Match Report proudly sponsored by Northumbria Print
Town left Mickleover with a point following a 1-1 draw at the Don Amott Arena. Liam Henderson glanced the Highwaymen ahead before Mason Warren equalised from the spot. Shabz Mohammed saw a deserved red late on as Morpeth took a share of the spoils.
Morpeth started the game looking to get their season back on track following a couple of disappointing results and dominated the opening stages. Last ditch defending kept Mickleover level as Jack Foalle lurked in the box.
Lee Hughes had the first chance of the game for the home side but he could only direct his header back towards the player who had supplied the cross. Fortunately, his blushes were spared thanks to the offside flag against him.
Liam Henderson opened the scoring on 20 minutes when he glanced a sublime header past Jones in the Sports goal. Joe Walton whipped in the dangerous ball and Henderson finished with aplomb.
The lead could have been doubled only two minutes later and it was again through Henderson. He collected the ball and advanced before striking at goal which forced Louis Jones to spoon the ball behind for a corner.
The Highwaymen went even closer on 27 minutes when Sean Taylor hit the crossbar with a dinked cross into the area. Again, Jones made a meal of the cross and Jack Foalle was unable to force the loose ball into the back of the net.
The hosts should have levelled things up through former West Brom striker Hughes but he slipped the ball past the post. He seized on a defensive error and put the ball past Dan Lowson but also the post much to Morpeths relief.
Morpeth responded immediately and Jones was forced into a save low down to deny Foalle from doubling the tally.
Liam Henderson was tormentor in chief for Morpeth and after making a nuisance of himself, he was fouled 25yds from goal. Liam Noble took the free kick and forced a good save from Jones.
On the stroke of half-time, Hughes again had another half chance but after the ball fell fortuitously to him in the area, he saw his snapshot blocked by Jeff Henderson.
The second half took longer to get going but it was Jack Foalle who created the first chance on 51 minutes. Liam Henderson flicked the ball forward and Foalle raced clear but drilled his effort wide of the near post.
The hosts came forward as they looked to get back on level terms. On 59 minutes, the two subs for Mickleover combined with Batchelor crossing to the far post for Modest but the latter couldn’t direct his header towards goal.
The hosts were growing back into the game and got their equaliser with 17 minutes remaining. Jake Scott was felled in the box and the referee pointed to the spot. It was left to Mason Warren who sent Lowson the wrong way from 12yds.
The hosts were galvanised by their equaliser and Durrell Berry smashed an effort off the post from just inside the penalty area. The ball beat Lowson and rebounded out of play to much relief amongst the Morpeth players and supporters.
As Morpeth looked to try and wrestle the initiative back, their task was made harder when Shabz Mohammed was given a red card for kicking out at Batchelor.
The host piled forward looking to make their numerical advantage count as they forced a series of corners in added time. Despite half-hearted appeals for a handball, there was no interest from the referee.
There was to be no further chances as Morpeth clung on to take a valuable point back to Northumberland after being forced to play the final 10 minutes with 10 men.
Morpeth face another tough task on Saturday when they welcome Basford United to Craik Park. Kick off is at 3pm.
Mickleover Sports: Jones, Berry, Turner, Warren, Mills, Young, Watters (Modest, 51’), Scott (c), Hughes, Beavon, Boula (Batchelor, 51’).
Subs not Used: Tvaroh, McGrath, Ravenhill.
Goals: Warren (p) 73’.
Morpeth Town: Lowson, Forster, C. Reid, Nobel, J. Henderson (c), Turner, Taylor (Mohammed, 66’), Hodgson, Foalle, L. Henderson (Harmison, 84’), Walton.
Subs not Used: S. Reid, Potter, Thackray.
Goals: L. Henderson 20’
