When North Shields turned up at Hexham for this league game on Saturday, most sides would have lost the psychological battle even before a ball was kicked; such was the size and physical presence of this strong North Shields team. Recent history was also against Hexham since in the last match between these two sides in early September Hexham lost 5-1. North Shields therefore came to Hexham brimming with confidence and sitting pretty at the top of the league. Playing down the slope in the first half Hexham took the game to North Shields right from the first whistle and took a deserved lead when “girl of the game” Layla Zahawi got on the score sheet once again following one of her long mazy run from the halfway line. Hexham then went two up when captain Catherine Johnston slotted one home to double the advantage. North Shields were however starting to create chances of their own but keeper Hollie Robson made a number of good saves to keep Shields at bay. Just before half time Shields managed to get one back and going into the second half playing up the slope Hexham were waiting for the onslaught as Shields started to build in confidence. But the onslaught never game as Hexham continued to battle away against the odds. As the match moved into the last quarter Hexham had succeeded in putting North Shields in a position they had never found themselves in all season, that of trailing 2-1 towards the close of the game and they were unable to come up with the answers to change their fortunes. Hexham’s “rock” at the back was most definitely Beth Kennedy who tore into tackles all game, ably supported by full backs of Ellie Harris and Chloe Duncan who were tackling everything that moved. Holding midfielder Marie McLoughlin had a very disciplined game and midfielders Kelly Loughhead, Stephanie Chapman and Jennifer Sewell continued to create chances with wingers Georgina Callf and Catherine Johnston managing to catch Shields on the break feeding the ball through to Layla Zahawi on a number of occasions. North Shields continued to threaten but keeper Charlotte Kennedy made some good saves and was saved by the post on at least one occasion, much to North Shields’ frustration. Hexham held out until the final whistle for a much deserved 2-1 win. Over recent weeks this Hexham side has changed, not only developing an ability to score from all over the pitch but also building a steely resilience in defence. They are now a difficult side to beat and can move towards the next stage of the season with quiet confidence.
HEXHAM GIRLS PROGRESS TO CUP SEMI FINAL
Hexham Girls Under 14’s 6 Kingston Park 3
Taking a one goal deficit into the second leg of the cup competition Hexham knew they had to be on top of their game in order to reverse the advantage against a strong Kingston Park side. Despite losing to them in their previous two fixtures this season Hexham came into this game full of confidence and took the game to Kingston Park right from the first whistle. It was therefore a surprise to see Hexham fall behind early on. Hexham were however soon back on level terms with a well taken goal by Layla Zahawi who is in a rich vein of form at the moment. Strengthened by the return of Beth Kennedy, the defence of Enya Mason and Ellie Harris were coping well with the tricky Kingston Park attack and were ably supported by holding midfielder Marie McLoughlin who was blocking off all attacks up the middle and allowing Hexham to get back on the ball. Restored to her preferred central midfield role, Kelly Loughhead scored the second goal, lobbing the keeper from 20 yards out. Kingston Park soon hit back though to get the score back to 2-2. In goal Charlotte Kennedy was having a fine game shot stopping and saving bravely at the feet of attackers on a number of occasions. Wingers Georgina Callf and Catherine Johnston were exploiting gaps down both flanks and they were well supported by midfielders Stephanie Chapman, Viviane Straub and Chloe Duncan who were always on hand to release the ball. In the second half Hexham really went on the offensive and captain Catherine Johnston came up with her trademark thunderbolt from 20 yards out and was unlucky not to score again later on when her shot from a direct free-kick rattled the cross bar from 25 yards out Layla Zahawi completed her third hat-trick in her last three games and even went one better this week by slotting home a fourth to make the score 6-2. Despite Kingston Park getting a late consolation goal this was a fantastic team performance by Hexham giving them a richly deserved win and allowing them to progress to the semi finals of the league cup competition. The team now has to focus back on the league with a home fixture against league leaders North Shields on Saturday. That said, the way this Hexham side is starting to play, they should fear no one.
LAYLA HAT-TRICK KEEPS HEXHAM IN THE TIE
Kingston Park 4 Hexham Under 14 Girls 3
Hexham Under 14 Girls took to the field against a strong Kingston Park team on Saturday in the first away leg of the Cup competition. Playing with a strong wind at their backs Hexham took the game to Kingston Park right from the first whistle and it was a bit of a surprise when the opposition took the early lead. Hexham did however soon level it with a well taken goal from Layla Zahawi. Hexham continued to attack with wingers Georgina Callf and “girl of the game” Catherine Johnston being particularly effective, causing havoc in the opposition half. They were ably supported by midfielders Stephanie Chapman, Marie McLoughlin, Jennifer Sewell and Viviane Straub as Hexham continued to snipe away at goal. Against the run of play Kingston Park went ahead yet again and, facing a strong wind in the second half, Hexham knew they were going to have their work cut out. The defence of Enya Mason, Kelly Loughhead and Ellie Harris were just about managing to hold out and in fact Hexham pulled level again with Layla Zahawi once again on the score sheet. Goalkeeper Charlotte Kennedy was now really up against and it was no surprise when, after wave after wave of attack, Kingston Park restored their lead. Not to be out-done however Hexham continued to plug away with Sophie Davey working hard up front. Hexham were soon rewarded with a third goal to get back on level terms with Layla Zahawi getting her second hat trick in a week. Sadly Kingston Park managed to sneak a fourth goal late on to take a 4-3 lead into the second leg but with Hexham on home turf next week those 3 away goals may come in very handy.
Brace of Hatricks seal fine Hexham win
In their first home game of the season Hexham Under 14 Girls had a great win against Ashington on Saturday. Ashington started the game with only 10 players due to one of the parents’ cars breaking down and Hexham made good use of the extra person as they quickly reached 3-0 in a short space of time. All of the goals were scored by centre forward Layla Zahawi who was terrororising the Ashington defence with her sniping runs. Shortly afterwards Catherine Johnston got in on the act with a thunderbolt of a shot. Even with Ashington back up to a full compliment of players Viviane Straub soon got on the score sheet, lobbing the keeper from 25 yards to make the score 5-0 at half time.
Keeper Charlotte Kennedy had little to do in the first half and the defence of Enya Mason, Kelly Loughhead and Ellie Harris snuffed out any hint of an attack from Ashington. Midfielders Chloe Duncan, Jennifer Sewell, Stephanie Chapman and Marie McLaughlin were winning the contest in the middle with timely tackles and linking up well with the front players. Captain Catherine Johnston was having a fine game and finished up with two more goals in the second half to make up a well deserved hat-trick. Girl of the game Georgina Callf was working hard up the left wing whilst up the right side Viviane Straub managed to clinch a second goal for herself with a well taken effort. Ashington did start to come into the game, forcing Hexham back into their own 18 yard box and closing in on the Hexham goal with a few good chances. Ashington did in fact manage to score a well deserved consolation goal in the last quarter of the game, a just reward for sticking at it and competing from start to finish.
This was a fine victory for Hexham, giving the team a timely boost for their next match which is a cup game away at Kingston Park. If this side continues to play like this it can be a good match for any team in the league.
