ALNWICK TOWN 2 CARLISLE CITY 0

The curtain finally came down on Alnwick Towns long season with a home game against Cumbrian outfit Carlisle City.

Alnwick gave young midfielder David Davison his full home debut for the club in a five man midfield with an average age of only twenty.

It was the youngster’s dominance in midfield that was the catalyst for the win as they outplayed and fought there Cumbrian rivals who in the end resorted to a long ball game with little success.

Carlisle had there only real chance of the first half on 12 mins after a goal mouth scramble from a corner was eventually hacked clear by the Alnwick defenders.

Alnwick were playing some great football and deservedly went in front on 25 mins James Lang who was playing in centre defence for the game delivered a deep free kick in to the penalty area the Carlisle keeper came off his lines to punch the ball away but was left stranded as Dale Kennedy headed home from six yards out.

Alnwick had further chances Ben Keenan lone role up front was paying dividends as the midfielders were creating chances Davison was unlucky to get on the end of a five man move. Tony Brown then went passed three challenges as he cut in from the left and fired a low shot just wide of the post.

Alnwick went further ahead on 38 mins Keenan firing in a shot which the keeper fumbled in to the path of Chris Moffett who made no mistake from 8 yards out.

The second half was more of the same as Carlisle were being frustrated by the home side who looked good value for there two goal lead.

Full back Danny Lowes was the architect of a worthy goal as he interlinked with Kennedy and delivered the ball across the face of the goal for Keenan who was unlucky not to get a touch of the ball as he slid in at the far post.

Alnwick had a spell of pressure where shots were blocked in goal mouth scrambles after a succession of corners.

Brian Brooks in the Alnwick goal made the save of the game on 85 mins a 25 yard effort was heading for the top corner of the net but Brooks brilliantly dived full stretch tipping the ball wide of the post.

Alnwick ran down the clock in the closing stages finally beating there Cumbrian rivals who have become a bogey team in recent games.

Alnwick will look back on a great season having won the Benevolent Bowl, but more importantly the introduction of some very talented local youngsters to the squad who have gained valuable experience in the Northern Alliance premier division will hopefully bear well for next season’s campaign.

The players and management would like to thank everyone for there support through out the season and to the grounds men who have maintained the pitch at St James Park especially after the bad weather in the winter months.

Alnwick will hold their end of season dinner for the first team and reserves at Blackmore’s on Friday 11^th June anyone interested in going tickets are available contact: 605555 for details ASAP

Pizza Royale Man of the Match: Chris Moffett

Team: B Brooks, D Lowes, N Catlow, J Lang, G Patterson, D Kennedy, K Elliot,

          C Moffett, D Davison, T Brown, B Keenan, S Hutchins, J Jeffries, S McMullen