Picture: Jeff Henderson and Iulian Petrache (right) both featured in defence at Sheffield. Pic: George Davidson
A trip to Sheffield FC, who have scored plenty and conceded roughly the same, with a clutch of players missing through injury and suspension, could have gone one of two ways.
Morpeth could have been sucked into a goal-laden, end-to-end slugfest or, as turned out to be the case, they could have controlled the game and ensured at least a share of the spoils. Here’s three things we learned from our midweek trip to Yorkshire:
When was the last time we drew 0-0?
The last time both sides drew a blank in a Morpeth Town match was 3,483 games ago…or at least it feels like that. Known for their goalscoring exploits, it’s rare the Highwaymen don’t find the net. But, on this occasion, they couldn’t find a way through stubborn Sheffield defending as both sides settled for a point. This is the least likely score-line when considering the second highest scoring side in Evo-Stik East (Morpeth, 23) faced the third highest scoring (Sheffield, 22).
Back to bossing it defensively.
After the seven-goal thriller against Brighouse on Saturday, Morpeth, fresh from conceding four (a rarity this season), returned to their formidable selves to keep another clean-sheet. Incredibly, that’s their seventh in all competitions this season and their fifth in seven games most recently. They’ve conceded just one goal in 540 minutes of league football. With only six shipped all campaign, the Highwaymen’s defence looks in fine form.
Jack’s here to run riot up front.
In a bit of a whirlwind, Jack Faolle signed and then duly started at Sheffield shortly after completing his switch from Whitley Bay. His debut may have ended scoreless, but he’s got 17 goals in 15 games for Whitley Bay this season and broke a club record by scoring in 10 consecutive games at the start of the season. He must have caught the eye at the start of pre-season, when he netted against Morpeth during a big win for the Highwaymen. After continuing his run of goals into the Northern League season, Town moved quickly to secure his services following the departure of Adam Burnicle to West Auckland Town. Expect goals.
