Men's 1s off to winning start

A mixed 1s and 2s XI kicked off pre-season with a 3-1 win over Morpeth 2s, overhauling a half-time deficit in the process.

Jesmond were out of the blocks quickly, Clarke hitting the post early on. However Morpeth began to establish themselves in the game, making chances and winning short-corners. This was eventually converted into a 1-0 lead, a well-worked slip to the left leading to an uncontested tap-in at the back in. Whilst Jesmond pressed for an equaliser it was Morpeth who came closest to doubling their advantage, a top-corner bound drag-flick only diverted by a great stop on the line by Adamson.

In the second half Jesmond saw more of the ball, making a number of chances and securing a series of short-corners. Eventually, Mathers, having laid-off and created chances at either side from shorts decided to go the direct route, scoring powerfully with a straight strike. Shortly after Jesmond edged ahead following a scramble in the D with the ball airborne on a couple of occasions, debutant Wilson reacting first to Heyward's shot deflected up off the keepers pads to stab the ball home on the backhand from shoulder height. 2 became 3 as Duffy deflected Clarke's through ball into the top left hand corner.

Turn around complete and a pleasing start to the season. Thanks to both teams for playing the game in the right spirit and the umpires for making the game happen. Notable mentions to Nicholson, Cockerill and Wilson on their 1s debuts and man of the match Duffy.

Jesmond: Greenshields (gk), Nicholson, Baker, Adamson, Kelly, Geldard-Williams, Mathers, Heyward (c), Clarke, Duffy, Wilson, Walls, Mullen, Cockerill