By Andrew McDonnell (@AndrewSJourno)
Morpeth Town co-manager Nick Gray was pleased with how his side performed against Scottish League Two side, Berwick Rangers.
The Highwaymen travelled to Shielfield Park for the first game of pre-season, and managed to test the professional outfit for the full 90 minutes.
“I’m delighted,” Gray said. “We came up with a small squad and we had a couple of young lads that done really well.
“We had two on the bench, who had just come back after their holiday. It was a good run out, in hot conditions, the boys put a good shift in and that was the most important thing.”
Gray and Dave Malone handed debuts to Danny Carson and Richard Pell in the first-half, alongside Luke Carr, who started for the first time since re-signing.
Wayne Phillips and Curtis Coppen entered the fray at half-time and Gray believes every one of the summer signings played well.
He added: “They were all comfortable on the ball and come to play straight away. They weren’t hiding, they were looking for the ball.
“They played really well, I’m delighted with them all. They fitted in really well.”
Despite not opening their goal-scoring account, the Highwaymen managed to keep a clean-sheet in their first game with the new signings in the squad.
“That’s important,” Gray said. “Results in pre-season, I’m not really concerned about, it’s more about performances and getting there for August 5.
“In the back four today, we’ve had three different new players there and they’ve all done really well, they’ve all played a part in the game.
“That’s pleasing as well because we limited them, I don’t think Karl (Dryden) has had a shot to save all game.”
Morpeth play Alnwick Town on Wednesday before a Sunderland XI at Craik Park on Friday, July 14 with kick-off being at 7:45pm, and the club are hoping for a big turnout.
