The Reserves ended the season in style with their biggest win of the season to finish an unlikely fourth in the Tyneside Amateur League. Lindisfarne were the latest victims as the Reserves won their fifth game out of six, all with clean sheets.

The Reserves were high on confidence and desperate to win not only to get fourth place but to give four graduating players a winning end to their careers. The Reserves dominated from the start against a Lindisfarne team clearly missing key players but struggled to create clear chances as Lindisfarne defended in numbers. Inspirational leader Gaz Hopkins' dangerous free kick tipped onto the bar by the home keeper and defensive colossus Trigger Robinson blazing the rebound over was the closest the Reserves came until they took the lead with a wonder own goal late in the half. Dave Alexander was the creator, powering past a defender to swing in a dangerous cross with his left foot which was superbly headed in by the Lindisfarne number 3. Lindisfarne then came back into the game but Robinson and graduating centre half Alex Martin held firm.

The Reserves turned round determined to kill the game off and did so after an hour, with the best goal they have scored this season. Rob Scott's quick throw out to Hopkins started the move, Hopkins played an inviting ball down the line for striker Karl Williams who skinned his defender then crossed for Alexander to power a near post header across the keeper. This quality touch was his last as talented fresher Nico Heslop took his place.

Once again the Reserves fitness came to bear as they continued to open up the home defence. The graduating Mark Rogers was his normal industrious self in the heart of the midfield with willing sidekick Sam King, and was at the heart of most of the Reserves passing moves. The innovative Rich Turner had his best game of the season on the left and contributed everything save a goal in his last competitive game. After further Reserves pressure, Turner's cross shot broke loose to Hopkins who hit a sweet side foot half volley across the keeper for the third goal. This marked the entry of legend Pollard for King. He soon scored his first ever Tyneside Amateur League goal after an unfortunate error by the home custodian and unselfish play by Hopkins left him with the simplest chances, one which he accepted with aplomb rising like a salmon to head into an empty net.

There was still time for veteran defender to replace impressive fresher left back Rory Monaghan and make a storming run down the wing, which was only ended by a crude challenge. Miller combined well with graduating right back Tim Burke-Murphy, who has been a revelation in that position, and the powerful central defensive duo. Robinson once again won man of the match honours but his excellent performance was one of many. The talk is now of working hard in pre-season and challenging Winlaton for the title.

Author: Pad

Team: R.Scott, T.Burke-Murphy, R.Monaghan (P.Miller), M.Rogers, A.Martin, D.Robinson (MoM), S.King (M.Pollard 1), G.Hopkins 1, K.Williams, D.Alexander 1 (N.Heslop), R.Turner