Sat. 3rd Dec.2011 – Tynedale 2nds v Morpeth 4ths
Score:- 6-4
Scorers:- Bott, Foster(2), Mockett
Morpeth 4ths travelled to Hexham to face a strong Tynedale side. The opening 10 minutes were frantic and Morpeth were penned back in their own half. Debutant goalkeeper Lightley, mad some outstanding saves to keep Morpeth in the game and gave him some confidence.
As the game settled, Morpeth began to break down Tynedale and enjoy some success, their first chance came when Ian Foster found himself at the top of the D, with an oncoming goalkeeper he calmly nutmegged him and pushed the ball goalwards. The ball hit a Tynedale foot near the line and the umpire remarkably gave Tynedale a 16 yard hit. This was not the last controversial decision the umpire was to make.
The game was now end to end, but neither team were able to get the first goal before half time.
Nothing changed in the 2nd half with both teams pressing, good saves and missed chances were beginning to frustrate both sides. The deadlock was broken by Tynedale, punishing a poor passage of play by Morpeth.
Undeterred, Morpeth pressed on and M. Bott was denied by two glorious saves from the opposition’s keeper. Morpeth were not to be denied and from a short corner, Ian Foster smashed home a first time shot to level the scores.
This rattled Tynedale and from another quick attack, J.Macdonald cut inside from the wing and released Ian Foster inside the D only for his shot to rebound off the post. However, the ever reliable M.Bott was there to sweep the ball home and give the away side the lead.
For some reason, Morpeth then decided to lose confidence and it was with no suprise that Tynedale equalised. Shellshocked, Morpeth lost all shape and within 3 minutes found themselves down by another two goals. This did spring Morpeth into action and a third followed when Ian Foster pulled the trigger again.
This time it was Tynedale who looked nervous and Morpeth were pressing them hard. It was then the umpire made his second controversial decision, a Tynedale shot hit a Morpeth foot inside the D and even with the Goalkeeper on his line and several other defenders present he awarded a penalty flick. 6-3 to Tynedale.
The game was not finished and still Morpeth pushed and were rewarded with another goal when Mockett on his second debut for the club smashed home. Tynedale were now on the back and they were desperately hanging on at the final whistle.
