A HAT-TRICK from Jack Barker was not enough for Haltwhistle Jubilee as they bowed out of the Team Valley Carpets Amateur Cup on Saturday.

They went down 4-3 after extra time to a strong Blyth FC side in a thrilling encounter, which could have gone either way. The Northern Alliance newcomers were 2-0 down at half time on a sun-drenched Saturday afternoon at the Burn, before battling their way back to 2-2 with late Barker goals in the 89th and 90th minutes.

The Jubes went behind again in extra time, before Barker found the net again with a timely equaliser.

In the second half of extra time, Haltwhistle almost took the lead, but the visiting keeper somehow tipped Greg Irwin’s powerful volley from seven yards over the crossbar.

Then Blyth scored a fourth goal after a breakaway move. The ball deflected off a home player and found its way into the bottom corner, to make it 4-3.

Manager Cameron Bell said: “The ball found the only part of the goal which our keeper Kieran MacMillan couldn’t reach. It was just one of those things.”

Bell said the football was overshadowed by the death of club clairman Malcolm Hind, over the weekend.

“I was told the news before kick-off, but it was too late to cancel the game, and we decided not to tell the players until after the match. There were tears in the dressing room because Malcolm knew the players well. He did a lot for the club, and absolutely loved being involved. We have all lost a friend and Malcolm will be greatly missed.

“I am sure Jack will dedicate his hat-trick to Malcolm, and we’ll be doing everything we can to be successful on the pitch in his memory.”