Match Report proudly sponsored by Northumbria Print

Morpeth picked up a resounding three points on Tuesday evening with a comprehensive victory over Atherton Collieries. 

oe Walton scored a thunderbolt to open the scoring before Jack Foalle saw his effort creep in before Tom Potter netted his first goal of the campaign to cap a fantastic performance. 

The opening goal arrived on 9 minutes and it was the first attack of the game. Joe Walton was invited to drive forward from the right back position before approaching the edge of the area and he unleashed a stunning strike that arrowed into the top corner leaving Oliver Byrne grasping thin air.

Jack Foalle had a chance to double the lead only 2 minutes later when he was quickest to react to a loose ball in the box but he could only poke the ball over the bar. 

The visitors who had struggled to impose themselves on the game fashioned their first opportunity on 16 minutes but Danny O’Brien could only muster a tame effort at Dan Lowson. 

The visitors continued to improve as the game wore on but were unable to test Lowson. Sam Hodgson produced a stunning block to deny Tom Bentham. 

Just before the interval, Morpeth could have doubled their lead; Chris Reid did fantastic to get to the bye line before drilling a low cross to the back post but Foalle was unable to divert it goalwards. 

The lead was doubled 9 minutes in the second half and it was Foalle who grabbed the goal, that his performance deserved. If the first goal was sublime but this was ridiculous; Foalle shot from 20 yards after a great ball from Liam Noble and whilst it was on target, Byrne let the ball squirm through his grasp. 

There were huge appeals for a penalty from the visitors when a corner was played into the area; the ball hit the arms of a Morpeth player but it was those of Lowson and so the referee waved the appeals away. 

The lead was extended on 67 minutes; Wayne Phillips scampered down the left flank and after bursting into the box he dinked a ball to the back post where Tom Potter was able to head home for his first goal of the season. 

Morpeth weren’t content with 3 goals and continued to press for another. Noble came closest on 70 minutes when he reacted first to Potter’s cutback but his shot from 7yds lacked power and didn’t trouble Byrne. 

The visitors continued to press to reduce the arrears but a series of misplaced passes and some stoic defending from the Highwaymen preserved their clean sheet. In doing so, it was the first of the season in the league and one that will have pleased the management. 

In the end, it was a fairly straightforward evening for Town who preserved their unbeaten run at Craik Park and welcome Mossley in the FA Trophy on Saturday 26th October. 

The Highwaymen are in action on Saturday when they face Hyde United. Kick off is at 3pm. 

Morpeth Town: Lowson, Walton, C. Reid (Taylor, 76’), Noble, J. Henderson (c), Turner, S. Reid, Hodgson (McKeown, 83’), Foalle (Harmison, 80’), Phillips, Potter.

Subs not Used: Thackray, Giles

Goals: Walton 9’, Foalle 54’, Potter 67’.

Atherton Collieries: Byrne, Sherlock, Peet (c), Walsh (Hardcastle, 65’) Smith, Battersty, Brewster, Bailey, Bentham (Cover, 65’), Conway (Lynch, 65’), O’Brien

Subs not Used: N/A

Goals: N/A

Attendance: 520

Man of the Match: Joe Walton