Match Report by Sam Donovan
Morpeth Town got their pre-season campaign underway on Friday evening with a hard-fought draw at Hebburn Sports Ground.
The game finished 2-2 with Jack Foalle opening the scoring before Cedwyn Scott grabbed a brace with a strike either side of the interval. Joe Walton continued his fantastic goalscoring record as he netted a late equaliser.
Whilst the result is what matters on the pitch, new manager Stephen Turnbull will be happy with the performance and run out that the players gave. It was a tough game with both sides employing a high pressing style and crisp, sharp passing.
The game took a while to get going with only a few half chances from Tom Potter and Purewal but the Morpeth ‘keeper was able to gather them.
It was just after the drinks break that Morpeth took the lead thanks to their first real opportunity. Shabz Mohammed pressured the ball high up the pitch and he found Ben Sayer. The mercurial midfielder picked out Jack Foalle who controlled the ball before finding the roof of the net on 27 minutes.
The lead didn’t last long though as the hosts responded. A long ball over the top allowed Cedwyn Scott to nick in and lift an effort over the ‘keeper who had came out to meet the striker.
After the interval, Louis Storey became the main talking point in the game. On 52 minutes, he bodycheked Joe Walton as he looked to race clear and the Hebburn captain was cautioned.
Five minutes later, Storey advanced up the pitch from his position in the centre of defence to glance a header wide from a Purewal cross.
Just shy of the hour and the hosts took the lead with Scott again providing a great finish to beat the Morpeth ‘keeper.
On 65 minutes, Storey was given his marching orders. The captain who had earlier been given a yellow card was cautioned again by the referee after catching Foalle. Most officials may have asked Hebburn to make a change but going by the letter of the law, the referee sent Storey off.
Joe Walton made a positive impact arriving as a second half change; he fired wide after getting clear before he levelled things up on 78 minutes. Walton had the pace to beat Danny Carson to the ball and he lifted the ball over the advancing ‘keeper to tie things up.
Overall, it was a good run out for both sides as they look to step up their pre-season preparations.
