Match Report sponsored by Northumbria Print
Morpeth surrendered their long unbeaten league run as they lost 2-1 at home to Nantwich Town on Saturday writes, Sam Donovan.
Joe Cockerline was the hero for the Dabbers as he grabbed an early brace to condemn the Highwaymen to their first defeat in the league since October despite Liam Noble netting a penalty.
Morpeth started the game well and were on the front foot from the first whistle with Ben Ramsay looking particularly dangerous down the left for the Highwaymen.
However, it was the visitors who grabbed the opening goal on 2 minutes. Shaun Miller turned away in midfield and threaded a through ball for Cockerline which evaded Jeff Henderson and the striker raced away before calmly placing it beyond Dan Lowson.
Morpeth thought they should have been awarded a penalty on 5 minutes as Matty Devine went through the back of Jack Foalle in the box but the referee deemed the fullback to have played the ball despite vociferous appeals from players and the crowd.
Ramsay continued to be the tormentor in chief for Morpeth and he forced Matty Gould into a smart save at his near post.
The visitors buoyed by their early goal looked to break on the counterattack whenever the opportunity arose and they had another chance on 20 minutes. Akiel Raffie broke forward but the young winger fired his shot high over the bar.
Nantwich doubled their lead on 26 minutes and again it was Cockerline who got it. Shaun Miller was given too much time to float his cross into the area and Cockerline rose highest to flick the ball home with his head aided with a slight deflection.
The Highwaymen tried to respond and Ramsay once again delivered a delightful ball into the area. Liam Henderson tried to turn the ball home at the near post but was denied by Gould.
As the game ticked over into the half hour mark, Ben Sayer looped a header into the arms of Gould before Liam Noble sent a swerving effort over the bar.
The Dabbers went close to extending their lead on 36 minutes, Raffie got forward once again but his effort was parried by Lowson only as far as Miller but Lowson spread himself well and made a sprawling save.
Morpeth reduced their arrears on 43 minutes with Liam Noble netting from the penalty spot. Ramsay did well to twist one way and then the other to get away from Sky Sinclair before the defender brought him down. Noble stepped up and sent Gould the wrong way from 12 yards.
Morpeth began the second half on the front foot and won a series of corners as Ramsay was denied by Gould at the near post.
Liam Henderson thought he brought Morpeth level on 54 minutes as he headed home a free kick from Noble but the assistant had the flag raised for offside.
On the hour mark, it was the turn of the visitors to have their own free kick in a dangerous position. Matt Bell took this one and sent it into the wall.
Tommy Montefiori came off the bench for the visitors and looked dangerous as he cut inside from the right wing and shot goalwards which Lowson pushed out only as far as Cockerline. However, the striker was denied by Lowson who got back up and made a stunning save to deny the hat trick.
Morpeth continued to pour forward in search of the equaliser and Noble curled a free kick from 20 yards, inches wide of the post with Gould scrambling across the goal.
The was as close as Morpeth came to snatching an equaliser as they lost their first league game in 12 matches.
The Highwaymen are in action again on Tuesday evening when they welcome near neighbours South Shields to Craik Park, kick off is at 7.45pm.
Morpeth Town: Lowson, Forster, Phillips, Sayer, J. Henderson (c), Morris, Foalle (Taylor, 75’), Noble, L. Henderson (Finnigan, 65’), Oliver, Ramsey (Johnson, 65’).
Subs not Used: Turner.
Goals: Noble 43 (p)’
Nantwich Town: Gould, Sinclair, Devine, Bourne, Stair, Bell, Raffie (Montefiori, 54’), Miller (Bickerstaff, 61’), Cockerline (Malkin, 90’), Cooke, Robbins
Subs not Used: Heath, Edwards.
Goals: Cockerline 2’, 26’.
