Mens 3rds vs Whitley Bay and Tynemouth 3s

As summer draws to a close, the hockey season begins, and Morpeth hosted Whitley Bay and Tynemouth in a spirited preseason friendly. Both teams agreed to a format of four quarters, allowing ample time for players to find their rhythm on the pitch.

The match kicked off with both sides displaying fluid, attacking hockey. Morpeth struck first, with the effervescent Max showcasing his finishing prowess. A brilliant piece of open play saw him strike hard and low into the corner, leaving the Whitley Bay keeper stranded. The early goal set the tone, with Morpeth leading 1-0.

Whitley Bay, however, were not to be outdone. As the second quarter drew to a close, they capitalized on a misplaced pass from Critchley, which was eagerly intercepted by their striker. Thirtle in goal was left with no chance as the equalizer was slotted home, bringing the score to 1-1 just as the half-time whistle blew.

During the break, Andy delivered an inspiring team talk, confidently asserting, "We will win this, as long as we don't pass to the opposition strikers." Little did he know that his words would soon be put to the test.

As the second half commenced, Critchley, with Andy's pep talk fresh in his mind, attempted to fire an accurate, pacey pass out from the back. Unfortunately, it landed squarely at the feet of the opposition striker, who made no mistake in putting Whitley Bay ahead 2-1.

Morpeth, however, responded swiftly. The forwards, undeterred by the setback, launched a series of skillful attacks on the opposition’s defense, eventually winning a short corner. Max, once again proving his worth, expertly dispatched the set piece to level the score at 2-2.

Buoyed by the equalizer, Morpeth's confidence surged. The younger players began to grow into the game, while the experienced members expertly controlled the pace. Their pressure soon paid off, as they won another short corner. This time, Laude was the quickest to react, flicking home a loose ball to regain Morpeth's lead at 3-2.

With just one quarter remaining, Whitley Bay threw caution to the wind, pushing forward in numbers to try and salvage a result. However, Morpeth's defense stood firm, with special mention to Powell and O'Halloran, who were exceptional in thwarting Whitley Bay’s advances. Rob Powell made numerous crucial tackles and interceptions, while "Lumberjack" O'Halloran, in defiance of his nickname, was solid without needing his signature chop.

As Whitley Bay pressed forward, gaps began to appear in their defense, which Morpeth’s midfield, led by the creative Yuri in his new attacking role, exploited with ease. A series of cleverly worked short corners put Whitley Bay under intense pressure, and eventually, they conceded a penalty flick. Captain Andy stepped up and coolly converted to make it 4-2, effectively sealing the victory for Morpeth.

In the dying minutes, Morpeth focused on seeing out the game, which they managed with composure. It was an excellent team performance, with contributions from both young and seasoned players. Special mention goes to Stu Hamilton for an impressive showing in his first game back.

The Champagne Moment of the match was awarded to Marc Stewart for his incredible triple save at 2-2, a crucial moment that kept the game level. Man of the Match went to Dean Critchley for his crucial tackles and interceptions at the back, despite his earlier errors. For his pinpoint passing to the opposition strikers, Critchley also earned the D.O.D award, highlighting a match full of highs and lows for the Morpeth defender.

Big thank you to WBTHC for a fantastic game, played in great spirits with an even bigger thank you to Lyn Watkins and Tony Cook for umpiring today! 

Final Score: Morpeth 4, Whitley Bay and Tynemouth 2.