Hexham First teams winning run continues with a hard fought win at home against their nearest opposition in the League, Cramlington Town Independent. A win in this tie would see Hexham leap frog their opponents into fourth place temporarily at least as the away team has a game in hand.

On a difficult pitch for both teams following the freeze thaw conditions, Hexham started out the brighter and took an early lead in the first 15 minutes when a great through ball over the top caught the opposition defence napping and Luke Robinson-Crow brought the ball down well and slotted under the floundering Town keeper. Hexham scored a second not long after, when Charlie Clark raced on to another through ball and grabbed Hexham's second with a similar finish. The away team were stunned by the quick transition of Hexham's forward play but rallied for a solid 25 minute period where they put Hexham under pressure searching for an equaliser. It was that pressure that lead to Independent goal when some uncharacteristic defensive uncertainty, allowed the Cramlington forward in to round the out rushing Robbie in goal and slot in from a tight angle despite Hexham's best efforts to clear off the line.
The game started to open up and Hexham Captain Dale Graham put high over the bar when it seemed harder to miss, but he was instrumental when Hexham did eventually score their third right before half time. Good work from the Captain and Nathan Nesbitt, seen a shot parried by the Cramlington keeper and Charlie Clark was on hand to knock in the rebound on his left foot to give the hosts a 3-1 lead at half time.

Second half was much more even with Captain Dale Graham again going close with a great header, and Cramlington Town getting back into the game midway through the second half to make the score 3-2. Cramlington continued to push but some heroic defending from Hexham denied them an equaliser when the away team were denied twice, first from a save by keeper Robbie and then the subsequent rebound cleared off the line. The impressive Robbie also made an excellent save with his legs in a 1v1 that cannot be under appreciated at 3-2 as moments later with the away team down to 10 men (sin bin) Hexham took advantage when great work between Nathan Nesbitt and Jake Robson, found substitute Daniel Cessford who smashed in Hexham's fourth late on to seal the match.
Hexham's defending had to be on point to see the game out and screening the impressive Robbie was defenders Dunstan, McIntyre and MOTM Gradwell. It was a great team performance with everyone doing their part for the 3 points.
Credit to both teams for battling and making it an entertaining game. Hexham exact revenge for an away defeat earlier in the season, and they now move up to 4th in the League.