Morpeth continued their pre-season campaign with a comfortable win over Alnwick Town on Friday night on the opening night of the St Mary’s Inn Cup, writes Sam Donovan.

A brace from Nic Bollado sealed the win after Jack Foalle opened the scoring at the start of the second half in a game played over 30-minute halves.

The first effort of the game fell to Morpeth as Will Dowling was allowed to carry the ball forward, but his rasping drive from 30 yards flashed narrowly wide of the post after four minutes.

The Highwaymen started the game well, with the Alnwick goalkeeper needing to be alert only two minutes later as a teasing cross from Ryan Wombwell was tipped over the bar.

Another chance came the way of the home side on 16 minutes as Matt Boyd smashed a volley that kissed the underside of the bar. Despite vociferous appeals, the referee said the ball had not crossed the line.

Play switched to the other end of the field and Town stopper Dan Langley, making his first appearance at Craik Park since a summer switch, needed to be alert as he got down low to smother an effort across goal.

As the half drew to a close, Jordan Hickey saw an effort clear the bar from outside the area.

In this format today, it was 30 minutes per half and it only took two minutes into the second half for Foalle to open the scoring. The ball dropped to the attacker on the half volley and he lashed one in off the bar before it nestled in the back of the net. It was his third goal in two pre-season games so far.

The lead was doubled on 48 minutes – the ball broke kindly for Bollado and he saw his effort take a big deflection off a defender, leaving the keeper rooted to the spot.

Bollado doubled his tally on 54 minutes – also moving to three goals in two games – as he turned on a sixpence and fired in off the far post.

Town progressed into the final where they will face Dunston UTS after their 2-1 win over Blyth Town in the next game on the night.

MORPETH TOWN: Langley, Wombwell, Miller, Dowling (Henderson, 30’), Buddle, King, Foalle (c) (Robson, 50’), Hickey (Chater, 50’), Bollado (Davison, 55’), Boyd, Trialist.

SUBS: