Frustrating night for Alnwick with home defeat

It was a frustrating night of football for Alnwick Town on Tuesday night against a Whickham side who went top after their 3-0 victory at St James’ Park.

Alnwick had chances throughout the game, but they struggled to trouble Curran in the Whickham goal.

Whickham took the lead in the 18th minute, Mark Fitzpatrick firing into the roof of the net. It should have been 2 just a couple of minutes later, but the same man missed an open goal after rounding keeper McMahon.

Alnwick thought they were given a way back into the game when Schiavetta was brought down and landed inside the box, but the referee awarded a freekick outside the box and the freekick failed to trouble the away side.

Early 2nd half substitutions for Alnwick saw hay and Douglas on for Aisbitt and Riddell.

Alnwick were then given another lifeline when David Fitzpatrick was sent off for 2 yellow cards, when really he and others could have been sent off earlier had the referee acted on constant time wasting and dissent.

Brooks had Alnwick’s best chance in the 66th minute but his shot was agonisingly saved by Curran. Alnwick were made to pay for not taking their half chances when Mark Fitzpatrick made it 2-0, controlling a high ball and rifling it into the bottom corner.

Gair, Hay and Brooks all had efforts go wide and easily saved, as it just wasn’t going to be Alnwick’s night.

To round off his night, Mark Fitzpatrick got his hat-trick in injury-time following a mix-up between goalkeeper and defence to slot into an empty night from 25 yards.

Next up - Easington Colliery on Saturday at St James’ Park

Team: McMahon, Riddell (Douglas R), Dundas (Lowes J), Lowes D, Macpherson, Gair, Schiavetta, Brown, Brooks, Aisbitt (Hay), Jackson

Unused: Straughan R, Giles J

Match Sponsor: Northern Structures Ltd