Match Report: Berwick Rangers 0 – 4 Morpeth Town (Pre-season)

Having triumphed against Newcastle Blue Star on Thursday evening, this was a quick turnaround for the side as they looked to keep up the momentum that they have built up during pre-season so far.

It was a slow start to proceedings with chances at a premium before Nic Bollado opened the scoring in the 22nd minute. A set-piece was swung into the area and Bollado saw his initial effort saved as the ‘keeper tipped it onto the post. However, the striker was more alert than the hosts as he hooked home the loose ball from prone on the floor to register his fifth goal of pre-season.

The hosts responded and had a good chance on 25 minutes to level the scoring. Jonny Devers whipped an effort across goal that drifted wide of the far post.

The Highwaymen took back the initiative and and had the ball in the back of the net again on 27 minutes but Sam Davison was denied by the offside flag.

Davison had another chance 10 minutes later but this time he saw his chance go flying over the bar. A great counter attack saw play switch between Bollado and Matty Griggs with the latter crossing for Davison.

Five minutes before the interval, Rhys Evans delivered a great ball into the area which Davison met on the volley but he saw it rebound off the bar.

After 43 minutes, Davison went close again but was denied once more. This time, he curled and effort that looked destined for the top corner but it was headed off the line.

Town freshened things up at the interval as Jack Foalle and Jordan Hickey replaced Bollado and Oscar Baston.

It took only 4 minutes of the second half for the lead to be doubled as Jeff Henderson was on hand to bundle the ball home from a yard out following a corner that caused chaos in the Berwick box.

Foalle was making a difference down the right and his pace saw him get away from his marker and his cutback to Matty Boyd who saw his first time effort well saved by the ‘keeper.

The Highwaymen were able to extend their lead on 75 minutes as Evans was once again provider as his low ball to the back post was converted by Foalle who made it 3-0.

It was 4-0 on 83 minutes as Luke James was pulled back in the penalty area and despite it being a friendly, the referee reached for the red card and dismissed the Berwick defender. Boyd stepped up and rolled home the penalty to seal a confident win for Morpeth.

MORPETH TOWN: Langley, Robson, Henderson, Davison (James, 71′), Bollado (Foalle, 46′), Steels (Dowling, 62′), Evans, Wombwell, Boyd (c), Baston (Hickey, 46′), Griggs.