Mens 1sts vs Stockton 2

The 1s travelled to fellow relegated side Stockton 2s to seek a fast start to the new season and begin a campaign looking for promotion back to Div 1.

Morpeth came out firing in the first 15, asking serious questions of the resilient Stockton defence, but couldn't capitalize on numerous opportunities from penalty corners and open play. A newly formed midfield consisting of Carmichael, Jones and Morris, ran the show with James making great advances on the right.

Against the run of play Stockton took the lead through a well executed short corner, before Kendall's crash ball found Farquhar in acres of space - Farquhar with acalm and collected solo run was finished with a lovely reverse shot on the left to bring the sides into the break at 1-1.

An evenly matched scoreline then went one way. Morpeth proceeded to collapse for the first 10 minutes, failing to build upon a positive driven first half and conceded 3 goals in quick succession from their own errors. A mountain to climb with 25 minutes on the clock.

Stockton grew in confidence and built play through some fantastic aerials that the Peth didn't handle and conceded again, to leave the score at 5-1 with 10 minutes to play. The kitchen sink was thrown and suddenly Morpeth got themselves back on top, pressuring Stockton into some difficult positions through Tenwick and Mattress down the left. Hinshaw finally capitalizing through a short corner drag flick. Macdonald quickly backed that up with a great finish from a scramble position to end the game at 5-3.

So many positives for a newly formed 1s squad who will build and look to right their own mistakes next week against Durham City 2s.