Match Report brought to you by Northumbria Print.

Morpeth picked up their first points with a dominant performance over Atherton Collieries at a sundrenched Craik Park on Saturday writes Sam Donovan. 

An early goal from the returning Micky Turner and a penalty from Ryan Donaldson put Morpeth on the way to victory and Dan Lowson saved a penalty late on. 

With barely 60 seconds on the clock, the Highwaymen were ahead through Micky Turner. After the ball had struck the referee, Ben Sayer floated the ball forward and it was glanced behind for a corner. Liam Noble swung it in and Micky Turner arrived like a steam train to head home his first of the season. 

On 6 minutes the lead could have been doubled as Sayer slipped the ball down the channel for Jack Foalle but the striker could only whistle an effort narrowly wide of the far post. 

The Colls responded and on 11 minutes, Dan Lowson had to be alert to dive on the loose ball after Gareth Peet had curled in a dangerous freekick. 

After a quarter of an hour, the visitors had their next opportunity and once again Peet was the architect whipping in another dangerous ball that evaded Morpeth’s nemesis Marcus Cusani at the far post. 

The away side continued to see a lot of the ball were struggling to create any clear cut chances save for set pieces. It was from one of these that their next opportunity arose, Ryan Donaldson blocked a cross with his arm and Elliot Rokka delivered the free kick but it was cleared away. 

Morpeth responded and Ben Ramsey saw his cross come back after the cross bar with a slight touch from Luke Hutchinson diverting it from dropping in the back of the net. 

Only 2 minutes into the second half and Foalle was again released this time by Noble but the covering Niall Battersby was able to shepherd Foalle away from goal and his shot deflected back of Foalle and out for a goal kick. 

Just short of the hour mark, Turner was invited to come forward and the centre half obliged before unleashing a low, fizzing effort that made Hutchinson get down and tip behind for a corner. 

Once again, the visitors showed they were still in the game as a corner was only half cleared and reached Ethan Kershaw who dragged a low effort wide of the post. 

Morpeth extended their lead on 69 minutes as Liam Henderson was wrestled to the floor as a free kick was delivered into the box. It was not a surprise as wrestling had taken place before the kick had been taken. 

Ryan Donaldson stepped up and from 12 yards he went to the ‘keepers right and despite Hutchinson going the right way, the ball nestled in the corner. 

Morpeth looked to make the points well and truly safe in the 85th minute, Noble bent a free kick up and over the wall but Hutchinson was equal to it with a low save. From the resulting corner,  it fell to Ramsey who once again was unlucky as a low drive slipped wide of the far post with Foalle inches away from getting a telling touch. 

In stoppage time, Atherton were awarded a penalty after Chris Reid had fouled Elliot Rokka. Initially, the referee had given a free kick on the edge of the box but after consultation with his assistant he gave the spot kick. Rokka stepped up but Lowson dived the right way to push the ball away, the rebound dropped to Rokka who fired his second effort out of the ground. 

The Highwaymen are next in action on Monday as they travel down to the North Yorkshire coast to face Whitby Town. Kick off is at 3pm. 

Morpeth Town: Lowson, Donaldson, Turner, Sayer (Taylor, 75’), J. Henderson (c), Reid, Foalle, Hodgson (Oliver, 83’), L. Henderson (Finnigan, 71’), Noble, Ramsey.

Subs not Used: Johnson, Walton.

Goals: Turner 1’, Donaldson 70’ (pen)

Atherton Collieries: Hutchinson, Smith, Peet (c), Doyle (Lenehan, 51’), Hansen (Lafferty, 46’), Battersby, Kershaw, Sephton, Glass (Gillian, 60’), Rokka, Cusani.

Subs not Used: Amado, Taberner.

Goals: N/A