Media team sponsored by Northumbria Print
A goal in each half inflicted a 2-0 defeat on Morpeth Town, at the hands of National League South side Hemel Hempstead.
Playing our fifth pre-season game at Alnwick Town’s St James Park, Morpeth welcomed the Tudors to Northumberland and helped contribute to a thoroughly competitive encounter despite nine players being unavailable.
Boasting players including Samir Carruthers – he of MK Dons and Sheffield United fame – the visitors would prove a high-quality opponent as Morpeth stepped up preparations for the big 14th August kick-off in the NPL Premier Division.
What unfolded, in the first 45 minutes certainly, was an even contest that saw both sides match each other for effort and endeavour, without causing either stopper too many problems.
Ryan Donaldson flashed a second minute effort well wide of the far post, before Hemel’s number 10 did similar eight minutes later.
Jack Foalle let a long ball drop over his shoulder before bobbling an effort into the keeper’s grasp on 31 minutes as Morpeth matched Hemel stride for stride, until a moment of quality on the stroke of half-time gave the visitors the lead at the break.
James Dobson was the man to set up JJ Lacey to head home, after his inch perfect delivery from the right found his team-mate free in the area.
The Highwaymen may have felt slightly aggrieved to go in behind on a sweltering day in Northumberland, but the action would intensify in the second half with Donaldson skewing one wide before Hemel’s number 7 struck the woodwork with a free-kick prior to a chipped cross hitting the bar as the visitors turned the screw.
With a competitive affair threatening to boil over, the next chance would fall the way of Morpeth, but Jeff Henderson’s stretching header at the back post on 68 minutes was headed down and off target.
Five minutes later and Hemel would punish that profligacy as Alfie Cerulli slotted home across the trialist keeper after a bundled volley fell invitingly, and fortunately, into his path in the box.
It would end the game as a contest, with the visitors finishing as deserved winners. Morpeth Town would like to wish Hemel Hempstead all the best for the new season.
Next up for the Highwaymen is a trip to Newcastle Blue Star on 31st July.
MORPETH TOWN: Trialist, Trialist, Turner, Sayer, J.Henderson, Reid, Foalle, Noble, Forster, Donaldson, Trialist.
SUBS: Trialist x5, Turnbull
