On another unusually warm autumn afternoon, Morpeth Ladies finally started to demonstrate the attacking potential they’ve threatened to show over the past couple of seasons.

Whilst they didn’t completely dominate the match in quite the way the score line suggests, the home side clinically finished off several of the clear-cut chances they crafted. In contrast, the students seemed almost devoid of a cutting edge when they got into the circle.

The match started brightly with the play flowing from end to end. However, the Pattison-Bowler combination continued their form from last week to combine well down the right flank to create the first genuine opportunity. This time the outlet was O’Brien who sharply drilled the ball across the face of goal for Dixon to deflect the ball into the roof of the net.

The home defence braced itself for the students to respond but whilst the University had plenty possession their forwards were too isolated in wide positions making it easy for Hindmarch and Watkins to pick them off.

Morpeth started to pick the pace of the game up with forwards Dixon and Moore getting plenty opportunity to drive through into threatening situations. Eventually, Moore made one of her trademark runs – with the rest of the team yelling at her to pass the ball to her unmarked team mate, the Irish wizard coolly took the ball round two defenders before slipping the ball under the flailing keeper. A little bit over elaborate but nevertheless effective!

Half time brought a welcome drinks break with captain Cockburn keen to impress upon the team the need to maintain the pressure as the match was not yet won.

Indeed the University started the second half much the stronger and started to box Morpeth into their own 25-yard area. The home defence held firm with Simpson and Henderson in particular demonstrating their cool in keeping possession in tight defensive positions.

An injury to one of the students seemed to break the tension and allowed Morpeth to regroup. Team manager Glass took the opportunity to give Cockburn a breather who had run herself ragged chasing down the ball and dominating the centre midfield. Addy came onto make her home debut slotting comfortably in at right half.

The impact was immediate. Grant put Moore through one-on-one with the keeper. The young forward didn’t panic and cleverly sold the keeper a dummy, which left her stranded on the ground before squaring the ball for Dixon to happily tap in.

To their credit, the visitors refused to admit defeat and continued to push for a goal that would give them some hope as we entered the final quarter of the match. Rose was called into action once or twice and Hindmarch did find herself with the ball on her own goal line only to clear it comfortably away.

However, it was Moore who was to have the last laugh. This time she came down the left and again comfortably got the better of the keeper; finishing off the move with a crisp reverse stick shot from a tight angle.

This proved to be the last incident of the match in what was a solid display that gives Morpeth plenty of confidence for some of the tougher matches that await – none more so than against local rivals Newcastle next week.

Team list: Janice Rose (GK), Karen Hindmarch, Jenny Pattison, Lyn Watkins, Marian Simpson, Nikki Bowler, Emma Cockburn (capt), Sarah Henderson, Lucy Dixon, Lindsey Moore, Charlotte O’Brien, Fiona Grant, and Nikki Addy

Man of the Match – Lindsey Moore

Match sponsored by Kit and Sticks