Match report proudly sponsored by Northumbria Print
Words: Ross Jackson
Morpeth Town earned a superb victory on the road in a high-pressure game as they beat Belper Town 2-1 to pull clear of the Pitching In NPL Premier Division relegation zone.
Andrew Johnson’s 26th minute goal cancelled out Jerome Greaves’ 21st minute opener before Jack Foalle’s strike seconds after the restart pushed the Highwaymen six points clear of the bottom four.
The visitors, playing their final away game of the league campaign, made an enforced change, with Josh Robson replacing the injured Josh King at right-back.
The Highwaymen started brightly with Sam Fishburn flashing a low cross across the box, just out of reach of Johnson, before Foalle’s rising drive was pushed over by Belper keeper Tom Jackson. From the resulting corner kick, captain Jeff Henderson powered a header over the bar as Morpeth started impressively.
But as Belper rode the storm, the hosts found a foothold with a 19th minute Joseph Nyahwema effort that flew inches wide of the target before an unlikely opening goal for the Nailers from Jerome Greaves.
It was simplicity in its creation on 21 minutes as an inviting ball in from the right was glanced into the far corner by the big striker to give his side the lead.
But the Highwaymen would restore parity five minutes later through Johnson. A long throw from Connor Pye was allowed to bounce a few times at the near post before being flicked across goal by Fishburn, with Johnson the grateful recipient at the back stick.
Brodie Litchfield curled a 36th minute effort wide of the far post before Fishburn was denied a goal to cap an industrious run in behind the defence as the game went into the interval all-square.
With Morpeth hoping for a quick start to the second half, it was exactly what they got as they took the lead seconds after the restart.
Foalle was played in behind the defence by Matty Cornish and deftly finished with his left foot to give Morpeth a deserved lead.
As an entertaining contest ebbed and flowed, the visitors would be awarded a penalty after Cornish’s effort from the edge of the box was handled by Curtis Burrows on the penalty spot.
But with a 64th minute chance to extend Morpeth’s lead, substitute Liam Noble’s spot-kick was superbly saved by Jackson.
Two minutes later and another chance came the way of the away side, with substitute Ben Ramsey denied by a defensive block in the six-yard box before a follow-up was volleyed wide.
Belper were still a threat going forward and had a 79th minute headed sight of goal through Greaves, but it was straight at keeper Dan Lowson, who gathered comfortably.
Foalle thought he had secured the points in stoppage time when lobbing the stranded Jackson, but the referee adjudged a push in the build-up that was perhaps a little soft in the award.
But it wouldn’t prevent Morpeth from earning back-to-back away wins and three vital points. Town are next in action when they host Warrington Rylands in the final home game of the season on Saturday.
BELPER TOWN: Jackson, Rhodes, Algar (Avery 81’), Burrows, Wilson, Middleton (c), Nyahwema (Tague 90+2’), Gratton, Greaves, Litchfield, Oliver (Molyneaux 81’).
SUBS: Reaney, Cotterill.
MORPETH TOWN: Lowson, Robson, Pye, Sayer, Henderson (c), Reid, Foalle, Donaldson, Fishburn (Noble 45’), Cornish, Johnson (Ramsey 46’).
SUBS: Morris, Anderson, Turner.
ATT: 594
