Sunday 2nd December 2007 – Morpeth Ladies II – Newcastle University I

Following Morpeth Ladies success against Newcastle III in the previous round of the Northumberland Cup, Morpeth faced the tougher competition of Newcastle University I. Despite the University being a league higher than Morpeth, they had confidence on their side and started the game with a positive attitude.

The game started at a fast pace and the University looked very strong in possession of the ball. Morpeth battled hard to keep up with the pace, however were left vulnerable in the circle on a couple of occasions early in the first half. It was almost inevitable that the University took the lead early into the game. To Morpeth’s credit this did not dampen their spirits and they continued to work hard to take the possession from the University.

Morpeth’s hard work and pressure was starting to pay off as the University were starting to make mistakes and were allowing Morpeth more possession. Morpeth seized the chance to level the score when awarded a penalty corner. The ball was stopped at the top of the circle by Julie Fenwick, who slipped it left for Beverley Glass to strike. The University gave her far too much respect, allowing her time to control the ball and line up her shot, which rebounded off the keepers pads into the back of the goal. This really lifted the spirits of the home side and they restarted the game with even more confidence and determination.

The game became more evenly matched with both sides creating good attacking breaks. Morpeth were defending well in the circle, allowing the University little room to work and create goal scoring opportunities. The home side did not deserve to concede another goal, however did when a powerful cross was met with a deflection leaving keeper Janice Rose the impossible task of saving the goal. This was disheartening for Morpeth as it had gone against the current run of play.

Despite Morpeth’s disappointment at conceding another goal, they were still able to put the University under pressure. Laura Heaton was creating problems for the away team on the right, breaking through the midfield and setting the ball up for the forwards. Beverley Glass was able to pick up the ball from one of these attacking runs and strike it into the circle across the face of the goal. It looked to be a wasted chance, until Carrie MacDonald came out of nowhere to get a reverse stick on the ball and put it past the keeper, to the elation of the home side. The first half finished all even at 2 – 2.

The second half was evenly matched, with both teams looking strong, but neither really looking like scoring. The Morpeth defence, led by the experience of Gillian Gordon, were all over the University and gave them very little to work with. Morpeth had their share of possession, but again were struggling to break through the University defence. This was the story for the majority of the second half, until a penalty corner was awarded in the Universities favour a few minutes from the end. Under pressure Morpeth were able to clear the ball out of danger successfully to keep the score even at the full time whistle.

The game went into extra-time golden goal and the run of play remained the same with possession reasonably equal, and both teams defending the circle very closely. The University were given another chance in the second period of extra-time through another penalty corner. Again Morpeth defended excellently to keep the ball out of the goal and extra-time finished all even, resulting in the game being decided by penalty flicks.

Morpeth won the toss and chose to start the proceedings. Julie Fenwick stepped up to the take the first flick. She struck it perfectly into the left hand side of the goal and to everyone’s surprise the keeper was able to get her stick to it to keep it out. The University scored their first flick to take them into the lead. Marian Simpson was next in line for Morpeth and successfully converted into the right hand corner, learning from Julie’s missed attempt. Janice Rose pulled off a good save to keep the score even at the end of the second round. Angela Payne was the third player for Morpeth to take a flick. Her shot went just wide of the left hand post, however was given a second chance as the keeper had moved too soon and the flick was called to be retaken. She did not make the same mistake twice and was able to convert her second attempt. Janice Rose pulled off another excellent save to keep the home side in the lead. The forth round saw Beverley Glass have her attempt saved and the University missed theirs to keep the score 2-1 in Morpeth’s favour. All pressure was on Allison Haliday for the final flick, which beat the keeper, however got the slightest touch on the right hand post causing it to rebound out. The University were successful in converting their last attempt to draw the score all even for the third time in the game.

It was then to be decided on sudden death penalty flicks and it was back to Julie Fenwick to see if her second attempt could be successful. Seeing the keeper move she was able to redirect the ball into the space to give Morpeth the advantage. University also scored keeping the pressure on. Marian Simpson stepped up to take her second flick and was able to put the ball into the same spot as her first attempt to retake the lead. The pressure was too much for the University as their player slipped the wall wide of the post to end an agonisingly tense game 4-3 to Morpeth on penalty flicks.

Morpeth demonstrated outstanding effort and determination to come from behind and proceed through to the semi finals of the competition. Janice Rose was awarded player of the match for her excellent saves and for keeping Morpeth in the game.