Morpeth Town ended their pre-season campaign with a convincing 7-0 win over Bedlington Terriers at Craik Park.
In their final warm-up game before travelling to Warrington Town on August 13th in their opening Pitching In NPL Premier Division game, the Highwaymen put on a show, leading by three at the break through Jack Foalle, Liam Noble, and Michael Turner, before adding four more in the second half courtesy of Trialist C, Trialist B, Dale Pearson, and Academy graduate Henry Harvey.
Town raced into a third minute lead thanks to a swirling drive from Foalle that smashed in off the underside of the bar.
A one-goal advantage doubled 10 minutes later, this time from the penalty spot. Referee David Pill pointed to the spot after Bedlington’s keeper let the ball slip out of his grasp before bringing Ben Ramsey down in the ensuing scrap for the ball. Noble then stepped up to slot home from 12 yards.
Striker Trialist C was looking good up top and hit the bar in the 20th minute with a looping header before having a shot cleared off the line. Ramsey then hit the inside of the post as Town threatened to run riot early on.
Bedlington threatened sporadically, with their number 11 denied by keeper Dan Lowson and the resulting follow-up squandered.
But it was a small respite for the visitors who were under plenty of pressure. Ryan Donaldson nodded off target and Ramsey was denied by the Bedlington keeper as Morpeth sensed a third that did arrive on the stroke of half-time.
Noble was the man to deliver on a plate for Turner to guide a header across the box and in off the far post as the Highwaymen took control of the contest.
The second half started with Bedlington having their best chance of the game on 57 minutes, but after racing through the Bedlington forward was denied expertly by Lowson.
But it would be a rare sighter of goal for Terriers, with Morpeth stepping it up a gear and scoring a fourth on 67 minutes with Trialist C tapping in at the back post. Trialist B then added to the tally on 70 minutes before Harvey went close, then again eight minutes later.
But the sixth goal would arrive six minutes later when Pearson scored from six yards prior to Harvey heading a cross in from the right into the back of the net to cap a free-scoring night for the Highwaymen.
Town are next in action when they travel to Warrington on league opening day on August 13th. Commentary on Highwaymen Radio will be available on our Mixlr page. Morpeth’s next home game is on August 16th when they welcome Guiseley. Tickets for that, and season tickets, are on sale online through our club shop.
Morpeth Town: Lowson, Robson, Trialist A, Donaldson, Henderson, Turner, Foalle, Noble, Trialist B, Trialist C, Ramsey.
Subs: Pearson, Harvey, Trialist
