Guide Post fought hard and showed great character during this match coming from two goals down to bring the score back to 3-3 midway through the second half. Struggling due to the absence of three key players - Adam Boyd, Ryan Young and Jack Taylor, the team can be proud of the display they put in against a decent Morpeth side.
Liam Halliday started in goal for the first time as Luke McCallum moved out to put in a very solid display at centre - half which was capped with an excellently taken long range goal in the second half to level the scores at 3-3.
Morpeth started strongly and dominated the first 25 minutes creating some excellent overlapping play with a lot of dangerous crosses put into GuidePost's box. They scored from two neatly taken goals the second being a header from a corner where the striker was left unchallenged.
Liam Halliday making his full debut pulled off some great saves and helped keep the constant threat posed by Morpeths excellent team play at bay. The tide turned late in the second half with GuidePost visibly rising to the challenge - it was noticeable that all of a sudden GuidePost were winning the 50/50 tackles and picking up the 'second ball' more regularly. They were rewarded with an excellent strike from the hard working centre forward Brad Southern. Brad clearly enjoyed getting off the mark for the season and pulled off the best goal scoring celebration of the season so far - a flying slide on two knees (good job the ground is still soft !!!). With only one available substitute there was little opportunity to bring on fresh legs especially with a couple of players receiving knocks which forced changes.
Jack Sanderson put in his best performance of the season so far playing at both left and right full back and making some good tackles and clearances. Jack, Lee and Connor all put in good displays covering the two full back positions.
Morpeth extended their lead early in the second half but again Guide Post responded well. Brad, visibly more confident after his goal sprinted onto a through ball and with a deft flick under lots of pressure steered the ball into the bottom corner to make it 3 - 2.
GuidePost now seemed to take control of the game and mounted a series of attacks - Reece Brown coming close with a well timed header just going over the bar. Luke McCallum then capped a great display by picking up a clearance mid way in the Morpeth half which he stroked into the left hand corner of the net from 25 yards. The game was there for the taking but Morpeth responded well and their impressive captain struck a fearsome shot from outside the box giving Liam no hope. The game was still finely balanced until the last 5 minutes when a hopeful high ball coming down out of the sun was mishandled by Liam leaving Morpeth a tap in.
The game ended 5 - 3 but GuidePost can take hope from their performance especially without three of their best players on the park. Brad was awarded man of the match for his two goals but all the boys had put in a lot of effort. Liam Halliday was a close second for man of the match and should take confidence from this performance. Other players not mentioned above but who all worked hard were Callum, Reece Bosomworth, Aaron and Andrew Robson.
PS. Congratulations to John Brown (and Tracey) on the birth of their daughter Chloe (7lbs 9oz) on Saturday evening. Best wishes from everyone involved with the team on and off the pitch.
