PICTURE: George Davidson
Morpeth Town completed their pre-season schedule with a competitive work out at a sun-drenched AFC Killingworth.
With temperatures rising throughout the contest, the Highwaymen squad were certainly put through their paces as they gained valuable extra playing time ahead of the season curtain raiser on August 11th at Goole, in the FA Cup.
Town hit the front in the sixth minute when Adam Burnicle’s acrobatic volley, following David Carson’s blocked effort, found the back of the net. But that lead would last just 12 minutes as the hosts found a leveller courtesy of a goalkeeping error when trying to play his way out of trouble. Despite holding the majority of possession throughout the contest, Morpeth didn’t hit the front again until the 84th minute when Sean Taylor took a cross-field ball in his stride before lashing home. However, there was still time for Killingworth to draw level as a header rebounded off the bar and hit Morpeth’s trialist keeper before trundling into the back of the net.
Although the score-line meant little, this was a useful exercise as Ben Sayer and Jordan Fry gained valuable minutes on the pitch, while David Carson continued to impress. Keith Graydon’s second half display showcased his undoubted passing array, with Wayne Phillips and Chris Reid looking assured on the ball.
Town had the ball for long spells during this encounter and struck early through Burnicle. The striker, netting his second of pre-season, had the presence of mind to thump home a bouncing ball after Carson’s effort seconds earlier had been deflected clear. In truth, the forward should have doubled his tally seconds later but his latest strike was straight at the keeper.
Taylor narrowly drilled wide seconds later as Morpeth continued to press but they would suffer a setback on 18 minutes when the trialist keeper, when attempting to play the ball to Reid, found only an opposition player who then duly tucked his opportunity into the net.
On 36 minutes, Town came as close as they could to netting a second goal, Taylor expertly curling a 25-yard free-kick against the bar. Joe Walton also went close as Morpeth went in at the interval level.
Four changes were made at the break as more Town players sought to shake off any pre-season rustiness. But, in similar style to the first half, Morpeth continued to press with Burnicle dragging a shot wide prior to Graydon’s low drive being deflected inches wide. Carson and Burnicle then warmed the palms of the hosts’ stopper either side of the hour mark as Town dominated without scoring a crucial second.
That was until the 84th minute when Taylor scored his first of pre-season. The midfielder collected a splendid 40-yard cross-field ball with his usual graceful first touch before cutting inside and drilling a low effort into the bottom corner.
It was a moment of quality which was worthy of winning any game, but not on this occasion as the hosts rallied in stoppage time, a header somehow finding its way into the back of the net via the back and a deflection off the trialist keeper.
Town can now turn their attentions to the FA Cup, where they journey to Goole on August 11th for a much anticipated clash to open the campaign. Details of the supporters bus will follow on Twitter and Facebook. Make sure to find the latest information there.
MORPETH TOWN: Trialist A; Forster, Henderson, Reid, McDonald; Sayer, Carson, Fry, Taylor, Burnicle, Walton.
SUBS: Graydon, Turner, Hodgson, Phillips, Petrache.
GOALS: Burnicle (6), Taylor (84)
