Morrison at the double for Borough

PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY MERSEY VALLEY ............ 0 BACUP BOROUGH ........... 2 WAYNE Morrison got himself a brace as Bacup Borough maintained their preparations for the season proper with victory at Mersey Valley.

Manager Brent Peters utilised his entire squad by adopting two different teams playing forty five minutes each in a useful run out.

The first half was a 3-4-1-2 formation. Mersey Valley were sharp and bright, trying to play football on the floor.

However, they came up against a strong defensive unit in Porter, Masirika and Bellamy.

It took Bacup fifteen minutes before getting into any kind of rhythm, but when they did they looked extremely dangerous. Anthony Hall and Matthew Bryan were a constant threat, backed up by Josh Walne down Bacup’s right.

Still, neither side broke the deadlock before the interval.

The second forty five minutes saw the introduction of Ben Rhodes, Ryan Heywood, Stuart Craig, Martin Cosgrave and Wayne Morrison and with this a 4-4-2 formation for Bacup.

Boro seemed to step up the pace with plenty of movement in their side and this soon brought about their opening goal.

Good link up play involving Rhodes and Matthew Bryan ended with the latter picking out strike partner Morrison to finish.

Mersey Valley started to struggle with Borough’s pace and movement and found themselves fortunate not to be two goals down when Bryan struck the bar.

Ryan Haywood who then fouled, resulting in a Bacup free kick, and once again the Mersey Valley crossbar saved the day from an exquisite effort from Bryan.

The Bryan/Morrison combination helped Bacup double their lead.

“A quality cross from Bryan was met with precision timing from Morrison to head into the net.

Following this goal, Peters replaced Jordan Rutter with Alex Chew before changing to a 3-5-2 formation with which Bacup finished the game ●● Ben Rhodes as comfortable 2-0 winners.

“This was another good work out for us,” said Peters.

“Mersey Athletic did try to play football, they were busy and sharp all over the pitch.

“For us to get any foothold in this game we needed to match them, and this meant the players needed to put in the work ethic, once again showing that we have a good, honest bunch of lads who are willing to do this and not just treat the game as if it was a walk in the park.

“During the first forty five minutes we were very patchy, not dictating the tempo.

“That said, in those patchy moments when we did play we looked good.

“It is important the wing backs push high up the pitch, it is a demanding role but it is a role that, if not played right, means the team could become too defensive and not attack minded enough.

“On that note, Josh Walne did well, making every effort to link up with the attack at every opportunity.

“The second forty five minutes – given the personnel we introduced – all slotted into a 4-4-2 formation like an hand into a glove.

“I was impressed by their pace and movement throughout, I was also pleased with the Matthew Bryan/Wayne Morrison combination at the top end of the pitch, they both linked up really well.”

Peters finished by saying: “The group in its entirety are working really well, I have been pleased with everyone’s contribution to date. I am also pleased by the attitude and work ethic and ability young Ben Rhodes has shown since his progression from our Youth team.

“The sad thing ahead of this weekend’s game (against Salford City’s Academy 92) is the fact that I do lose a lot of players from the squad due to holidays. Unfortunately this is an occupational hazard.”