Match Report proudly sponsored by Northumbria Print
The Highwaymen returend from Lincolnshire with a deserved three points as they won 2-1 at Grantham Town. With a busy week of transfers both incoming and outgoing there was several changes to the squad from last week. Carl Finnigan and Jack Robson made the bench along with Liam Henderson returning from suspension.
The hosts took the lead through Craig Westcarr before Chris Reid levelled. Liam Noble converted from the spot to seal the points.
The game started with weak sunshine on an otherwise cloudless but freezing December afternoon.
The first half chance of the game fell the way of the visitors as a deep cross from Callum Williams making his first start was misjudged by Adnan Kanuric but the ball struck Stephen Forster and went behind.
The hosts went straight down the other end of the pitch after 5 minutes and Westcarr stung the palms of Dan Lowson as he fired straight at the ‘keeper.
The hosts were content to play long balls and Remaye Campbell almost proved the beneficary as he got the ball before Lowson but the ball was smothered before Jack Wightwick fired the loose ball wide of the ball.
Moments later and another long ball broke for Westcarr who teed up Campbell but the striker got right under the ball and ballooned it high over the bar.
On 19 minutes, the hosts took the lead through the dangerous Westcarr. Another long ball forward from defence caught out the Morpeth defence and the striker took a touch before rifling the ball across Lowson and into the bottom corner.
Ten minutes before the interval, Joe Walton was inches away from pulling Morpeth level as his shot from the angle struck the far post before rolling along the line and striking the near post. The ball somehow managed to stay in and was eventually cleared to safety.
4 minutes later and Williams was caught on the edge of the area, Noble stepped up and curled the freekick narrowly wide of the post with the ‘keeper looking on.
On the stroke of halftime, the Highwaymen drew level through Chris Reid. It owed a lot to the persistance of Wayne Phillips who rolled the ball into the path of Walton who crossed low and Reid tapped home from almost on the line.
The second half began with Forster being denied in a 1v1 with Kanuric after Forster had stepped away from two defenders.
10 minutes into the second half and Morpeth were to be denied the first of a few clear penalties. Jack Foalle got beyond the last defender and was ready to pull the trigger before Connor Bartle brought down the striker but the referee opted to award a corner much to the consternation of the travelling players.
The second saw Morpeth on top but after 72 minutes, Campbell and Westcarr combined to race clear but neither was able to get a shot away.
With 14 minutes left on the clock, Morpeth had their second strong penalty appeal turned down as Liam Henderson was hauled down in the area as he tried to turn and fire the ball home.
Morpeth did finally get rewarded in the 84th minute, Carl Finnigan on as a second half substitute raced clear and despite seeing his initial shot blocked, he reacted quickest to the rebound before being bodychecked. With regular taker Joe Walton being substituted earlier, it was left to Liam Noble to step up and roll the ball home sending Kanuric the wrong way.
Morpeth saw out the game out without any undue concern as Grantham were unable to fashion any chances to rescue what would have been an undeserved point.
Town are next in action on Tuesday evening when they entertain Markse United in the Integro League Cup 1st Round. Kick off at Craik Park is at 7.45pm.
Grantham Town: Kanuric, Currie, Bartle, Atkinson, McGowan, Dunn, Zoko (Ward, 76’), Tweed (Goncalves, 89’), Westcarr (c), Campbell, Wightwick.
Subs not Used: Broadhead, Adelekan, Holford.
Goals: Westcarr 19’.
Morpeth Town: Lowson, Williams, C. Reid, Noble, J. Henderson, Turner, Foalle, (L. Henderson, 55’), Hodgson, Forster (Robson, 76’) , Phillips (c), Walton (Finnigan, 65’).
Subs not Used: Mohammed, Turnbull.
Goals: C. Reid 45’, Noble 84’ (p).
Man of the Match: Callum Williams
Attendance: 145
