Rothbury 1 Hebburn Town u23 6
Northern Football Alliance Division One
Rothbury boss Dan Herron was left exasperated
as a great first half display turned into a nightmare after the break.
Perhaps just as frustratingly it was talismanic
skipper Tom Macpherson’s final game before a big career move down to Yorkshire
with his young family and Herron was disappointed that he didn’t get the send-off
on the pitch that his talent, experience and dedication to the club deserved.
James Jackson shot the Reds ahead against
the League leaders and Tony Brown was inches from adding a second as he saw a
free-kick cannon back off the crossbar.
But David Loch profited from a defensive scramble
to grab a leveller and Herron couldn’t believe it when his side found
themselves behind as Daniel Maddison netted in first half stoppage time.
“That completely knocked the stuffing out
of us to be honest. We gave the ball away cheaply and they broke in numbers -
it was a good hit low into the bottom corner from the edge of the box. But like
I say, it killed us after being on top and going in 2-1 down,” admitted Herron.
“We played some really good stuff in the first
half and were probably on top in terms of possession. Hebburn had a few chances
though, and Keega (Paul Appleby) pulled off some decent saves.”
The Reds’ began well and went ahead in the 26th minute with a
well-worked move down the left, a rebounding ball falling into the path of midfielder
Jackson who smashed home.
When Brown bent his dead-ball effort against
the woodwork soon after, it looked like Rothbury could surprise the
table-toppers and Herron said: “I think if we could have made it 2-0 with
Tony’s free kick it would have given us the confidence to get something from
the game.”
It wasn’t to be though and Loch stabbed in
the leveller in the 37th minute before Maddison landed the sucker
punch just ahead of the sit-down.
“After the break Hebburn started brighter
than the first half and both sides were pushing for a goal. If the second
knocked the wind out of our sails the third one sunk the ship,” continued the
boss.
Central defender David Nesbit carried the
ball forward unchallenged and lashed a 30-yard drive into the top corner in the
55th minute. An ‘unbelievable strike’ conceded the gaffer.
“After that we never looked like getting
back into the game. Hebburn introduced their five subs and killed us for
fitness - with our heads down and their tails up, they punished us and we can’t
really have any complaints about it. Our reaction to going down needs to be
better.”
Town added three more to their tally in the
final ten minutes with a double from David Stansfield and a late Adam Lennox
effort.
There were, however, a number of positives
to take from the defeat including the displays of some of the youngsters that
are coming up through the ranks at the club.
“Young Harry Felton had a blinder, driving
on with the ball, very raw still but has all the potential to be a big player
for us in the future. Dylan Handyside also had a very good game for us, ratted
the ball back well and was good in possession – he’s another one for the future,”
said Herron.
“I was pleased with the way we played in
the first half, showing we can play out from the back and into the thirds. We
need to improve on our reaction to going behind though.”
While the young-guns look to the future, it
was a day for big Tom Mac to write his name into the club’s history books. He
made his debut for Rothbury in 2004/05 as a fresh-faced youngster under the tutelage
of manager, and uncle, Gordon MacKenzie, and quickly established himself as a
mainstay in the North Northumberland League side.
His talents soon took him to neighbours Wallington
in the Alliance then on to Alnwick Town where he was a mainstay in the St.
James’ Park outfit’s Northern League team. Well-liked and respected in football
circles as well as his home town and throughout the North-East, Macpherson returned
to Armstrong Park to take on the challenge of moving the club forward with
Herron and the pair were the driving force behind bringing Northern Alliance
football to the village.
“That was Tom’s last game before he moves
away to Sheffield,” said Herron.
“He’ll be a massive miss for the team, but
it’s a great move for his career and family so the club wish him, Leanne and
Jay all the best. Tom has done a lot for the club on the pitch, but even more
so off the pitch with the development plans and back room running of it, so the
team owe him a big thanks for the part he’s played in that!”
The big man will be a big miss for everyone.
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