Match report proudly sponsored by Northumbria Print
Morpeth Town were denied a share of the spoils by a last-gasp penalty that resulted in a 1-0 defeat at Guiseley in the Pitching In NPL Premier Division.
The goal came from Lewis Whitham deep into added-on time after Dan Lowson had denied Callum Chippendale from the spot.
Morpeth started the game in solid enough fashion but were thankful to Lowson for saving a routine free-kick in the opening couple of minutes.
Town were building themselves into the game and looked compact and organised in and out of possession. Their first chance would come on nine minutes when Andrew Johnson’s free-kick was gathered by home keeper Kyle Trenerry.
The hosting Lions were causing problems and probably should have had the lead in the 16th minute when Mohammad Qasim flicked a low cross from the left over the top of the goal.
Jameel Ible rose highest in the 33rd minute, but the referee brought play back possibly for the cross having gone out of play before it reached the centre-back’s head in the six-yard box.
Qasim then dragged a shot well wide of the far post in the 42nd minute as Morpeth went in at the break all-square with Guiseley.
The game noticeably opened up in the second half, with both sides sensing the first goal of the game could be decisive.
The home side threatened first in the 59th minute, after Morpeth had visibly upped the ante in an attacking capacity, with a header down into the turf that was gathered by the impressive Lowson.
Then Morpeth sprung into life 60 seconds later when an inviting ball in from the right was just too high for the on-rushing Ryan Donaldson before Chris Reid collected and drilled a shot at the near post straight at the keeper.
Ben Sayer then had a shot blocked as the visitors rattled the home defence, with Thomson curling an effort wide on 69 minutes.
Johnson shot straight at Trenerry on 72 minutes and Reid nodded agonising over on 80 minutes as the belief poured through the Highwaymen.
They almost benefited on 83 minutes from a keeper gaffe as a bobble took the ball over Trenerry’s attempted clearance with his foot, but Ramsey couldn’t get there, with an open goal at his mercy, before the scrambling defender.
Then came the decisive moment deep into stoppage time as Reid attempted to head clear a ball, but with being flicked on he cleared out the attacker and conceded the spot-kick, which was saved by Lowson but converted on the follow-up by Whitham.
It was a result the Highwaymen didn’t deserve as they head into their next league game, a home clash with Warrington Town. Tickets are on sale now by clicking here, or available on the gate (cash only).
GUISELEY: Trenerry, Boateng, Smith, Daly, Ible, Yates, Ackroyd, Chippendale, Cassidy, Whitham, Qasim.
SUBS: Haw, Hartley, Emery. Coker, Kellett.
MORPETH TOWN: Lowson, Wombwell, Reid, Sayer, Henderson, Turner, Thomson, Pani, Fishburn (Pearson 90’), Donaldson, Johnson (Ramsey 81’).
SUBS: Robson, King
ATT: 516
