Mo0re the last-gasp hero for Alnwick with late, late winner

It was almost two months since Alnwick Town’s last win in the league, and it looked as though that run was going to be extended until Ross Moore fired home with the last kick of the game to give the home side a 4-3 victory against rivals Shankhouse.

The sides met little over a month ago, with Shankhouse recording a 2-0 victory where Alnwick somehow failed to score in a second half onslaught, so revenge was definitely on the cards at St James’ Park.

There was changes again to the starting 11, a common theme this season. Notable absences included captain Jake Lowes, who was rested to allow recovery from an ongoing injury, along with Harry Milham and Paul Muers who started for the Development Squad at Bedlington A.

The first half produced plenty of chances for both sides, and it was Alnwick who took the lead in the 11th minute. Simple football from the home side. A through ball to Cameron Cunningham who got away from the defender to cross for Jonny Colley to hit home from close range.

Chances fell to Brad McClelland who was unlucky to see a left foot curler go just wide of the far post, and Joe Threlfall fired straight at keeper Joyce.

It wasn’t all one way though, and Alnwick had Callum Brooks to thank for going into the break 1-0 ahead, denying Shankhouse a number of chances with good saves, and claiming well from set pieces.

Into the second half and the madness began!

With 51 minutes on the clock and Alnwick doubled their lead through the same combination as the first. Cunningham finding Jonny Colley in the box to fire home again. It was 2-0, and a league win looking likely.

Shankhouse had other ideas though and withinsix minutes they were level. Kevin Carr pulled Shankhouse back to 2-1 in the 53rd minute, and then in the 57th minute the away side were awarded a penalty following a challenge by Brendan Balmbra.

Keeper Brooks brilliantly saved the resulting spot kick, but Carr was first to react to level for the away side.

The momentum appeared to be with the visitors, but a moment of magic from Jonny Quinn once again restored the lead for the home side. From around 25 yards out, Quinn tried his luck, and his effort flew into the back of the net just inside the postto make it 3-2.

The game settled, and it looked as though Alnwick would see the match out, but the visitors still refused to give up without a fight and in the 87th minute they drew level again.

With Alnwick failing to clear the ball in the box, the ball fell to Chris Marshall to give Brooks no chance and level the score at 3-3. The search for a league win appeared set to continue.

But the home side were not in the fettle to give up though, and they continued to push forward, and deep into stoppage time they got their reward.

A free kick was cleared, and sent back into the box, falling to Ross Moore around 15 yards out. He turned and shot, appearing to get a deflection along the way and into the net.

It was a goal which sparked scenes of celebration on the pitch and on the touchlines. The relief of all in the ground from the home side was clear to see asTown had the league win they so desperately needed.

The victory, their fifth in the league so far this season, lifts Alnwick up to sixth place in the Northern Alliance Premier Division table with 18 points from 13 games.

On Saturday (November 17), Alnwick Town are home to Seaton Delaval, just three points adrift on 15, in a league game which kicks off at St James’ Park at 2pm.