After a promising first 45 minutes, Morpeth were made to pay for missed chances as Gateshead roared back to claim a 4-1 victory at the Gateshead International Stadium.
Joe Walton got Morpeth up and running with a well-taken opener on 41 minutes but Gateshead showed greater intent in the second period and equalised two minutes in through JJ O’Donnell. Luke Armstrong completed the turnaround in the home side’s fortunes as they took the lead for the first time in the 54th minute. Fraser Kerr and Scott Boden then added gloss to the score-line as the National League side pulled clear.
Morpeth more than held their own in the first half, with Walton’s air-shot at the back post a glorious chance for The Highwaymen in the opening 10 minutes. Although a goalmouth scramble in the Town penalty box minutes later was just about cleared, the pattern of the game saw two evenly matched teams seeking an opener.
The Highwaymen were creating the more clear-cut opportunities and should have taken the lead on 21 minutes, but Liam Henderson lashed a shot from the edge of the box well over following a clever cut-back from David Carson.
Morpeth wouldn’t be denied on 41 minutes as Carson wriggled out of a challenge before finding Henderson down the right. He played a perfectly weighted through ball for Walton to race on to and round the Heed keeper before slotting into an empty net.
Clearly getting a rocket from boss Steve Watson at half-time, Gateshead came out with a greater purpose in the second half, restoring parity two minutes in courtesy of O’Donnell, who turned Robbie Tinkler’s ball from the right into the back of the net.
Their resurgence continued as they took the lead on 54 minutes with Armstrong’s close-range flick nudging Gateshead in front. Two became three in the 62nd minute as Heed put their stamp on proceedings, Kerr rising highest to nod home a corner from the left.
Morpeth continued to plug away in search of a second goal and came mightily close in the 64th minute, but, following intricate play between Ben Sayer and Sean Taylor, the latter’s cross was flicked over by Henderson from close range.
They would be made to pay for their profligacy as Boden struck a fourth for the hosts on 69 minutes, latching on to a loose ball in the six-yard box, after a defensive mix-up between Chris McDonald and Dan Lowson, to scramble home from close in. As the game meandered to a predictable conclusion, Morpeth fans were given a first sight of new signing Adam Burnicle, who came off the bench to make his debut in the closing stages.
Morpeth are next in action on Saturday when they journey to Dunston UTS (3pm) in our latest pre-season friendly of the campaign.
GATESHEAD: Foden, Tinkler, O’Donnell, Hunter, Kerr, Mellish, Oliver, McManus, Armstrong, Boden, Maloney.
SUBS: Devitt, Salkeld, Elliott, Olley, White, Forbes, Bell.
GOALS: JJ O’Donnell (47), Armstrong (54), Kerr (62), Boden (69)
MORPETH TOWN: Lowson, Forster, Reid, Hodgson, McDonald; Sayer, Phillips, David Carson; Walton, Henderson, Taylor.
SUBS: Petrache, Farrier, Graydon, Woodhead, Burnicle.
GOALS: Walton (41)
ATT: 269
