Longhoughton Rangers: 0, FC Amble: 2
FC Amble edged a close encounter with Longhoughton on their first league game since the new leagues were announced.
In blustery conditions, Longhoughton started the better of the two teams and knocked the ball about with confidence, creating an early chance which was well saved by T Hall. Despite this, Amble took the lead after five minutes when D Handyside picked up the ball and ran at the home defence, before cutting inside and hitting a thunderbolt in to the top corner leaving the keeper with no chance (1-0). Both teams created chances with D Armstrong going close and Amble Keeper T Hall providing a good base for his team to build from. Both teams continued to probe but no further chances were converted before half time, and Amble went in 1-0 up, despite not being at their very best.
Amble produced a much better second-half display and matched the passing game of Longhoughton. They managed to carve out a few more chances with the lively D Ramshaw not allowing the home team to settle. J Ford got more into the game and saw a good move with him playing a good one-two with D Handyside before seeing his strike pushed onto the post by the home keeper and another effort going just wide. M Kerr and D Armstrong continued to work the flanks and D Armstrong produced a fantastic strike after a mazy run which saw the ball just go over. Amble did not have it their own way as Longhoughton continued to push, but a mixture of wasteful finishing and great defending by skipper B Handyside, R Paton and K Goodwin, along with a very assured display by keeper T Hall, kept them at bay. Most of the game was played out in the middle of the pitch, but the defining moment came with two minutes remaining when the hosts had a good chance that was well saved by T Hall, before he despatched the ball to J Ford, who showed a great touch before sending D Handyside through on goal . D Handyside picked his spot before firing past the keeper to give Amble a (2-0) lead.
Amble saw out the remainder of the match to secure the win and keep a very hard earned clean sheet. This was a very even contest, in which Longhoughton will find themselves a bit unlucky not to take anything from the game, but two great goals by top scorer D Handyside proved the difference on the day.
Spurreli’s man of the match: K Goodwin
