Match Report brought to you by Northumbria Print.
Morpeth suffered defeat on the road in Manchester on Tuesday evening as FC United ran out 3-0 winners at Broadhurst Park writes Sam Donovan.
Jonathan Smith opened the scoring for the home side on 6 minutes before deflected strikes from Jordan Simpson and Paul Ennis sealed the win.
FC United began the game on the front foot and almost took the lead on 2 minutes with Jordan Simpson bursting forward from midfield but he dragged his effort wide of the far post from just inside the box.
There was no respite for Town as a series of corners led to the opening goal after 6 minutes. A corner was cleared back out to Drew Baker who delivered a cross to the far post and Jonathan Smith was on hand to stab the ball home.
Andrew Johnson had the first chance of the game for Morpeth Town but after collecting the ball and cutting in from the left, he left fly with an ambitious effort but it sailed over the crossbar from 35yds.
On 20 minutes, the ball broke kindly for Alistair Waddecar and he shot which was blocked by Dan Lowson but it rebounded off Waddecar and as it bounced goalwards, Jeff Henderson was on hand to clear the ball away.
The hosts continued their impressive start and had a good opportunity to double the lead on 22 minutes as Main fired a low effort off the bar before Morpeth could clear.
Morpeth had their first real opportunity on 29 minutes. Liam Noble delivered a wonderful freekick into the area and it was glanced goalwards by Liam Henderson but it was diverted onto the post by Dan Lavercombe via his fingertips.
Chris Reid had another opportunity just before the interval with another free kick from Noble was right onto the money but the defender couldn’t direct his header goalwards.
The second half began with FC on the front foot and Drew Baker headed wide of the far post from a corner.
That opportunity seemed to give Morpeth a second wind and they responded with Sam Hodgson side-footing over the bar from edge of the area as the Highwaymen came forward.
On 57 minutes, the ball dropped to Liam Henderson at the back post but the striker was unable to get enough purchase on his shot and it was blocked on the line by Baker.
The Highwaymen were made to rue their chances as the lead was doubled on 67 minutes. Neat play around the edge of the area saw the ball fall to the feet of Jordan Simpson who shot low but it took a hefty deflection off Jeff Henderson and nestled in the bottom corner with Lowson helpless.
The goal invigorated the hosts and they continued to press forward; Main wriggled away from the attentions of Reid before shooting into the side netting at the near post before claiming a penalty.
Morpeth weren’t done though and Ryan Donaldson had an effort on 75 minutes but his low effort from the edge of the penalty area skidded along the turf but Lavercombe was able to get down and make the save.
The game was sealed in the 81st minute as Paul Ennis scored from the angle following a free kick which again took a heavy deflection. Donaldson was the unlucky man who the ball struck before hitting the underside of the bar and going in.
Still, Morpeth pressed in the search for a goal; Carl Finnigan was released and he got in behind the defence but his low strike was saved by the legs of Lavercombe before he pounced on the loose ball.
United had a chance in added time and they struck the woodwork again with Adam Dodd getting forward from fullback before cutting in and see his effort hit the near post. The loose ball dropped to Matthew Rain but he fired straight at Lowson.
The Highwaymen are back in the North West on Saturday when they travel to face Stalybridge Celtic. Kick off is at 3pm, there will be live commentary on Highwaymen Radio and updates on Twitter.
FC United of Manchester: Lavercombe, Smith, Dodd, Simpson (White, 78’), Baker, Morris, Ennis (Bennett, 83’), Potts (c), Waddecar (Rain, 61’), Main, Sinclair-Smith
Subs not Used: Jones, Fieldhouse
Goals: Smith 6’, Simpson 67’, Ennis 81’.
Morpeth Town: Lowson, Forster, Phillips (c), Hodgson, J. Henderson, Reid, Walton (Finnigan, 69’), Noble, L. Henderson, Donaldson (Foalle, 83’), Johnson.
Subs not Used: Morris, Ramsey, Turner
Goals: N/A
Attendance: 1522
