Match Report brought to you by Northumbria Print.

The Highwaymen tasted defeat at Craik Park on Saturday afternoon as a brace from Callum Saunders on his debut for Witton Albion gave the visitors the points, writes Sam Donovan. 

Jeff Henderson smashed home for the Highwaymen to give them the perfect start but the visitors hit back with a goal in each half from Saunders. 

Morpeth began the game on the front foot and forced a series of corners from which they look the lead from their 4th of the game in the 7th minute. Liam Noble delivered the ball to the far post where Sean Taylor met it with his head and forced Greg Hall into a smart save. The loose ball dropped the way of Jeff Henderson who lashed the ball home.

The lead didn’t last long though as Witton levelled things up on 13 minutes. Jawad Jebrin was given too much space down the flank and his cross picked out Callum Saunders who volleyed a low effort beyond Dan Lowson. 

The visitors had an opportunity on 19 minutes but a free kick from James Hooper deflected off the wall and went behind for a corner. A succession of corners followed but Morpeth were able to defend them stoutly. 

Morpeth after starting the game on the front foot were struggling to fashion opportunities with the best chances falling to Ben Ramsey on 28 minutes who saw his effort deflect wide. From the corner, Connor Oliver smashed his volley wide of the post. 

Just before the interval, The Highwaymen had a good chance to regain the lead as Ryan Donaldson was checked on the edge of the box. Liam Noble took the free kick and forced a low save from Hall. 

Oliver showed the intent of Morpeth on 50 minutes as he saw his strike from the edge of ‘D’ deflect wide of the post for a corner. 

The visitors took the lead on 51 minutes as they countered from a Morpeth corner. A loose pass was picked up by Jebrin and he slipped the ball through to Saunders who kept his composure to dink the ball over the onrushing Lowson. 

Morpeth piled on the pressure as they looked for an equaliser with Carl Finnigan being inches away from getting a touch to a cross from Ryan Donaldson. 

Albion showed their threat on the break as James Hooper blazed wildly over the bar when well-placed. 

Just before the hour mark, Noble fizzed a low effort wide of the post and then Finnigan glanced a header wide of the post from the next attack. 

In the 78th minute, Saunders tried to flick a header over Lowson but the ‘keeper made a great stop to tip the ball away. 

Town continued to press as they looked for an equaliser in the final 10 minutes. Jack Foalle saw an effort hammer into the chest of Hall. Andrew Johnson then volleyed a shot into the surface which bounced in the arms of the ‘keeper. 

Morpeth are back at Craik Park on Tuesday when they entertain Lancaster City. Tickets are available online and can be bought with cash on the gate. 

Morpeth Town: Lowson, Donaldson, Turner, Phillips (c), J. Henderson, Morris, Taylor, Oliver (Sayer, 51’), Finnigan (Foalle, 60’), Noble, Ramsey (Johnson. 55’).

Subs not Used: Walton, Reid.

Goals: Henderson 7,

Witton Albion: Hall, Nugent, McKenna (Leigh, 63’), Woodthorpe, Hopley, Sutton, Jebrin, Owens, Hooper, Saunders (McNulty, 90’), Foley.

Subs not Used: Paterson, Gill.

Goals: Saunders 13’, 51’