Third place FC United of Newcastle were this weeks visitors to Wentworth L.C, Hexham (4th) with the visitors a narrow 2 points ahead of the Seniors in the League. In what was a massive game for both teams in the race for Promotion, a more settled Hexham side since the teams last met, were now on a roll and seeking revenge for a heavy loss in the last meeting earlier in the season.
Manager S. Donnison brought in local lad Richie Slaughter for his first game of the Season in midfield having signed in January. Slaughter one of 4 changes to a winning team, showed his experience in midfield along side Captain Dale Graham in an otherwise youthful team. It was a wise selection as he would go on to be the difference maker on the day in this important tie.

A pretty even first half with Hexham certainly having the better of the chances, but FCUoN defended magnificently with two first half goal line clearances denying both Charlie Clark and Luke Robinson-Crow adding to their season goal tallies. Both Goalkeepers were required to make excellent saves mid way through the first half to keep the game deadlocked until on 39 minutes, intricate play down the United right, resulted in a perfect delivery into the box and the United striker headed from around the penalty spot into the bottom corner past the diving Robbie to put the visitors in front at half time.
After the break it was a very different story as Hexham came out Second half determined to get back in the game. The away team were restricted to limited opportunities as Hexham started to dominate the game through the thirds of the pitch and playing some decent possession football on pitch that was starting to cut up. It need a further two goal line clearances to prevent the home team drawing level as United of Newcastle must take credit for throwing their bodies on the line for the result. When it seemed that it wasn't going to be Hexham's day, the impressive James McIntyre who was trying to get forward at every opportunity, came up trumps with an equaliser mid way through the second half with a low drive into the bottom corner. Hexham took inspiration and pushed even harder for the winner with the impressive Slaughter, Nathan Nesbitt and Max Gradwell all going close. United continued to defend well from set pieces but when the lively Fionn Struthers kept the ball alive in the far corner and then drove along the bye line to create panic, his deflected cross fell nicely on the edge of the box for Slaughter who drove a fierce drive under the opposition goalkeeper in the centre of the goal to give Hexham a much deserved lead. Hexham continued to dominate the remainder of the half and a fifth goal line clearance from Nesbitt prevented a third that would have settled the game. However, Hexham were deserving winners in the end and they now leapfrog above their opponents into third, 3 points behind Morpeth in second.
Goals : James McIntyre, Richie Slaughter.
Man of the Match : James McIntyre