Morpeth Town v Blyth Spartans | Tuesday, 15 July 2025 - 19:30 | Friendly

Blyth Spartans fell to a 3-0 defeat against a Morpeth Town side in their third pre-season friendly of the summer.

It was a bright start from the Spartans, who were arguably the better of the two teams in the opening exchanges against a Morpeth side who kicked off with numerous former Blyth players in their starting XI.

The first real chance came from a long ball from Jack Wilson, 11 minutes in, which was followed in by Harvey Rudd. Rudd then fed the ball to Dan Maw, who was denied at point-blank range by Morpeth goalkeeper Dan Langley with a wonderful save.

The Highwaymen drew first blood just moments later when a whipped cross from the right flank was headed beyond Matty Cassap by Matty Griggs from 12 yards out.

Morpeth then doubled their lead on 20 minutes when Rhys Evans fired home a low, drilled effort from the right side of the penalty area.

Five minutes before the break, things got even worse when a mix-up at the back allowed Griggs to slot home to make it 3-0.

Half-Time: Morpeth Town 3-0 Blyth Spartans

Blyth made three changes to the side at the start of the second half, with Lewis Baker making an immediate impression between the sticks with a good save from close range.

Griggs was then denied a hat-trick when the Morpeth star fired wide of the mark after a jinking run. Despite a flurry of changes throughout the second period, Blyth battled hard and showed moments of promise in an evenly contested half.

The Highwaymen nearly made it four when Luke James headed wide of the mark with around 15 minutes of the second half remaining.

Benji Shodeinde posed plenty of problems with his pace and direct runs, causing headaches for the Morpeth defence in a second half when Blyth looked equally likely to create an opening.

But the evening ended in defeat for the Spartans, who will take some lessons from a night at Craik Park and into the rest of pre-season and beyond.

Full Time: Morpeth Town 3-0 Blyth Spartans

Goals - Matty Griggs 17' and 40', Rhys Evans 21'.