Guide Post suffer home defeat at hands of much improved FC Morpeth Barca. Struggling through the loss of three key players (Ross, George and Callum) through illness and unavailability Guide Post still managed to put in a very creditable performance particularly in the second half which they won 1 - 0.
The absence of Ross, George and Callum allowed Lee and Connor a well deserved place in the starting line up. Both lads have shown great commitment and improvement so far this season and justified their place in the line up. Liam Halliday retained his starting place in nets despite the return of Luke McCallum who has held down the keeper spot for a long time.
Morpeth started the game strongly with a number of dangerous attacks many of which brought Liam Halliday into action with some last ditch, nerve wracking fingertip saves keeping the score level. Much against the run of play Guide Post took the lead with an excellent opportunist finish from Ryan Young who was linking well with a 'hungry looking' Brad Southern up front. Guide Post were winning their fair share of possession and had a couple of good chances to add to their tally but the excellent Morpeth goalie dealt comfortably with most attacks. Andrew Robson and Adam Boyd at central defence were doing a good job as were the central midfield duo of Jack Taylor and Reece Brown. Yet again Guide Post were at their most creative and dangerous when playing through their two wide players Aaron Dunning and Reece Bosomworth. Morpeth equalised from a scrambled goal which Guide Post should have cleared. The second Morpeth goal was an unstoppable 30 yard effort from the excellent captain (who looked about 19 years old with a moustache and sideburns much better than I could grow !!) which left Liam no chance. The third goal was disappointing with Liam mishandling an innocent looking cross allowing their striker to tap in. It looked like Guide Post would have a chance in the second half to get something from the game until just before half time when the dangerous and speedy Morpeth no.9 (a post season transfer target for Guide Post !!) scored with a sweet low drive.
Lee Robinson had to retire injured at half time after hurting his back (trampolining is banned from now on !!!) with Jack Sanderson replacing him at right back. Jack had his best game to date dealing well with everything that came his way. Luke McCallum was brought into central defence allowing Adam to move to left back. Luke had a great impact and together with Andrew Robson almost totally snubbed out the Morpeth attacking threat. Guide Post dominated the second half and had a number of chances to score. Reece Bosomworth scored from the right wing with a perfect chip (definitely not a cross is what his mam and dad told me to put in the report - Q. How much had they been drinking? It was a cross !)
Andrew Robson and Reece Brown both had very good games. It was great to see Luke back in the line up and he yet again showed that apart from being a great goalkeeper he is a very strong outfield player (Basket ball should be banned in the UK !!) who made a big difference to the team.
A frustrating afternoon for the boys ended in a 4 - 2 defeat but yet again the effort and determination and team spirit was great.
