Morpeth Town battled gamely before falling to a 5-1 defeat at home to National League Hartlepool United in our final pre-season outing.
Hartlepool got off to a flier, scoring the opener on nine minutes through their number 16, before doubling their lead through their number just before the hour mark. With 12 minutes to go, their number six headed before Liam Noble netted a consolation against his former club. There was still for two further goals – from number three and seven – as Pools pulled clear.
Craik Park hosted its first game in front of supporters since March, pre-pandemic lockdown, only thanks to a huge effort from those behind the scenes to promote social distancing.
A one-way system, digital ticketing and track and trace were all in operation as the club showed their commitment to having fans in attendance.
The game itself was an entertaining one as both sides were bright and keen to press high. Jack Foalle was the first to set his sights on goal three minutes in, but his inventive chip for the back post floated harmlessly wide.
However, it would be Pools who struck first in the ninth minute. As Town played it across the back-line, Michael Turner had his pocket picked by the number 16, who had a cool head to slot into the bottom when clean through.
It didn’t change the ebb and flow of the game, with Morpeth gaining a foothold and threatening themselves, Liam Noble curling a free-kick wide of the near post on 19 minutes, before Carl Finnigan battered the post after the ball deflected off the impressive Foalle and into his path 16 yards out two minutes later.
Hartlepool were a threat with their midfield nimble and agile and could have scored a second through their number 11, but his low shot was saved comfortably by Dan Lowson in the Highwaymen goal.
It would be the final chance of an even first half, with Morpeth perhaps feeling aggrieved not to be level, with Hartlepool’s number 21 particularly impressive at right-back.
The visitors to Craik Park would step it up a gear in the second half, with their number nine slotting home a 59th minute low effort to make it 2-0, before their number six expertly guided a header into the back of the net, from number seven’s cross, at the near post in the 78th minute.
Noble would reduce the deficit with a neat low finish a minute later, however Pools would finish strongly, scoring twice after the 90-minute mark through their number three and number seven, the latter scoring an outstanding rising drive.
It was a good workout for both sides, with the Highwaymen set to start their league campaign next Saturday at home to Grantham Town. Buy your tickets from the club online shop now.
MORPETH TOWN: Lowson; Forster, Williams, Hodgson, J.Henderson, Turner, Foalle, Sayer, Finnigan, Noble, Johnson.
HARTLEPOOL UNITED: Killip, Trialist A, Trialist B, Cunningham, Trialist C, Crawford, Holohan, Trialist D, Ofosu, Bloomfield, Oates.
