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The year 2020 will go down in history for all the wrong reasons as football was put on hold more than once.
The end of one season was null and void, with the following campaign currently mired in uncertainty.
As we near the end of the calendar year, we take a look back at truly unprecedented 12 months, with Sam Donovan guiding you through it.
September
Amidst a hugely surreal backdrop, dictated by Covid-19, the new league season got underway at Craik Park. A raft of social distancing measures were in place and the ground was only able to hold a maximum of 300 supporters, but it was still a welcome chance to watch non-league football once again.
Morpeth opened their season with a 1-1 draw at home to Grantham Town. Ryan Holland was dismissed for the visitors on 34 minutes and they soon fell behind as Andrew Johnson scored on his competitive debut for the club. Ashley Worsfold levelled for the Gingerbreads and that is how it finished.
Morpeth made progress in the FA Cup with a comprehensive win over City of Liverpool FC, thanks to a 3-0 win on Merseyside. Jack Foalle grabbed a brace and Liam Henderson netted his first of the campaign.
Life on the road continued for Town as they made the trip to Derbyshire to face Mickleover. Liam Noble opened the scoring with a deflected strike before Stuart Beavon levelled for the hosts. Liam Henderson and Noble both had penalties saved as it looked like Morpeth would be made to rue these missed penalties. But Johnson rose highest to grab the winner and seal an impressive in the context of the hosts’ form to date.
The Highwaymen returned to league action with a relatively short trip to Lancaster City. Rhys Turner and David Norris had the Dolly Blues ahead at Giant Axe within the opening 11 minutes as Morpeth were caught cold. Liam Henderson slid home to give Morpeth a lifeline in the early stages of the second half. In a drama filled match, Paul Dawson was sent off for kicking Sam Hodgson, with Wayne Phillips also dismissed following his role in the ensuing melee. With the game ticking into stoppage time, and Morpeth piling on the pressure, Carl Finnigan glanced a header into the far corner to grab a share of the spoils.
September Stats:
Played: 4
Won: 2
Drew: 2
Lost: 0
Scored: 8
Conceded: 5
October
Morpeth exited the FA Cup as they lost out to National League North side Southport. Liam Henderson glanced home a header on 19 minutes to put Town ahead. Jack Foalle was brought down in the penalty area but his resulting spot kick was saved by the keeper. Niall Watson and George Newell changed the game in favour of Port, who clinched the tie 2-1 amid a torrential downpour.
Turning their attention to the league, Morpeth and South Shields locked horns. There was nothing to separate the two sides as Morpeth put in a dogged defensive display and restricted the Mariners to one shot on target in the whole game.
Next up was a trip to Whitby Town and a narrow defeat would follow. Carl Finnigan missed from the spot on this occasion – as the Highwaymen’s desperate penalty record continued – with the hosts racing up the other end to open the scoring in the immediate aftermath. Jacob Hazel was the man to roll the ball into an empty net, and he added a second to secure victory. Ryan Hutchinson reduced the deficit, with Adam Gell and Jack Foalle both sent off in the closing stages.
Midweek disappointment was on the cards at Stalybridge Celtic as Morpeth fell to a 3-1 defeat. Lewis Salmon opened the scoring before Jack Foalle scored a spectacular volley but the Highwaymen fell behind almost immediately as Scott Sephton scored before Matty Markinson smashed home from close range.
Morpeth and Whitby would lock horns again but this time in the FA Trophy as they clashed at Craik Park. Liam Henderson opened the scoring on the half hour mark, after Jameel Ible had been sent off for the visitors for a clash with Henderson. Ben Sayer doubled the lead from the penalty spot after Henderson had been felled. Liam Noble made it 3-0 before Marcus Giles pulled a goal back against his former side.
October Stats:
Played: 5
Won: 1
Drew: 1
Lost: 3
Scored: 6
Conceded: 8
November
Morpeth collected all three points in their clash with Bamber Bridge, despite the visitors defying their lowly position. Ben Sayer netted from the penalty spot before Chris Reid doubled the lead. George Thomason made it a nervy finale when he scored in the 81st minute, but it could have been settled had Sayer not missed a penalty in the final stages.
November Stats:
Played: 1
Won: 1
Drew: 0
Lost: 0
Scored: 2
Conceded: 1
December
After another enforced lay-off due to government guidance, Morpeth found themselves in FA Trophy action with a tie at Runcorn Linnets. Hutchinson and Foalle had fired Town into a two-goal advantage, but Runcorn hit back and drew level to force penalties. Dan Lowson was to be the hero as he saved two spot kicks and also converted his own to put Morpeth into the next round.
The reward for winning against Runcorn was to face Notts County from the National League at Craik Park. Unfortunately, it was to be a step too far for Morpeth as they suffered a 3-0 reverse. However, Morpeth could be left to rue some missed chances against a very clinical Magpies outfit. Elisha Sam fired home the opener on five minutes. Sam Graham and Jimmy Knowles scored in the second half.
December Stats:
Played: 2
Won: 1
Drew: 0
Lost: 1
Scored: 2
Conceded: 5
2020 Stats
Played: 27
Won: 15
Drew: 5
Lost: 7
Scored: 55
Conceded: 41
