Match report proudly sponsored by Northumbria Print
Morpeth earned their first points of the season with a 2-0 win over Matlock Town at Craik Park in the Pitching In NPL Premier Division.
The Highwaymen had tasted defeat in their opening two league games but made sure of victory over last season’s play-off semi-finalists with a goal in each half.
Liam Noble delivered the moment of the game with a sensational drive from 30 yards on 27 minutes before an Ioan Evans own goal gave Morpeth a two-goal advantage they never relinquished.
Matlock, though, would threaten regularly, starting in the 8th minute when a header goalward from a central position was pushed clear by Dan Lowson in the Highwaymen goal.
Jack Foalle’s cut-back somehow eluded everyone four minutes later after a trademark Josh Robson surge forward that proved effective all afternoon.
The home side would get their best sight of goal on 17 minutes when Matlock keeper Jim Pollard’s attempt to punch clear fell for Ben Sayer on the penalty spot. However, he couldn’t keep the rising ball down and looped an effort over the top.
Sayer would get another sight of goal two minutes later, this time from halfway following a poor clearance from Pollard. With an open goal, but distance to cover, Sayer’s shot drifted off target.
This was before Noble’s strike. A goal of the season contender and no mistake. After Foalle had drifted in off the right side, he guided the ball into Noble’s path. The midfielder took a touch to control before rifling an unstoppable drive past Pollard to give Morpeth the lead.
Then came a spell of real menace from the visitors, who threatened an equaliser three times in five minutes. The first of those chances came just after the half-hour mark when Jacob Day, the big striker who was well marshalled by Jeff Henderson, broke free of all around him. A ball into the box found him but he flicked it straight at Lowson, with an ocean of space to do far more.
Jorome Slew then broke down the left before the ball was worked to Alex Wiles, but the midfielder’s goalbound shot was blocked by Noble. Then came the best chance of the lot as a header from close range flew over the top, with Lowson being fouled but the referee not interested.
Ben Ramsey, in for the ill Connor Thomson, sent a looping header narrowly wide of the target, after fine build up play from Noble, Foalle and Robson, as the half ended with a narrow advantage for the Highwaymen.
The second half, although more frantic, didn’t create as many chances, with Morpeth’s second goal arriving in the 53rd minute through an Evans own goal.
Noble sent the delivery in from the right, it dropped in the six-yard box and everyone around it tried to get a toe on the ball. Evans got their first but diverted it into the back of his own net to give the home side a two-goal lead.
Despite Lowson needing to tip a goalbound header over the top in fine style in the 67th minute, there wasn’t too much else from Matlock as they tried in vain to get a foothold in the contest.
Alex Byrne sent a free-kick wide of the post as Morpeth eased their way to a first win of the campaign.
Town are next in action when they travel to Liversedge on Tuesday night, before a home clash with Hyde United next Saturday. Click here to purchase your ticket today.
MORPETH TOWN: Lowson, Robson, Reid, Sayer, Henderson (c) (Geliher 87’), Turner, Foalle, Noble, Pearson (Scott 70’), Pani (Wombwell 71’), Ramsey.
SUBS NOT USED: Harvey
MATLOCK TOWN: Pollard, Sharman, Chippendale, Evans, Qualter (c), Lees (Nijara 56’), Byrne, Wiles, Day (Potts 56’), Slew (Higgins 79’), Barnett.
SUBS NOT USED: De Giralamo Blakeley
ATT: 431
