Report

An entertaining game ended in a win for Rutherford against Wearside league Prudhoe Town.

Theo Rowe made his debut after impressing for the reserve side and Alv Rasmussen returned to midfield after a spell back in his native Norway.  Ben Hall also made his first start for the club as manager James Tate was eager to give those players a chance who had sat on the bench recently.

Prudhoe started strongly and put us under plenty pressure but good defending from Rowe and Sheriff kept them out.  However, Prudhoe took the lead on 23 minutes when the forward jinked into the box, twisted and then shot low just inside the near post.

Rutherford started to get to grips with the game and Andy Reay became a threat down our wing.  Reay sent in some great crosses which our forwards were only just unable to convert.  The equaliser was coming through and quick thinking by Aaron Sheriff released Danny Hill who beat the offside trap.  Hill rounded the keeper before slotting in.

Prudhoe took the lead again 3 minutes before half-time as the midfielder curled a beauty into the top corner following a corner.  Half time:  Prudhoe Town 2-1 Rutherford.

Rutherford were more dominant in the 2nd half as Eddie Keenan attacked the fullback and captain Shaun Todhunter found space in that attacking position.  The equaliser came from more quick thinking by Sheriff though.  Danny Hill had chased back to win the ball and drew the defender into a foul on the half-way line.  Sheriff took a quick free-kick that released Rasmussen and he slotted past the keeper with ease.

At the other end, Carl Hutchinson made a number of excellent stops and one of these allowed us to break on the attack.  Keenan beat the fullback and crossed for Todhunter, but as the challenges came in on both him and Reay, the ball ran loose for Ben Hall to smash home into the top corner from outside the area.

Overall, a very pleasing workout with nothing but positives for the team.