Hexham’s run of cup matches continued this week when Amble United was the visitors to the Wentworth on Saturday. These is the middle tie of three and after last week’s success in the NFA Minor Cup Hexham were looking forward to this match against the team lying in second place in the division. Hexham have never had the best of luck against this side and even before a ball was kicked the misfortune carried on. Due to suspension and work commitments they were without their captain Gavin Cox and wide men Craig Nesbitt and Scott Coates. The game started at a frantic pace with Amble first out of the blocks with Hexham pushed back. The team looked shaky and were having problems finding their men with too many passes going astray. This intern resulted in the defence being overworked; keeper Sean Heads must have feared the worst. Sean was in good form and he had to be, but he had no chance when Chris Moffit clinically finished when he was left unmarked from just inside the area. Still the pressure came from the visitors and Sean again played his part with some fine saves. A brief respite for the home side came from Iain Strachan when a well worked move from the left flank was finished with a rasping goal bound drive, but the effort was saved by Ross Stewart diving to his right hand side. The save was all the better as he had been largely redundant for the early part of the match. Lee Harker doubled the lead for Amble after twenty five minutes and the dark clouds of an Amateur Cup exit were beginning to gather. The score stayed the same until half time and Coach Terry Graham had some harsh words for the team for their first half display.
This must have had the desired affect and a different Hexham were on show in the second period. Passes were finding their man and strikers Darren Dobson and Iain Strachan were at last making inroads into the opposition half. At least now the Tynedale team were giving Amble a problem. The midfield started to win more control of the ball and the back line looked one hundred percent better. Ambles were still dangerous and Heads was still being tested in goal but Turner, Brown and McLean looked a far better organised outfit. The tie was brought back into Hexham’s reach from a corner dropped into the danger area and with three Hexham players all going for the kill the ball came out of the pack and into the corner of the goal. After the match the goal was awarded to Iain Strachan, but if the FA’s dubious goals panel get wind of it they might have something to say. As Hexham pushed forward looking to take this tie into extra time this did leave the defence exposed, but to their credit they held firm with Graham Turner outstanding and thoroughly deserving the man of the match award. The match ended with a defeat for Hexham but they could take tremendous credit for their second half performance. This brings about an all Amble semi-final when United take on other Amble team for a place in the final. This is a disappointment for Hexham who would have fancied their chances against the other Amble outfit. But at least United new they had been in a cup tie in the second half. The last of the trio of Cup games is on Saturday when Hexham take the road to Premier League outfit Cramlington Town in the second round of the League Cup. They should be back to full strength and perform like they did in the second half it might be an interesting tie
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