Sat. 3rd Dec 2011:- Wilton 2nds v Morpeth 3rds

Score:- 2 -2

Scorers:- Renwick, Cook

MOM:- P.Durance

Although not ultimately ending in a victory, this was possibly the Third team’s best performance of the season thus far. The game needed to be started with only 9 Morpeth players on the pitch due to transport problems en route to Teeside. With Booth starting well in a solo advanced position, the away team avoided the situation of becoming too entrenched in their own half due to sheer lack of numbers. However, the resistance was only to last so long.

Sat. 19th Nov.2011 – Stokesley 2nds v Morpeth 3rds

Score:- 1-3, Scorers:- Macdonald, King, Greenbeck, MOM:- Martyn Bott

This was a game that the Morpeth Third Team simply had to win in order to avoid concerns of continually looking downwards within their division and also to make up for the ill-disciplined showing of the previous week. Wholesale changes were in evidence throughout but the away side still managed to dominate the early exchanges with Carlyon, starting as he meant to go on, winning the vast majority of any challenges for possession in midfield. Stokesley appeared to lack confidence in going forwards and started to feel the pressure at their defensive end.

Sat. 5th Nov.2011 – Morpeth 3rds v Richmond 3rds

Score:- 3-0, Scorers:- Craggs(2), Booth

MOM:- N.Larvin

An uncertain start was made by a home side looking to bounce back from the huge disappointment of losing the previous week’s game from a winning position. The away team were also floundering at the bottom end of the table and the significance of taking all three points was self-evident.

Sat. 29th Oct.2011 – Durham City 4ths v Morpeth 3rds

Score: 2-1, Scorers:- J. Macdonald, MOM:- J. Macdonald

Morpeth started slowly in this away fixture at Maiden Castle. A combination of inaccurate passing and poor control in possession gave the early initiative to a home side struggling for points during the first part of the season. The occasional spark of encouragement was evident and though the ball found its way into the Durham goal this was only after the whistle had been blown for a clear infringement. Short corners started to be won but a lack of clinical finishing meant that no advantage was gained.

Sat. 22nd Oct.2011 – Morpeth 3rds v Stockton 5ths

Score:-0 – 0

M.O.M.:- J. Macdonald

A return to the role of ‘keeper for Slaughter from more regular umpiring duties heralded the first clean sheet of the season in the league for the Morpeth Third team. Even though stalwart central defender Bott had to be replaced at half-time due to a knee injury a fine replacement in Robin Hudson was found.

Sat.15th Oct.2011.- Medics 3rds v Morpeth 3rds

Score: 3-2

Scorers:- Bott, R. Hudson

MOM:- J.Macdonald

Ultimately, this was to prove a disappointing result and performance from a Morpeth team who never really hit top gear against a team who are likely to find themself in a position somewhere close to the bottom of the table come the end of the season. Two defensive errors in the first half were both punished by the home side and though equalisers were found on both occasions a third was to prove elusive. The first, a well taken shot from a short corner by Bott was deflected past the defender on the line by the Medics ‘keeper.

Sat. 8th Oct.2011 – Morpeth 3rds v Furness 4ths

Score:- 5-1,

Scorers:- Macdonald(3), Booth, King

M.O.M.:- D. Calder

The Morpeth Third Team needed to bounce back from two heavy defeats in their first two league games after winning an initial friendly. This was achieved and ultimately in fine style but this was not a walk in the park for the home team. Substantive changes to the side resulted in a stronger performance with this being particularly evident in midfield.

Sat. 2nd October 2011 – Gateshead 3rds v Morpeth 3rds

Score:- 9-2

Scorers:- Evans, Ireland, Bott

M.O.M. R. Ireland

The first away game of the season saw Morpeth with a one man disadvantage due to late problems with player unavailability and this was always likely to prove decisive. That said, the away team started with a remarkable degree of composure and controlled the game for the first ten minutes with the ball remaining in the opposition half. With pressure being applied, free hits started to be won outside of the Gateshead ‘D’ with these leading to a few penalty corners.

Sat. 17th September 2011 – Morpeth 3rds v Old Masonians

Score:- 2-0, Scorers:- P. Booth (2)

With the league season only a week away, it was important for Morpeth 3rds to gain some confidence in this match. Morpeth welcomed Old Masonians who had travelled from London to play a couple of games over the weekend. With a mixture of old and young players, this was certainly a different looking team from the 3rd team that finished last season.

Morpeth 3rds caught the opposition by surprise from the start and the pace of some of the youngsters exposed the Masonians defence.

Sun.27th March 2011: Morpeth 3rds v Billingham 1sts

Score:3-2

Scorers:-A.Evans(2), R.Tordoff

Morpeth 3rds welcomed the newly crowned league champions to Longhirst in this re-arranged league game. Morpeth 3rds were desperate for points to keep them in this division. Morpeth started the brightest and really pushed Billingham back. The midfield pair of Critchley and Tordoff, used their pace to control the centre of the park.