Jarrow Roofing welcome Wembley-bound Morpeth after fine victory

Roofing completed a season’s league double over Dunston on Saturday thanks to a solitary goal from Kerry Hedley to move up to 16th place in the Northern League Division One Table.

The first half of the game was an even contest and the best Roofing chance came on 10 minutes when Michael Mackay’s shot on the turn from around 30 yards out had to be turned wide of the Dunston goal.

The visitors dominated the second half and broke the deadlock on 67 minutes. Hedley beat the Dunston defender in a challenge to the ball on the edge of the area after an over the top cross from Shaun Vipond, from which Hedley was able to lift the ball over the top of the ‘keeper.

Vipond’s work rate was excellent, and man of the match Michael Laws shone on his debut. And captain Alex White is pleased with the way that Roofing seem to have progressed over the last few games.

“It was a fantastic win against a strong Dunston side,” he said.

“We deserved the result and it was great team performance.

“The last three matches have been really enjoyable to be involved in, we must keep this consistency from now until the end of the season.”

Next up for Richie McLoughlin’s side is the Highwaymen, who emphatically booked their place in the FA Vase final on Saturday thanks to a 4-3 aggregate win over Bowers and Pitsea.

And tonight’s opponents have another hugely important semi-final lined up on Wednesday in the Northumberland Senior Cup when they travel to North Shields.

“Morpeth are a good side,” Roofing boss Richie McLoughlin said. “They are hard working and well organised. We have a hard game in store but we should be able to give as good as we get.

“We need to keep up the work-rate and we have a few rested players from Saturday that will help us out. They should be up for tonight’s game after the Dunston win”.

Paul Chow, Michael Coghlan and James Fairley were all left on the bench on Saturday but will likely start tonight.