Hogg goal earns Alnwick a point at North Shields

Kieran Hogg was the player who scored a second half equaliser, cancelling out Ano Matsvimbo’s opener for the hosts.

Alnwick also had goalkeeper Dan Mullen to thank after the stopped saved a penalty, whilst a further Athletic ‘goal’ was disallowed after it was deemed the ball had gone out of play before being crossed into the area.

Alnwick started the game well and Paul Muers attempted an overhead kick which was directed straight at the keeper.

A Hogg free kick was also directed straight at the keeper, but the best chance came at the other end when Rhys Hogg Fouled in the box. Slee stepped up to take the spot kick but Mullen made a good save the keep the scores at 0-0. Slee then dragged a shot wide and at half-time it remained goalless.

The breakthrough eventually came just after the hour mark when Matsvimbo powered in a shot from the right side of the box which hit the roof of the net.

After a change of formation, Alnwick got themselves back on level terms when they won a free kick 20 yards out and Hogg bent the ball around the wall and inside the post.

Slee had the ball in the net for a second time for North Shields, but the effort was ruled out after it was deemed the ball had gone out of play before being crossed into the box. Right at the death Mullen came to Alnwick’s rescue again when he saved with his feet and then blocked another attempt at close range as Athletic searched for a late winner.

In the Development Division, North Sunderland had a 2-1 away win over Gosforth Bohemiens Reserves. The win lifted the Seahouses side back up to fourth place in the table with 31 points from 15 games. On Saturday they are away to Swalwell, who are ninth.

Wooler suffered a 2-1 away defeat at the hands of basement side Red House Farm, a result which lifts them off the bottom of the table.

In what was a bad day at the office for the Glendale side, they went in at half-time at 1-1 with Brandon Crombie equalising with a powerful shot from the edge of the box.On Saturday Wooler are away to Wideopen, who are one place behind them in the table.