Match Report by Sam Donovan
The Highwaymen continued their unbeaten start to pre-season with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Stockton Town on Saturday afternoon. A penalty from Liam Noble and a strike from Joe Walton sealed the win in Teesside.
A high-pressing 1st half performance saw Morpeth play predominantly in their opponents half but it took 10 minutes before the first opportunity arrived. Jack Foalle had the effort but Roberts in the Stockton goal managed to get behind the ball.
Andrew Johnson was a handful throughout the game and he worked the next chance on 14 minutes after he weaved infield but saw his effort deflect behind for a corner.
A few minutes later and Johnson was again given the opportunity but Roberts stood tall and managed to save the shot with his right foot.
On 18 minutes, Connor Oliver took aim from the edge of the box but Roberts once again was able to get his body behind the ball and make the save.
Stockton did respond and on 21 minutes they forced Dan Lowson into a save but it was very comfortable for the returning ‘keeper.
The Anchors had the clearest opportunity to take the lead on 33 minutes when Craggs saw a free kick deflect wide but it was from the resultant corner that Stephen Forster was alert to clear off the line from a header by Craggs.
Morpeth took the lead on 36 minutes when they were awarded a penalty after Johnson was bundled over in the area. Liam Noble stepped up and placed the penalty into the side netting despite Roberts guessing the right way.
The hosts should have levelled on 40 minutes but Mulligan volleyed over the bar from a low cross. There was gasps of amazement from the players and coaches alike as the striker was 4 yards out.
The Highwaymen could have doubled their lead a minute later when Liam Henderson glanced a header over the bar after being picked out by Liam Noble.
As to be expected in pre-season games, when changes were made at the interval, it took awhile for the game to get back into the flowing tempo as the first half.
The visitors became stronger as the half wore on but it was the trialist in goal for Morpeth in the second half who kept the lead intact. He made a double save on 54 minutes with Wayne Phillips also on hand to clear off the line to deny Woodhouse, Roberts and Jackson.
The ‘keeper needed to be alert just after the hour mark when tipped an effort from King around the post and then moments later was on hand to stop shots from Woodhouse and Robinson.
The move of the game resulted in the second goal which sealed the win. A spell of possession saw Morpeth string 35 passes together before Ben Sayer slipped it through to Carl Finnigan who cut inside one defender and drew the ‘keeper before rolling it across the box for Walton to tap home.
Lowson (Trialist, 46), Forster (Trialist, 46), Williams (Forster, 68), Turner, Reid (Phillips, 46), Oliver (Sayer, 46), Noble (Hodgson, 46), Walton, Foalle (Mohammed, 46), Johnson (Trialist, 46), Henderson (Finnigan, 46).
