball home through a crowded penalty area and in to the back of the net.

The goal gave Heaton a lift and they had there best spell after this Brian Brooks was called upon to make superb save as he pushed the ball past the post from a close range effort. Alnwick were awarded a free kick on 75 mins Chris Moffett stepped up and curled a shot narrowly wide of the post, Alnwick were pushing for the win when a Heaton player was shown a straight red card for an off the ball kick on forward Tom Vickers. Alnwick threw everything at Heaton in the last 10 mins Keenan narrowly failing to side foot a McMullen cross which was drilled across the six yard area.

McMullen then tried his luck from 25 yard out but his shot clipped the top of the cross bar with the keeper beaten.

The game went in to extra time and the first period was pretty even as both teams re grouped after the short interval with the best chance of the game going to Vickers who turned in the box with an acrobatic strike from 8 yards out brought a great save from the Heaton keeper.

The second period was lit up after 3mins, Alnwick were able to deliver a cross in to a crowded penalty area and after a couple of blocks midfielder Mark Cockburn was on hand to fire in to the bottom corner of the net from 8 yards out and start a mass celebration at the same time.

The match could have been sealed soon after Keenan getting to the by line and squaring the ball across the box for either Kevin Elliot or James Lang who were arriving in to the box Elliot got the pass first and looked favourite to score but didn’t connect properly and the ball ran in to the keepers arms.

Credit to Heaton with the ten men pushed forward to the final whistle but it was Alnwicks night and the final whistle blew to some fantastic celebrations.

The Alnwick players would like to thank all the supporters on the night who travelled down and gave there superb support to the team.

 Pizza Royale Man of the Match: Gary Patterson

 Team  B Brooks, N Catlow, D Lowes, B Murray, G Patterson, S McMullen, T Brown

           C Moffett, M Cockburn, D Kennedy, B Keenan, K Elliot, T Vickers, J Lang,

           R Brown, J Jeffries, S Hutchins, M Batson, N Jefferson

 Alnwicks final league game of the season is home to Carlisle City KO 2.30pm