By Andrew McDonnell (@AndrewSJourno)
Northern League Division One
Venue: Craik Park, Morpeth Common, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 2YX
Date: Wednesday, August 16, 2017
Kick-Off: 7:45pm
Updates: @MorpethTownAFC
Morpeth Town go into their game with Whitley Bay looking to maintain their 10-month winning run at Craik Park.
The Highwaymen haven’t dropped a single point at home since last October, while their opponents are on a run of their own at the moment.
Whitley are on a 12-match unbeaten run, which stretched back to January – the last side to beat them were Morpeth.
The visitors come into the game off the back of a 2-0 win over newly-promoted Stockton Town, while Nick Gray and Dave Malone’s side thrashed fellow newcomers Billingham Synthonia on Saturday.
Team News
Captain Keith Graydon has served his three match suspension and returns to the squad for the game against Whitley.
Liam Henderson is back fit and is also in the side, while midfielder Ben Sayer remains unavailable.
The Manager’s Views
Co-Manager Dave Malone said: “Whitley Bay haven’t been beaten at the back end of last season and the start of this season.
“I think the run stretches back to earlier this year, they’ve got a really good young side, we know it’s going to be a difficult game.
“However, on our home pitch, we’re expecting another good three points.”
The Opposition
Morpeth were certainly made to work for their victories in their three games against the Bay last season.
The Highwaymen won 3-2 at home in the league and 2-1 away, while their other victory come in the Northumberland Senior Cup First Round.
Whitley have turned their fortunes around in recent months, with Marc Nash taking over the helm and guiding them to a very respectable sixth-placed finish last season.
Nash has a young side at his disposal, and he’s added midfielder Matty Cornish, and defender Michael Hall this summer.
The Bay kicked off their season with a 1-1 draw with Seaham Red Star in the Emirates FA Cup before winning 4-1 in the replay a few days later.
They’ve had one league game this season, as they beat Stockton, while their unbeaten run stretched back to January – 12 games.
Admission Charges
Prices for the game with Whitley Bay on Wednesday evening are £6 for Adults, £4 for Concessions and £1 for Kids.
Last Meeting
Saturday, January 21, 2017 – Whitley Bay 1-2 Morpeth Town
Overall Record
The two sides first met in 2001, and Whitley won 3-0 and they have gone on to face each other 29 times in all competitions.
Morpeth: 15
Draws: 2
Synthonia: 12
