Alnmouth defeat narrows gap by chasing sides

Alnmouth found the gap between themselves and the teams behind them narrow as one of them, their opponents on Saturday, held out to record a narrow win while the other two also recorded unlikely victories.

With many absentees for the trip to Eslington Park, the Seasiders were soon trailing as a deep free kick was allowed to find the head of Alex Turnbull unmarked at the far post.

The lethargic visitors fell further behind on 35 minutes although they could count themselves unfortunate as an apparent infringement on Michael Brown went unpunished before the ball was hoisted into the box from where it was fired at an arm – adjudged to be deliberate hand-ball, presenting Mitchell Galloway an opportunity he took from the spot.

The contest could have been finished immediately after, but Aldair Batista blazed over six yards out and reprieved, United at last began to show some spirit and reduced the deficit five minutes later.

Peter Murray powering down the left wing, got the better of defenders before his resultant effort was blocked by ‘keeper Seb Jansen only for Jake Wilkin to react first and blast home from ten yards.

Searching for a leveller, Alnmouth enjoyed much possession thereafter but were unable to create enough in front of goal with Shaun Toal going closest as his neat turn and volley clipped the bar near the end.

Sponsor: Howdens Joinery, Alnwick.

* Northern Alliance results from Saturday (February 18) were:

Premier Division - Ashington Colliers 1, Wallington 2; Gateshead Rutherford 0, Newbiggin 1; Red House Farm 1, North Shields Ath 6; Seaton Delaval 2, Northbank Carlisle 1; Shankhouse 3, Percy Main 1; Birtley Town 2, Ponteland 2.

Division 1 - Cullercoats 0, Wallsend BC 1; Gateshead Redheugh 2, Alnmouth 1; Grainger Park 4, Cramlington Town 0; Heaton Stannington A 1, Gosforth Bohemians 3; Wallsend LC 1, Hebburn Reyrolle 0.

Division 2 - Prudhoe YC Seniors 1, Whitley Bay BC Seniors 2; Bedlington Town 0, Killingworth YPC 3; Willington Quay 4, Blyth FC 0; Cramlington United 6, Wideopen 2.

*Fixtures for this Saturday (February 25) are:

Premier Division - Newbiggin v Killingworth Town; Percy Main Ams v Northbank Carlisle; Red House Farm v Newcastle Univ; Seaton Delaval v Birtley Town; Shankhouse v Gateshead Rutherford; Wallington v Ashington Colliers.

Division 1 - Alnmouth v Heaton Stannington A; Cramlington Town v Hexham; Felling v Grainger Park; Gosforth Bohemians v Cullercoats; Hebburn Reyrolle v Gateshead Redheugh; New Fordley v Wallsend BC; Seaton Burn v Monkseaton; Wallsend LC v Gateshead A .

Division 2 - Blyth FC v Whitley Bay BC Seniors; Blyth Town A v Bedlington Town; Forest Hall v Prudhoe YC Seniors; Ryton and Crawcrook Albion A v Whitburn Ath; Willington Quay Saints v Spittal Rovers.