Rallying call after Town suffer their '˜worst defeat in decades'

Northallerton 11-1 Alnwick Town
Alnwick Town's Tony Brown takes on an Esh Winning player in their opening game of the new season. Picture by Jason SumnerAlnwick Town's Tony Brown takes on an Esh Winning player in their opening game of the new season. Picture by Jason Sumner
Alnwick Town's Tony Brown takes on an Esh Winning player in their opening game of the new season. Picture by Jason Sumner

Yes, it was a disaster and one could use some mitigating factors but Saturday’s mauling at Northallerton was Alnwick’s worst defeat for decades.

One can accept criticism as everyone has that right, but what is needed now as we go through this difficult time is support for the team that will come good in the end.

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The team deserved to be beaten but one could argue with some verification it was not 11 goals for various decisions on the field.

Town had to make changes again due to injury/unavailability as has been the case all season.

The home team went ahead in the first five minutes with an unintended shot from Jarvie who sent over a high looping cross from the right, but it drifted towards the by-line for it to drop into the left side of the goal.

Northallerton were pressing hard, pushing men up quickly, with Alnwick depending on quick balls from the back without any real support.

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The second, third and fourth goals followed in quick succession by Cheesman, Hudson and Atkinson with the fifth coming from a penalty by Owen.

Halftime arrived with the home club 5-0 up, deserving the lead; the penalty was less than correct.

Alnwick kept on plugging away with half chances from Brown, Jackson and a couple from Brooks, without any breakthrough.

Straight from the kickoff of the second half, Alnwick got on the score sheet when a shot from Tony Brown beat home keeper James Briggs.

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Northallerton hit back four minutes later with Owen scoring number six.

Alnwick kept pushing forward and Liam Brooks nipped in between defender and home keeper as he had shouted for it, as he went to catch it Liam headed the ball but had to swivel quickly and shoot on the turn. The Town was playing quicker and more positively even though they were 6-1 down.

There then followed a flood of five goals without reply by Owen, Jarvie, Walker (2), Jones and Jackson.

Fulltime Northallerton 11 - Alnwick Town 1

When you consider the previous week the Champions-elect, Billingham Synthonia, only beat Alnwick 3-0 and Northallerton are no way close to them, it is even more mystifying.

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The Northern League over the last three years have become harder with vast amount of finance into teams which Alnwick cannot compete with, nor would, but it puts more effort than any other club into building a real community club with the expansion of the Juniors, the new Youth Club and opening its facilities to many organisations including the new High School for football facilities on the main pitch and Greensfield.

The Club will stay true to playing local players and will improve as most of the team is new to Northern League Games and they deserve the support of the Town for all the travel, training and the commitment they give.

The next home game is on Saturday, October 22, against Darlington, kickoff 3pm.