Morpeth Town ended their pre-season campaign with a competitive 0-0 draw at Dunston UTS, writes Ross Jackson.
With both sides eyeing up an August 10th start to their respective seasons, this was the last opportunity to iron out any creases with the Highwaymen due to welcome FC United to Craik Park for the season opener.
Town named a strong line-up, with Ryan Wombwell suspended following his red card against Darlington, Josh King and Josh Robson nursing minor niggles, and Danny Barlow unavailable.
The Highwaymen did welcome Fenton John into the starting line-up, the midfielder playing for the first time since joining from Gateshead on loan.
Both sides, as was the case earlier in pre-season, started brightly, maintaining possession and looking neat and tidy on the ball.
There were chances in the first 10 minutes, mostly for Morpeth as Jack Foalle’s efforts in quick succession were blocked and the impressive Luke James had a strike saved by the hosting keeper.
Dunston’s number nine had a better opportunity than he may have realised as, after being played in behind, he chose to shoot early instead of taking it into the box. Keeper Dan Langley saved comfortably.
Langley, impressive throughout, was called into action once more on 15 minutes, saving a long-range effort from the opposition number.
But Morpeth were a menace on the front foot, and Foalle was again denied twice in quick succession, this time deflections taking his efforts inches wide.
Two minutes later and John displayed his quality with a superb through ball that split open the home defence. Nic Bollado rounded the keeper but his shot was cleared off the line.
Dunston should have been ahead by the half-hour mark but the number six dragged a shot lacking conviction wide of the far post before the number 11 blazed over after good work down the right.
Foalle had another effort blocked by the keeper in the closing stages of the half, with Dunston’s number nine seeing two glorious opportunities fall by the wayside.
The second half wasn’t quite as free-flowing as an entertaining first period, but it started in similar fashion with the Dunston number eight denied by another smart save from Langley. Seconds later, John would go up the other end but his shot was easily saved.
The best chance of the game came on 70 minutes for Morpeth, when John latched on to a loose ball. Clean through, with the keeper to beat, he delayed his effort before shooting goalward and seeing his shot cleared off the line.
There was still time in the closing stages for Will Dowling to shoot from range and Bollado to blast well off target as the final whistle brought an end to our pre-season campaign.
Town are next in action when they welcome FC United, in the first Pitching In NPL Premier Division game of the 24/25 season, to Craik Park on Saturday (3pm).
MORPETH TOWN: Langley, Evans, Henderson (c), Buddle (Boyd 74’), Steels (Miller 46’), Dowling, Hickey, John, Foalle, Bollado, James (Taylor 88’).
SUBS: Baston, Davison, Chater.
