Hexham Seniors completed the double against a gritty but bottom of the League Blyth Rangers team away at Bede Academy on Saturday afternoon (16/11/24). Hexham came away eventual 1-4 winners but were made to work hard for their victory. Despite dominating the first half which seen the Blyth goalkeeper in inspirational form, the visitors some how went in 1-0 down at half time. The Seniors started much the brighter of the two teams with some excellent passing football and brilliant balls in behind catching the Blyth defence scrambling on a number of occasions. Fionn Struthers was providing a thorn in the opposition side with most of the threat coming from him on Hexham's left hand flank. Struthers forced the GK in to a couple of saves and provided a number of excellent deliveries. Efforts from Charlie Clark (header), Nathan Nesbitt, Jake Robson and Alex Nesbitt were also finding the Blyth Goalkeeper in fine form.
Blyth managed to calve out a few first half chances. The first was put wide by the Blyth attacker after a fortunate ricochet put him in on goal. The second lacked a little in composure and was blazed over the bar by Blyth.
Hexham continued to pile on goalmouth pressure with a number of other chances. Captain Dale Graham burst into the box and went close, and further efforts from Clark, Max Gradwell and both Nesbitt twins had chances blocked and additional shots from Robson and Struthers were high and wide.
At the back, Hexham never really looked in too much trouble with Dan Cessford, Jake Dunstan and the impressive James McIntyre proving too good on the whole. Behind them GK Seth Robbie had one save to make but was otherwise restricted to defending ariel balls until a minute before half time when a long ball was not dealt with and the out rushing Robbie brought down the attacker for a penalty to the home team. On the resulting penalty, Robbie stood big, got down low and made a great initial save but Blyth were first to the rebound to put the home team 1-0 up, somewhat against the run of play.

Hexham again had the lions share of the possession in the second half but started to get a little frustrated in search of an equaliser. Max Gradwell failed from close range and Charlie Clark hit the bar. However, the perseverance was eventually rewarded midway through the second half after excellent patient build up resulted in Nathan Nesbitt putting the visitors level on the weekend of his 18th birthday. He and his twin brother Alex were soon to extending their birthday celebrations when Alex put a brilliant cross in for his brother Nathan to make it two for Hexham from close range.
Subs Ben Brownless and Max Beveridge were introduced late in the second half as Hexham pinned the home team back, and it was debutant Beveridge (who is another who has been with the club from 7 years old) who put in a fantastic dangerous low cross for fellow substitute Sam Clarke to score at the back post for his first Senior goal, a great moment for the both of them.
Dunstan was providing a number of dangerous set piece deliveries as Hexham hustled to improve their goal difference, however, he continued to defend well with McIntyre and Cessford to ensure it was not a nervy ending. Robbie made another good save midway through the second half to make up for an initial error. Hexham's performance was richly rewarded late in the second half with a fourth and a hattrick for the birthday boy Nathan Nesbitt as he struck a great strike from the edge of the box after strong work to work an opening for himself.
There was still time for substitute Owen Hogg to try a Ronaldo free kick but missed the target on the final whistle.

A late sending off for Blyth made for an even harder end for the home team who are still searching for their first home win of the season. For Hexham, it was a milestone day as this youthful and energetic Seniors (in all but name) team surpassed the 22 points before Christmas target they set themselves. An amazing achievement for a very young and inexperienced group. Well done on achieving their first target after such a big change in the summer. The team has been lead well by Coach Stephen Donnison and Captain Dale Graham.