Pic: Ben Sayer’s free-kick finds the back of the net. Pic credit: George Davidson
Morpeth Town put on a vintage display to beat Gresley 5-1 at the weekend. With plenty to talk about after the game – a result which saw us remain seven points clear at the top of Evo-Stik East- we picked three things we learned from the victory:
1 Jack Foalle is lethal
Making his home debut, following a somewhat rushed debut during midweek, Jack Foalle was absolutely lethal in front of goal. The striker joined the Highwaymen from Whitley Bay at the start of the week and was introduced to his new team-mates less than two hours before kick-off at Sheffield FC on Tuesday night. No goals that night on an ultimately frustrating night for Morpeth, the forward showed a glimpse of his current form (he’s netted 17 in 15 for Bay this season) by scoring twice against Gresley. The first was top drawer, turning and unleashing an unstoppable drive into the top corner and past the despairing dive of Gresley keeper Ben Allsop. The second was a more routine close-range finish at the back post as Foalle chalked up his second goal for the club 43 minutes into the game. Although he had chances to register a home debut hat-trick – he had the ball in the back of the net but the referee’s whistle stopped play seconds before Foalle scored – the striker will be delighted with how his career at Craik Park has started.
2 Ben Sayer has 13 assists this season…13!
In Morpeth there are three certainties…death, taxes and a Ben Sayer assist. The midfielder has been in superb form at the start of this campaign, making a mockery of the step-up in division. Astonishingly, Sayer notched his 13th assist in 17 appearances this season; a stat that stands up in any division in the country. Receiving plaudits from opposition fans on a regular basis – during one game it was noted that the number four was pulling the strings – Sayer is a man in form.
3 Tom Potter is becoming a fans favourite
He only joined during the first few games of the season, also from Whitley Bay, but Potter has been a revelation on the flank for Morpeth Town. Quick, direct and enthusiastic, the midfielder can cut in with devastating effect, as highlighted by two superbly taken goals against Gresley; one a perfectly struck thunderbolt, with a stoppage time second finding the bottom corner. The chairman was generous in his praise from the touchline. Who can disagree? Potter has been superb so far.
