EBAC Northern League Division One
Morpeth Town 2-1 Durham City
Ben Sayer (3), Michael Chilton (76); Callum Patton (74)
By Stuart Dick at Craik Park
Morpeth Town moved to the top of the EBAC Northern League Division One on Wednesday Evening after securing a 2-1 victory over Durham City at Craik Park.
Michael Chilton headed in the winner after the Durham ‘keeper could only parry away a powerful Ben Sayer shot straight to the Morpeth talisman.
Sayer had opened the scoring after just three minutes for the Highwaymen and dominated the majority of the game against the Citizens but were sucker punched in the second half when Callum Patton took advantage of the some poor defending.
The opening goal was well worked by the home side starting from ‘keeper Karl Dryden. The ball eventually found its way to the left wing with Luke Carr. The midfielder rolled the ball into the feet of Sean Taylor on the edge of the area who relayed to an onrushing Sayer who curled an effort into the far right hand corner of the net via the post.
Soon after a short corner caused problems for the visitors. Sayer and Carr combined before picking out Keith Graydon 25 yards out, the Morpeth skipper forcing a fine diving stop by Durham ‘keeper Thomas Flynn.
The one way traffic continued, Sayer nearly scoring direct from a corner, Flynn tipping over the save the embarrassment. The resulting short corner allowed Sayer another effort on goal, this time his shot went comfortably wide.
James Novak was next to try his luck after seeing Flynn off his line, but the left-back’s lofted effort was mishit and sailed well over the bar.
Sean Taylor nearly doubled the lead on 28 minutes when Morpeth opened up the Durham defence with a free-flowing move. Sayer picked up the ball on the left before beating two and finding Chilton in the penalty area. The striker back heeled into the path of Taylor who took a touch before trying to loft the ball over the diving Flynn, but the ‘keeper managed to do enough to deny a goal.
This led to a 30 second onslaught from Morpeth, the rebound dropped to Sayer who hit an effort straight at Flynn, the ball then fell to Chilton 15 yards out who rifled a right footed strike off the crossbar and out to the right with McAndrew. The winger cross but the defence did enough to deny Chilton from netting 6 yards out.
Durham had two opportunities late in the first half, but both of their efforts did not trouble Dryden in the Morpeth goal. There was still time in the half for Graydon to try again from long range, again his effort sailing just wide.
It was more of the same in the second half as Morpeth continued their domination. David Hiftle picked out the run of right back Stephen Forster with a long diagonal ball. Forster took into in stride before cutting in from the win, hitting a left footed effort towards the top left hand corner, Flynn leaping high to divert the ball wide.
Carr went close with a 25 yard free-kick from the right before Sayer forced a save with an identical kick from the left hand side.
Then Durham City midfielder Dan Dillon went in for a 50/50 with Graydon and came off worse for wear, breaking an ankle in the process, we wish him a speedy recovery.
Soon after the injury break the scores were level. The Highwaymen had a number of chances to clear the ball but failed to do so allowing Callum Patton to pick up the ball in the area. His turn and shot went through the legs of a Morpeth defender, wrong footing Dryden as the ball rolled into the bottom right hand corner.
The Highwaymen re-took the lead within five minute, however, the short corner working a treat again. Sayer and Carr combined before Sayer rushed into the penalty area, hitting a powerful right footed effort at goal, Flynn parrying straight onto the head of Chilton who guided the ball home.
Deep into injury time Durham nearly stole a point as a long range free-kick was spilled twice by Dryden, but was able to gather the ball at the third attempt.
