Match Report proudly sponsored by Northumbria Print
The Highwaymen crashed to a comprehensive defeat at Bamber Bridge on Saturday following a 3-0 loss in Lancashire. A brace from Matthew Dudley and an own goal from Stephen Forster seperated the sides.
Morpeth started the game well and won a corner thanks to the persistence of Sean Taylor. As the corner was whipped in, Michael Turner was wrestled to the floor inside the area but there was nothing doing from the referee.
On 6 minutes, Liam Noble had the first chance of the game but drilled his shot wide of the post.
Only a minute later and Noble was again at the heart of things as he drove forward from midfield before teeing up Sean Taylor but the winger saw the bobble as he struck it and it flew over the bar.
Morpeth had started the game well and looked to take advantage of this but the hosts showed their threat when they capitalised on a defensive error but Dan Lowson bailed the Highwaymen out by spreading himself well to deny James Dean.
Bamber Bridge took the lead on 13 minutes from a fantastic free kick by Matthew Dudley. Jeff Henderson brought down Alistair Waddecar and Dudley stepped up to curl a 30yd effort up and over the wall into the top corner.
The Highwaymen tried to respond and Michael Turner saw a goalbound header deflect off another Town player and go out play on 24 minutes.
Morpeth continued to come forward and Sean Taylor saw a looping header drift wide of the far post before Jack Foalle got in behind the defence but his cut back was blocked by the defenders.
As the game ticked past the 30 minute mark, Dudley whipped in another free kick that was met by a diving header from Kieran Charnock but it was straight at Dan Lowson. A minute later and the full back Matthew Thomson scampered down the wing before drilling an effort wide of the post.
Morpeth responded and a loose ball dropped to Noble in the area but the midfielder saw his effort blocked. His next effort was even closer as he somehow managed to strike both bar and post with a single effort and the rebound eluded Taylor.
Micahel Turner had the final effort of the half as he collected the ball inside his own half before rampaging forward and fizzed in a low effort. It was gathered at the second attempt by Lloyd Rigby.
The Highwaymen started the second half in the same fashion as the first. Joe Walton saw a header from the edge of the 18yd box get collected by Rigby from just under the crossbar.
The hosts who often operated with 10 men behind the ball and were content to play counter-attacking football and it was from one of these attacks that Dean had a free header at the far post but it lacked power and covered by Lowson.
7 minutes into the second half and Turner saw a header claimed by Rigby after a corner had created chaos in the Brig penalty area.
On 57 minutes, Dudley doubled his own and Bamber Bridge’s lead when he latched onto a long ball, seizing on some indecision and slotting the ball through the legs of Lowson. He then collected the ball and rolled it into an empty net.
Halfway through the half, Dudley had the chance to seal his hat trick but elected to pass the ball across the box for Dean. Lowson pulled off a magnificient reaction save to deny the big forward.
A few half chances fell the way of the Highwaymen as they tried to find a way back into the game but a header from Taylor landed on the roof of the net and Jack Foalle swivelled before lashing a volley over.
The final goal arrived on 83 minutes, Dudley again teed up Dean and as the striker weighed up his options, Stephen Forster in trying to clear the ball knocked it past Lowson and into the back of the net.
The Highwaymen will be next be in league action on Saturday when they make the short trip to face rivals South Shields at Mariners Park. The game kicks off at 3pm and live coverage is available on Mixlr and Twitter.
Bamber Bridge: Rigby, Thomson, Sumner, Lawlor, Charnock, Wisdom, Waddecar (Spooner, 83’), Booth (Forbes, 62’), Dean, Dudley, Marlow (Pett, 83’).
Subs not Used: Churchman, Roccia.
Goals: Dudley 13’, 57’, Forster (OG) 83’.
Morpeth Town: Lowson, Forster, C. Reid, Noble (McKeown, 87’), J. Henderson, Turner, Taylor, Hodgson, (Harmison, 60’), Foalle (S. Reid, 74’), Phillips (c), Walton.
Subs not Used: Mohammed, Thackray.
Goals: N/A
