Match Report brought to you by Northumbria Print
Morpeth Town made it 7 games unbeaten with a comprehensive display over Mickleover on Saturday writes Sam Donovan.
A brace from Andrew Johnson plus further strikes from Ben Sayer and Sam Hodgson sealed a scintillating win in Derbyshire. It was also a story of what if as, there were numerous other chances for the Highwaymen to win by a bigger margin.
The Highwaymen got off to a flying start as Andrew Johnson opened the scoring on 5 minutes. A raking ball over the top released Jack Foalle who cushioned the ball into the path of Ben Sayer who’s cross was flicked into the top corner at the near post by Johnson.
The lead could have been doubled on 13 minutes as Johnson was released from a quick free kick from Liam Noble but he couldn’t beat the advancing Hawkins.
On 16 minutes the lead should have been extended after Foalle was hauled down by Ben Lewin and from the resultant free kick, Liam Noble rattled the base of the post.
The second goal arrived moments later and it was Johnson again. This time he glanced home a header into the far corner after an inviting cross from Joe Walton.
The home side thought they had pulled a goal back through Declan Bacon but he had already fouled Callum Morris in the buildup.
Ben Sayer grabbed the third goal on 26 minutes; Micky Turner went rampaging forward and he teed up Sayer who saw his initial effort blocked before nodding home the rebound.
The home side continued to press for a goal to get themselves back into the game as Andrew Dales tried to curl an effort into the corner but Turner was on hand to volley the ball away.
In added time, Johnson had another great opportunity to wrap up his hat trick as a long clearance downfield from Lowson released the in form forward but after rounding Hawkins he wasn’t able to find the back of the net from a tight angle.
Early in the second half, Bacon again went close to getting his side back in the game but he headed wide after Lee Holmes had dug out a cross.
The second half wasn’t as eventful but Morpeth stayed in cruise control and were able to add a fourth in added time. The returning Sam Hodgson bent an effort away from Callum Hawkins and into the bottom corner, giving the ‘keeper no chance.
The fourth goal had arrived after Holmes had been given an early bath. He had been cautioned in the first half for clipping the heels of Ryan Donaldson before getting his second yellow for a crunching challenge on Chris Reid.
The win was no less than Morpeth deserved as a dominant display was rewarded with a third successive victory to get arguably the biggest week of the season so far.
Morpeth make the short trip to South Shields on Tuesday evening as they face off against their local rivals. Kick off is at 7.45pm.
Mickleover: Hawkins, Bennett, Lewin, Warren (c) (Agustien, 56’)), Butler, Bateman, Dales, Ravenhill, Mills (Wright, 46’)), Bacon (Barker, 60’), Holmes.
Subs not Used: Satchwell, Mann.
Goals: N/A
Morpeth Town: Lowson, Walton, Turner, Sayer, J. Henderson, Morris, Foalle (Ramsey, 60’), Noble (Hodgson, 70’), Johnson, Donaldson, Phillips (c) (Reid, 77’).
Subs not Used: Walker.
Goals: Johnson 5’, 19’, Sayer 26’, Hodgson 90’.
