Morpeth Town extended their unbeaten league run with a 2-1 win over Stocksbridge Park Steels at Craik Park.

Following an impeccably marked minute’s silence for Remembrance Day, Morpeth raced into the lead through David Carson on four minutes prior to Jeff Henderson’s 17th minute goal.

Despite numerous chances to stretch their lead, Luke Manghan set up a nervy final few minutes with a late goal which proved a mere consolation.

Morpeth started brightly and looked to unsettle their visitors with a high-pressing, quick tempo opening. It paid dividends four minutes in through Carson.

The midfielder, netting his third goal of the campaign, found himself with too much space on the edge of the box and duly punished Stocksbridge with a low drive that nestled into the bottom corner.

The hosts were in merciless mood and duly set about scoring a second, which arrived on 17 minutes. After pinball in the box, the ball dropped invitingly for Henderson, who thumped the ball into the turf so it looped into the top corner.

Morpeth looked threatening every time they strode forward, which was regularly by the midway point of the first half. Stephen Forster, back from honeymoon and replacing the suspended Danny Carson, unleashed a fierce curling effort, which wasn’t that far wide of the far post, following Michael Turner’s ferocious drive which was narrowly off target.

Stocksbridge, stunned to be two down after only 17 minutes, sent a free-kick past the post as their only real impact going forward in the opening half hour, despite getting into some positions of note.

But their best chance would arrive bang on the half-hour mark when a defensive mix-up allowed Brodie Litchfield a clean run on goal. However, the forward could only chip the ball well over the top from 20 yards, with Graeme Pickering stranded in the Town goal.

Forward came Morpeth to continue their dominance of the game in the 33rd minute, with the ball finding the feet of Carson 20 yards out. But the midfielder couldn’t find the back of the net on this occasion, from a similar position to his goal, instead smacking the post with a thunderous drive. Two minutes later and Tom Potter had his head in his hands as his glanced header, destined for the back of the net, was pushed over the top courtesy of a fine Jordan Amissah stop.

The game threatened to turn against the Highwaymen on 37 minutes when Sam Hodgson was shown a straight red card for a lunging challenge.

Faced with the prospect of playing against a side with 10 men for 53 minutes, Stocksbridge came out of the traps with more purpose in the second half, Reece Fielding smashing low but finding Turner on the line to clear.

Despite the disadvantage, Morpeth continued to press and should have added to their lead on 53 minutes, but Carson’s rasping, rising drive struck the underside of the bar. Tom Potter then sent a curling shot inches over the top as the Highwaymen made a mockery of playing with 10 men.

Potter was cutting in off the flank with regular ease and could have added to the score-line on 62 minutes, but his shot was deflected wide at the near post.

Ben Sayer hit the inside of the post, before Carson’s follow up was sent inches wide by a despairing defensive block.

Liam McFadyed scooped one away from Jack Foalle after the striker had chipped past the keeper, with substitute Sean Taylor also going close, before Manghan reduced the arrears with a low strike across goal.

But it wasn’t enough to stop Morpeth marching on in Evo-Stik East.

Town are next in action on Saturday when they journey to Loughborough Dynamo in Evo-Stik East. For supporters’ travel information, keep an eye on our Twitter and Facebook channels during the week.

 

MORPETH TOWN: Pickering; Forster, Turner, J.Henderson, Reid; Phillips (capt), Sayer, Hodgson; Potter (Walton 81), Foalle (L.Henderson 75), Dav Carson (Taylor 84).

SUBS NOT USED: Fry, Graydon.

GOALS: David Carson (4), Jeff Henderson (17).

STOCKSBRIDGE PARK STEELS: Amissah; Rhodes, Grayson (Poulton 66), Charlesworth (Thompson 58), McFadyed (capt), Fielding, Wiles, Longton, Ruthven, Litchfield, Coleman (Manghan 74).

SUBS NOT USED: Swinburn, Williams.

GOALS: Luke Manghan (87)

ATT: 466

SPONSORS MAN OF THE MATCH: Jeff Henderson