Alnmouth march on into the semi-finals

RED ROW WELFARE 1

On their return to action after an enforced wet winter break of nearly two months – longer since playing at their home Hipsburn ground, Alnmouth United’s marched into the semi-finals of the Minor Cup for the first time in their history as Kevin Bell stole the show with four second half strikes.

North Northumberland League table topping opponents Red Row had endured an even longer break but any rustiness didn’t show as they started the livelier and it was no surprise that they took the lead on the quarter hour when a Ben Lilburn 20 yard free kick evaded everyone to find the net.

Judd Donohoe levelled things up ten minutes later, running onto Bell’s through ball, his finish going in off the inside of a post.

Their composure restored, the home side turned things around on the hour when Bell opened his account, finding the bottom corner from eight yards following Brett Rogerson’s supply.

Red Row upped the tempo, but Alnmouth finished the stronger and Bell doubled his tally before completing his hat-trick just five minutes later from the penalty spot.

Bell made it a day to remember against his former club, netting his fourth with the last kick of the game.