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. It was no less that Morpeth deserved when a follow up to one of the latter resulted in a shot from Ireland squeezing inside the left hand post with Larvin providing ample distraction to the home ‘keeper. Unfortunately, this was to be the one & only time when the team based at Longhirst were to hold the advantage. Within a few minutes of this opener Gateshead had their equaliser with a good save from Glyn Evans falling fortuitously to a forward to finish easily and within double quick time a raid down the right and a smart pull back lead to another simple finish.
Macdonald & Renwick continued to combine well for Morpeth and it was no real surprise when Alan Evans forced in from another short corner to level the match with 20 minutes gone. Yet again Gateshead looked to rally and only now did they start to take real advantage of the extra man. Morpeth became stretched both in midfield & defence and more chances were made against them. Third & fourth goals were scored with one an individual effort and the other the result of a central defensive lapse. It was 5 – 2 prior to the break when an attacker was not closed down allowing a free shot that hit its target.
The second half became very open in the unusually warm conditions and more of an end-to-end game ensued. The home side were to benefit from the increasing tiredness of their opposition and though held for periods a couple of remarkably composed finishes for young Gateshead players put the match out of reach. Callum Hinshaw continued to force the play despite what at one point looked to be a game-ending injury and the Northumberland side never gave up. A penalty flick was won when Evans was completely up-ended by the Gateshead keeper and Bott converted this assuredly. Another two goals put the icing on the cake with Gateshead’s midfield now dominant.
Though a disappointing scoreline there is much to build upon for the Morpeth team and a more disciplined performance will almost certainly earn greater rewards in the weeks to come.
