Match Report brought to you by Northumbria Print

The Highwaymen left it late but Liam Noble produced heroics once again to secure a 2-1 victory for Morpeth Town against a stubborn Grantham Town at Craik Park on Saturday afternoon writes Sam Donovan.

Jack Foalle had put Morpeth ahead in the first half as they dominated possession and territory but without creating too many clearcut opportunities. The Gingerbreads levelled things up midway through the second half with Michael Williams converting from the spot before Liam Noble produced his heroics. 

Morpeth continued to press high up and fashioned another opportunity on 14 minutes but the header by Foalle at the far post was straight at Render in the Grantham goal. 

Just past the half hour, Render was called into action again as he got down low to his right to push away a shot from Ben Sayer with the rebound falling to Andrew Johnson who saw his strike blocked. 

Johnson cut inside from the left wing but Render was equal to his curling effort on 33 minutes. 

For all of the possession that the Highwaymen had it took until the 36th minute for the opening goal. Sayer picked the ball up and turned to pick out the run of Foalle who was able to take the ball in his stride and round Render to slot the ball home. 

The Gingerbreads levelled things up on 65 minutes through Michael Williams who converted a penalty. A long ball over the top released Lee Shaw and he was brought down by Chris Reid who escaped with a yellow card. 

The visitors looked more dangerous as the half drew towards a close. James Williamson hit a low swerving effort that forced Lowson to push the ball behind for a corner. 

The Highwaymen knowing that three points were vital for their climb up the table began to push forward in the closing stages. Stephen Forster got to the byline and cut the ball back to Sayer who moved it on to AJ but his strike took two deflections and hit the post before striking Donaldson and going wide of the post. 

The game was won in the 89th minute and some might argue against the run of play in the second half when a clearance was headed only as far as Noble and controlled the ball on his chest before lashing the ball on the volley into the bottom corner giving Render no chance. 

Whilst the win may not have been the prettiest of wins, it shows the resilience of the side to fight until the final whistle and the progress made by the side since the beginning of the season. 

Morpeth are next in action on Saturday when they have a mammoth trip to face Bromsgrove Sporting in the FA Trophy. Kick off is at 3pm. 

Morpeth Town: Lowson, Walton, Reid, Sayer (Hodgson, 90′ J. Henderson (c), Morris (Phillips, 19’), Foalle, Noble, Johnson, Donaldson, Taylor (Forster, 71’).

Subs not Used: Oliver, Ramsey

Goals: Foalle 36’, Noble 89’.

Grantham Town: Render, Williamson (c), Adelekan, Grice (Williams, 46’), Eze, Clarke, Aydemir, Wright (Parkin, 46’) Shaw, Wafula, Orlando-Young (Latty-Fairweather, 46’).

Subs not Used: Pollard, Modest.

Goals: Williams 65’ (p)