Morpeth Ladies 1st XI v Leeds Adul Ladies 1st XI

Result: 5-0
Scorers: Hagan (2), Feldman (2), Bowler
MOM: Feldman
AOM: Bowler

Team: Rose, Hindmarsh, Watkins, Wilson, Bryson, Bowler, Bell, Feldman, Cully, Hagan, Huish, Pollock.

After a tough match in the blistering heat at York last weekend, Morpeth were relieved to return to their fortress this week to host a Leeds side that looked to have made a promising start to their league campaign.

With the home side fielding two debutants (Brooke Cully and Sarah Huish), communication would be the key to success and Morpeth were keen to build on their unbeaten form.

Within the first few minutes the hosts put their opponents under pressure, attacking in numbers and forcing the visitors defence to make a number of vital tackles. With plenty of slick passing in midfield and some good movement off the ball by the forwards, the Leeds defence became increasingly frustrated and inevitably conceded a string of penalty short-corners. A well struck straight strike from Bell was blocked by the keeper only to find Feldman on the left post who slotted the ball over the line to claim her first goal for the club. It was only a matter of minutes before the home side were surrounding their opponents D once again after Pollock drove skilfully into the circle only to be fouled by the defence. Another straight strike, another poor clearance and another goal for Feldman allowed Morpeth to double their lead with 20 minutes still to play before half-time.

With Leeds on the back foot, Morpeth, running powerfully and using the width of the pitch, took control. Only on a few occasions did the visitors manage to break through the robust midfield of Wilson, Bell and Bowler and win a couple of penalty corners but the ever reliable Rose in goal rarely looked threatened. The defensive duo of Hindmarsh and Watkins combined well to regain possession and avoid any costly errors and on the half-time whistle, the home team’s clean sheet remained intact.

 The restart bought no respite for the visitors with Morpeth once again dominating the midfield and playing with the kind of skill and fluency a Brazilian side would be proud of. Feldman at right half showed confidence with some great ball distribution across the pitch allowing Morpeth to quickly build pressure down the left and produce a siege of attacks on the Leeds goal. The third came early in the second half and this time it was the Captain who found the score-sheet with a deflected clearance on the penalty spot swept into the centre of the goal.

 It got worse for Leeds as Hagan, Huish  and Bell employed some deft movement and ball skills to break down the defence and earn another flurry of penalty corners. It was a well drilled routine that got Morpeth their fourth with Bell’s straight strike to Bowler on the penalty spot being deflected to Hagan on the left who sent the ball into the bottom left hand corner. Morpeth were enjoying themselves and continued to keep the Leeds keeper busy with some coherent possession and persistent attacks. Another short corner for the home team looked to replicate the previous effort only to be stopped on the line by the body of a Leeds defender. With a penalty flick awarded, it was Hagan who stepped up and converted to clinch her second of the day and a fifth and final goal for the home side. It was a top-class performance and a convincing victory for Morpeth who will certainly be force to reckoned with this season.