Alnwick Town season reaches nail-biting finale

Manager Richie Latimer’s Alnwick Town made it a sensational run of six wins on the trot in a fortnight – conceding just two and netting 20 in that time – as they closed the gap on leaders Wallington to a single point.

The Greens were beaten 4-3 at Haltwhistle while Alnwick beat Newcastle Chemfica 3-0 in their final home League fixture, which was reversed due to St. James’s Park being waterlogged.

They face bottom of the table Seaton Delaval on Wednesday night before a visit to Burradon & New Fordley on Saturday.

“I’m absolutely delighted with the form the squad has been in - they have been brilliant in the past six games in a very testing backlog of fixtures,” said Latimer after Euan Potts controlled and finished a ball over the top to put Alnwick in front against Chemfica.

Jamie Clark added the second before keeper Zac Stephenson was shown a red, but stand-in Michael Laws saved the resultant penalty with his feet. Kai Slinn put away the third for the ten men.

Town had also won the derby at Stobswood 3-0 in mid-week thanks to goals from Lewis Fairbairn, a Joe Eggleston rocket from distance, and an Usman Ogidan finish.

“We go into the last week of the season in second position in the League, still with a chance of finishing top,” continued the gaffer.

“We have two big games to go - both not easy games, away from home to Seaton Delaval who are fighting for the lives on Wednesday and then at Fordley, who always give us a tough game.”

“But we will be giving everything, like the lads have been doing all season - they have been outstanding for me as a group. My message to the players this week will be let's enjoy it, try and get two wins and let’s see where that takes us.”

Wallington have a game in hand and host Stobswood in mid-week, travel to Gateshead Rutherford on Saturday and then Killingworth next Monday night.

Town also have the George Dobbins League Cup Final to look forward to when they play Ponteland United at Craik Park on Thursday, May. 16 Entry for the Final is £4 and £2 concessions, with the black and whites hoping for a big turn out to cheer them on.