Men's 2s vs Morpeth 2

Marton's 2nd team continued with a convincing win against newly promoted Morpeth 2s.

The day did not start well with skipper Richard Bertrum having to pull out on the morning with an injury resulting in a late switch of umpires with Andy Williams stepping into help the cause.

The late changes required a change in personal with Chris Tyreman promoted up from the 3s slotting into centre back with Archie Berry moving into his favoured midfield position alongside Luke Johnson and Cameron Watson.

The changes didn't seem to cause too many issues with the new look defence as they look calm and controlled in the early exchanges and it wasn't long before Cameron Watson put the home team ahead. The unfamiliar position of being ahead seem to unsettle the team and they gave the ball away for a period of time as the game narrowed to the left hand side of the resulting in a hopeful cross from the right which went past 4 defenders before falling to the young Morpeth winger at the far post who finished with a lifted shot.

This proved to be a small setup back as the team pushed on with the midfield 3 combining before Luke Johnson skipped passed a few tackles at the top of the D before finishing well into the bottom corner.

A good chat at half time before resulted an an excellent start to the 2nd half with a number of short corners eventually resulting in a typical Chris Weatherall finish from a couple of yards are Connor Watsons shot was saved and pushed onto a defenders foot, an excellent advantage from Nigel Horsby allowing play to continue for the simple finish.

A fourth goal soon followed with another contribution from the excelling Sam Shawcross providing another goal for Cameron Watson

4-1 up with 20 to go should have led to a comfortable finish but old failings came back into the play as possession was given up too easily with Morpeth finishing the game strongly with a number of short corners which eventually resulted in a 2nd goal.

The pressure was not done either as Morpeth pressed strongly down their left with Veteran Leigh Brown proving a solid right half with ample support from Stu Southworth on the right had side of the defence. On the odd occasion that Morpeth got in, goal keeper Gary Watson proved a considerable barrier to ensure the 2s completed the win.

Goals | Cameron Watson x 2, Luke Johnson, Chris Weatherall

Assists | Sam Shawcross x 3, Luke Johnson

Player of the match | Sam Shawcross

Umpires | David Dipple and Nigel Hornsby