FC Amble 2, Bedlington Storm 2
Honours were shared after a fantastically entertaining game of football between two evenly matched teams. FC Amble were the quicker to settle and pressed the ball at every opportunity not allowing their opponents any time on the ball. They were the first to have a clean strike at goal with D Handyside going close, forcing the Bedlington keeper into a good save. After 15 minutes, J Ford combined well with D Ramshaw only to see his shot go wide of the mark. R Paton had a couple of half chances but failed to connect cleanly.
Amble keeper, T Hall, was forced in to a good save after some clever football from Bedlington, before FC Amble took the lead at 22 minutes when K Goodwin played a ball into the feet of J Ford, who dazzled his opponents with some jinky footwork before placing the ball in to the corner (1-0). Amble held on comfortably until half time with B Handyside marshalling the troops like a general on the battlefield. This spurred Amble on and they came flying out the traps in the second half and extended their lead after only 2 minutes when D Handyside showed an amazing amount of determination to run almost the length of the pitch holding off defenders to fire the ball in to the net (2-0).
Bedlington then forced the play by playing an extra attacker and were kept out by another great save from T Hall before pulling one back when the bounce of the ball deceived everyone apart from the Storm striker who took his chance well and pulled it back to 2-1 after 37 minutes. Both teams continued to attack and Amble were unlucky when D Handyside smashed the ball off the post. Storm then equalised after 44 minutes when the ball broke to the edge of the area and the ball was smashed in to the net bringing the score level at 2-2.
Despite both teams pushing for the winner, the game finished all square, which was a fair result as none of the youngsters deserved to be on a losing team after producing a thrilling game of football that was enjoyed by everyone who watched. Amble kept up their current good run of form and extended their unbeaten run of games to five and produced a very determined and entertaining performance.
Spurreli’s man of the match: K Goodwin
