Junior Round Up

Dukeshouse was due to hold the two derby matches at the weekend with both the Hexham under 8 and under 11’s greens and whites were scheduled to lock horns. But the Friday night downpour put paid to any chance of playing.

Hexham U12's went down to their first league defeat since September, against a resurgent Prudhoe Yellows. In a game of 2 halves, influenced by the wind, slack defending and opportunist attacking put Prudhoe 4-0 up at the break. It took a Callum Snowdon effort half way through the second period to get Hexham back in the game but a further goal from Joff Carr was all the visitors could muster. Dan Ridley was Hexham’s man of the match for his determined defending and creative passing.

With top scorer Ryan Gardner missing, stalwart defender Calum Thomas and assist master Oliver Miller all missing Sunday’s encounter at Red House Farm was always going to be a challenge for Hexham u13’s Hexham started strongly and dominated an exciting first half. Goals from Luke Allman, Dominic and Kyle gave the visitors a deserved 3-0 half time lead. They then found themselves a little on the back foot as Red House Farm came out strongly with the wind in their backs. The score went to 3-2 which made for a nervy final few minutes. In the closing minutes disaster struck as Red House were awarded a penalty. It would have a been a real shame to leave today's game with only a share of the points, having worked so tirelessly throughout. Cometh the hour cometh the man as Matty Carteries made a great save to keep the penalty out and secure the three points for his Hexham side.

Hexham u14’s travelled to Cramlington Whites for their league one afternoon fixture.
On a heavy pitch the game got underway with Hexham kicking down the slope. Hexham had several chances but were unable to capitalise with the first half drawing to a close without any score. The second half followed the same pattern as the first with Hexham having several chances to take the lead.
With ten minutes to go a Cramlington attack brought the first goal of the game & within a minute of the restart Cramlington went two up.
Hexham went straight on the attack which paid dividends as a through ball found Bradley Lowes who lobbed the Cramlington keeper. Cramlington restarted the game & Hexham stole the ball, Sam Mannion cut in from the right beat two players & calmly slotted the ball into the right hand corner.

Hexham u17’s were also postponed on Sunday in their match against Wideopen, unfortunately Saturdays rain froze on the pitch and even the winter sunshine could soften in time for a lunchtime kick off

11-12 February

The semi final of the West Division Cup under 10 was decided by only one goal and that came from MotM for Hexham Whites Oliver Fairless. It was a very close game but that single strike was enough for the Whites to reach the final against Corbridge on 3rd March

Hexham u13’s kept up the pressure at the top of the Pinpoint second division table with an excellent 4-0 victory over close rivals North Shields. This win took them level on points with North Shields but goal difference ensured that Hexham leap frogged their opponents into second place. The weather still is playing havoc with the fixtures and this game had to be reversed at very late notice, but two goals from Ryan Gardner and one each for Luke Allman and Jake Dunlop earned the points for Hexham. The MotM award was not as clear cut as the score and it was impossible to separate Matthew Charteries and midfield man Tom Jepson so it was agreed to be shared

Bedlington CSC are storming away with the fifth division in the Pinpoint football leagues but Hexham u14’s were too strong for them in the third round of the League Cup competition. The goals were well spread out amongst the team with Brad Lowes bagging a brace and one each for Andy Knotts, Jakob Browell, Patrick Mcloughlin, Sam Mannion and Owen Hogg. Cramlington Reds are waiting for Hexham in the next round

4-5 February 2012

 Hexham u13’s hosted Blaydon on a cold and frosty January morning in the 3rd round of the Pinpoint League Cup. The game going ahead was touch and go with the frost not budging due to lack of morning sunshine. Both teams agreed that the pitch was in a playable condition and they were more than right with a great morning’s football taking place. Hexham ran out comfortable winners and progress through to the next round where they are sure to face League 1 or 2 sides, thus testing there metal further as they aim to progress all the way in this year’s League Cup competition. Dominic Weller was awarded man of the match for his excellent performance at the heart of the Hexham midfield.

The only other team to survive the frost was the Hexham u14’s who had a tough match away at Wallsend BC Yellows. Straight from the kick off Hexham went behind and they needed a penalty save from Jack Dobbing to keep them in the match very soon after going behind. Bradley Lowes equalised for Hexham after twenty five minutes after good work from Patrick McLoughlin and Andrew Knotts. But before the break Wallsend scored to take the lead again, this time Hexham did not take as long to hit back with a great strike from Tom Quibell two minutes after the restart.As time was running out it looked like the spoils would be shared but with only five minutes left on the clock Bradley Lowes popped up to get his second of the day and Hexham’s third to take the points. Owen Hogg made his debut for the team in this exciting encounter but MotM was Hexham goal keeper Jack Dobbings with a string of fine saves

January 21-28 2012

Hexham u10 Whites kept up their title challenge with a 3-1 victory over Throckley Magpies. A late change of home pitch due to HMS being waterlogged did not affect the whites as Robert Singer, Steven Heslop and Findlay Baty scoring for the whites.

Both Hexham u11 Greens and Whites were back in action in the NEYDL and both got a reward. The Greens were at Cramlington and enjoyed a comfortable win to maintain their joint third place in the table with Killingworth and West Denton.
The White’s had a thrilling match with mid table Tynemouth Yellows and came home with a creditable draw but with a little more luck could have all three points. It ended as a goalless but everyone who saw the encounter could not help to have been entertained
The wind was howling and the ground was boggy but that didn't stop the Hexham u13 playing some cracking one and two touch passing football in the Pinpoint League Cup. Blackfyne who were the hosts and added to the game by trying to play the game in an attractive way with the ball being passed along the ground and under the wind. Some great performances from the Hexham contingent, but Thomas Jepson pipped his team mates to win man of the match for his energetic and faultless display. Hexham proved too strong for Blackfyne in the tie and look forward to taking on Blaydon Youth FC in the next round

Hexham u14’s eased past Haydon Bridge in the West Division Cup semi-final and it was a special day for Brandon Ferns Kennedy who scored his first goal of the season.

Hexham u17’s resumed after the Xmas break with their first game of the new year at home to Willington Quay and Howdon. A muddy pitch did not help but conditions were the same for both sides. Hexham's first half performance left them 3-0 down at half-time with the team having played as if they had just scoffed the remains of the turkey and the Xmas pudding: they were sluggish, sloppy and second to the ball. What is more, the Willington goals had all resulted from simple hoofs up the field. Even though they had been playing poorly, the Whites had still created good chances but some wayward finishing had left them goal-less. Hexham bucked their ideas up in the second half but were well short of their best, both in terms of fitness and footballing quality. Jonathan Bell managed to pull two goals back for the Whites but the match finished with the Whites on the wrong side of a 3-2 score-line. The result was probably fair as although the second half had belonged to Hexham, Willington had had their chances too. Let's hope the Whites can quickly get back to their excellent pre-Xmas form.