Two first half goals were enough to see Morpeth Town past Stockton Town at Craik Park in our latest pre-season outing.
With the campaign starting in just 14 days, preparations went up a level for a squad restricted by injury and unavailability.
Michael Turner and Callum Morris were both side-lined through injury, with Jeff Henderson celebrating the addition of a second child to his family and Josh King carrying a knock.
It made for a different looking defence, with Ben Ramsey and Josh Robson either side of Chris Reid and Ryan Donaldson at the heart of the back four.
But the disruption made little difference as the Highwaymen, despite Mikey Roberts’ scuffed effort that flew past the post, took the lead on nine minutes through Connor Thomson.
The move started with Dale Pearson stepping infield before laying it in behind the Stockton defence for the onrushing Thomson, who needed no second invitation to slot past keeper Callum Roberts for his third goal of pre-season.
A looping 22nd minute effort deflected on to the roof of Morpeth’s net as Stockton, bright and keen to get on the front foot, threatened, with Dan Lowson forced into a fine save after an in-swinging delivery found its way to the far post before being hit goalward.
Liam Cooke shot from distance soon after, which Lowson pushed over the top, but Morpeth looked a danger going forward themselves and soon tested Roberts, Pearson forcing a low save before sending the rising rebound over the bar.
But, incisive and economical with their chances, the Highwaymen scored again just before half-time through Jack Foalle.
It all started with a block by Reid at the near post in his own box. The defender, impressive throughout, strode out of defence before launching an inviting ball over the visiting defence which Foalle latched on to, raced clear and confidently slotted into the bottom corner.
The second half was a lower key affair, with a tame penalty shout from Stockton being ignored by referee David Pill, before Pearson saw a deflected drive go inches past the post.
The impressive Thomson fired a fierce drive that needed two strong hands from Roberts, with an in-swinging Stockton corner hitting the bar as the game meandered to a predictable conclusion.
Morpeth are next in action when they host Bedlington Terriers on Friday night (7.30pm) in our last pre-season game before the start of the season. Tickets are available on the gate, costing £6 adults, £4 concessions, £2 adults (cash only).
Morpeth Town: Lowson, Robson, Ramsey, Sayer, Donaldson (c), Reid, Foalle, Noble, Pearson, Geliher, Thomson.
Subs: Harvey, Trialist.
