Match Report proudly sponsored by Northumbria Print
Morpeth made the long trip to Nottinghamshire on Saturday to face high-flying Basford United and were unlucky to come home with no points after a dominant display. Pardon the pun but it was daylight robbery for the Highwaymen after creating chance after chance.
A quiet opening quarter of the game saw the best opportunity fall the way of the hosts but Michael Turner was forced to cut a dangerous cross as Ashley Worsfold was waiting to tap the ball home.
On 14 minutes, Morpeth carved out their first opportunity of the game when Chris Reid climbed highest at the far post but saw his header come back off the post. The hosts were forced to clear under pressure before a second cross came into the area but Liam Henderson couldn’t direct his header towards goal.
Morpeth grew in confidence as the half wore on and a series of corners from Liam Noble were to no avail as Basford were able to deal with these fairly comfortably.
Against the run of play, the hosts the took the lead. James Reid curled home a tremendous free-kick from the edge of the box leaving Dan Lowson with no chance.
Morpeth continued to get into promising positions at the start of the second half but the final ball was lacking the quality to create good chances.
On 52 minutes, Morpeth enjoyed a good spell of possession on the edge of the Basford area but it ended with Wayne Phillips drilling an effort wide of the post.
The game broke into action on the hour mark with the home side having appeals for a penalty turned down and instead being awarded a corner. From the corner, Morpeth were able to launch a counter attack; it ended with Stephen Forster whipping in a delightful cross that Henderson could only head straight at Kieron Preston in the Basford goal.
On 65 minutes, Liam Noble dinked a ball into the area for Carl Finnigan but the striker was just unable to get a telling touch on the ball and the ball evaded the far post.
Morpeth had another good opportunity on 69 minutes when Noble delivered a fantastic ball to the back post where Reid again connected with his head but Preston made a terrific save.
If the Highwaymen thought they should have been level before the 87th minute during the space of 30 seconds they will have felt like they should have won the game more than once. Noble once again floated a delivery into the box; Preston came for the ball and missed it before Reid saw his header come back off the post, another chance was blocked on the line by a defender before Preston made amends with another block.
Into added time and Morpeth continued to press forward in search of what would have been a more than deserved equaliser. As Sean Taylor was poised to strike the ball across goal, it bobbled allowing a covering defender to block it and in keeping with all that went before the ball went into the side-netting.
Morpeth are back at home on Tuesday evening when they entertain Pickering Town in the Integro Challenge Cup. Kick off is at 7.45pm.
Basford United: Preston, Roma, Wilson, Thornhill (c), Carr, Galinski, Richards (James, 79’) Chettle, Worsfold, Thomas, Reid (Keane, 73’).
Subs not Used: Law, Bateman, Carvell
Goals: Reid 31’,
Morpeth Town: Lowson, Forster, Reid, Noble, Hutchinson, J. Henderson, Taylor, Hodgson (Sayer, 76’) L. Henderson, Finnigan (Foalle, 76’), Phillips (c) (Walton, 69’).
Subs not Used: J. Henderson, Mohammed.
Goals: N/A
