Match report proudly sponsored by Northumbria Print
An entertaining game saw Morpeth Town slip to a 4-2 loss at FC United, who went top of the Pitching In NPL Premier Division with victory.
Charlie Ennis put United in front on 12 minutes, but Connor Thomson restored parity on 14 minutes. Will Russ scored on 61 and 69 minutes to put his side ahead, but Liam Noble reduced the deficit on 74 minutes. Russ completed his hat-trick on 82 to seal victory.
Morpeth started brightly in a battle of two sides who could have gone top if results went their way coupled with a victory.
Connor Pani had an effort deflected into the keeper’s grasp on two minutes before Sam Fishburn popped up in a pocket of space on four minutes before laying it off for Jack Foalle to shoot wide.
Despite a promising start, the Highwaymen were behind on 12 minutes thanks to Ennis’ spot-kick. The late addition to the starting line-up, after Michael Donohue was injured in the warm-up, slotted down the middle after Thomson had fouled Jack Degruchy in the area.
But the midfielder would respond immediately, righting that wrong with a smart finish two minutes later to level. Looking to chase down a ball that had Degruchy on the turn, the young right back turned into the path of Thomson, who took it off him on the left side of the box before slotting across keeper Will Stanway and into the far corner.
It was no more than the visitors deserves as the game flowed wonderfully for the neutral, if not so much for the two managers.
Then came the clearest sight of goal Town would have for the rest of the half on 17 minutes, but Ryan Wombwell, with an open goal in front of him six yards out, couldn’t deflect a fiercely driven cross into the back of the net.
FC United would threaten in the 19th minute when Ennis’ fizzing low drive took a wicked deflection but still couldn’t beat Town stopper Dan Lowson who saved superbly.
A sporadic clutch of half chances denoted the rest of the half as Morpeth looked a threat on the counter while FC United saw plenty of the ball.
But it was Town who had a real sight of goal on 36 minutes, Michael Turner sending a raking crossfield ball that put Foalle in behind. He crossed for Fishburn who teed up Thomson to lash wildly off target.
James Vincent hit the inside of the post on 39 minutes as both sides settled for half-time and a chance to regroup.
The second half was just as entertaining as the first, with a big chance for Fishburn to score from a looping ball into the back post on 52 minutes. However, his header across goal flew inches past the far post.
They would be made to pay for the missed chance on 61 minutes as Russ scored his first of the evening. Morpeth failed to clear their lines in their own penalty area and Russ had the presence of mind to delay his shot before firing into the back of the net, with Town defenders around him.
A destructive nine minutes saw Town concede again as Russ netted once more to put his side 3-1 ahead.
The action was far from over by this point, with Morpeth reducing the deficit on 74 minutes after Chris Reid was felled in the penalty area. A clear spot-kick, Noble did the rest to bring us back to within one.
They should, in truth, have been level seconds later but sub Dale Pearson’s bobbled shot was saved from close range, with Thomson’s follow up also blocked.
However, with the Highwaymen pushing forward, they were exposed again at the back with Russ once again capitalising on a half-clearance to slam a shot into the roof of the net on 82 minutes.
Foalle had a shot pushed over in the closing stages as Morpeth continued to press, but they couldn’t add to their tally as the night ended in defeat following a thoroughly entertaining game.
Town are next in action when they host Stafford Rangers on Saturday. Tickets are available online by clicking here and on the gate on the day (cash only).
FC UNITED: Stanway, Degruchy, Armstrong, Vincent (Wollerton 81’), Halls, Jones, Gribbin, Potts (Palinkas 86’), Linney, Russ (Hall 90), Ennis.
SUBS: Kuleya, Lavercombe
MORPETH TOWN: Lowson, Robson, Reid, King, Wombwell (Geliher 84’), Turner, Foalle, Donaldson, Fishburn (Pearson 62’), Pani (Noble 63’), Thomson.
SUBS: Ramsey
ATT: 1,354
