HEXHAM returned to winning ways with a convincing home victory over Gosforth Bohemians on Saturday.

A goal from Kurtis Harvey and a brace for Dylan Mabunu secured the three points for the hosts, who moved up to sixth place in Northern Alliance Division One.

But it wasn’t all plain sailing for the Green and Whites, who had to change into their yellow away shirts when it emerged Gosforth had also brought green jerseys.

Hexham also had to ring the changes, with half a dozen first team players absent due to injury. Manager Martin Lowes had to reshuffle his pack, with Callum Duncan filling a void in the centre of defence.

Hexham made the breakthrough after 24 minutes, when Sam Mannion cleverly flicked the ball over the head of a Gosforth defender for Harvey to chase, and the latter coolly finished, placing a side-footed volley to the left of the keeper.

On 51 minutes, the livewire Mabunu broke away down the left, and took on the full-back, before firing a shot which was parried by the Bohemians’ keeper. The rebound fell to Harvey, who was on hand to tap the ball into the net from six yards.

The two-goal advantage saw Hexham grow in confidence, and shortly afterwards, Lewis Loughhead, enjoying a commanding performance in midfield, played a one-two with Owen Murtough. The latter played a through ball for Mabunu to chase, and the fired the ball high into the net to complete the scoring.

“I was over the moon with the lads,” said Lowes. “It wasn’t a straightforward 3-0. Gosforth were better than that, but we never stopped running and took our chances well.”