Hebburn through to League Cup knockout stages with Chester-le-Street win

Northern League Cup Group H

Hebburn Town 3-0 Chester-le-Street Town

Richardson 31

Martin 63

Robson 82

Hebburn are through to the knockout stages of the Northern League Cup with one group game left to play, after a 3-0 win over Chester-le-Street at the Energy Check Sports Ground.

Goals from Michael Richardson, Olly Martin and Jack Robson separated the two sides on the night.

It was a game that Hebburn dominated for large parts, and Chester-le-Street only had one shot all game – coming from Nial Fingleton in the 55th minute.

The Hornets started brightly and could’ve been in front within two minutes of kick off when Ben Dibb-Fuller headed just wide on the end of Lewis Suddick’s cross.

Six minutes later, Martin tried his luck from near the halfway line but his effort went just wide of the goal.

In the 30th minute, Martin came closer when his volley on the end of a good header on the left brought about a good reflex save from visiting ‘keeper Phillip King.

Kevin Bolam’s side took the lead moments later when captain Louis Storey squared it to Richardson and he put it away at the far post.

Hebburn came incredibly close in the 34th minute when Suddick’s goal-threatening cross brought about a crucial clearance off the line, with Martin ready to put the ball away.

Chances were few and far between for the rest of the half, and it wasn’t until the 59th minute when Martin had a goal ruled out for offside following a good cross into the box by Lewis Horner.

Four minutes later, the Hornets doubled their lead when Dibb-Fuller played a good ball through to Storey who lobbed the keeper and Martin headed home at the far post.

Hebburn’s third came in the 82nd minute when Suddick’s shot was saved and substitute Robson buried the ball in the bottom-left corner.

The last chance of the game came in the 88th minute when Martin’s close range effort was saved by the legs of the keeper following a good ball through by Storey.

Up next for Hebburn is West Auckland Town at home on Saturday.

Hebburn Town: Jennison, Horner, Donaghy (Lough 55), Carson, Simpson, Storey, Spence, Suddick, Richardson (Cole 61), Dibb-Fuller (Robson 71), Martin.

Unused sub: Groves.

Chester-le-Street Town: King, Scott, Lyon, Dixon (Fenwick 72), Walker, Stephenson (Whisker 72), Surrey, MacDougal, Fingleton, Mitchel, Collins.

Booked: MacDougal

Subs not used: D Hepplewhite, M Hepplewhite, Greves.

Attendance: 139