Match Report sponsored by Northumbria Print

Morpeth ended their season with a draw at Atherton Collieries on Saturday, writes Sam Donovan. 

Bailey Geliher on his first start for the club in the league netted the opening goal on 22 minutes as he turned the ball home but Atherton levelled in the second half through Ethan Kershaw. 

The home side had the first chance of the game but a free kick from outside the area was curled into the arms of Dan Lowson from Gaz Peet. 

Morpeth went ahead with their first chance of the game on 22 mintues. A deep cross from Ben Ramsey was played back across goal from Andrew Johnson and Geliher was on hand to turn the ball home from 6 yards out. 

Town continued to look dangerous and could have gone 2-0 up but were denied by Taberner who pushed an effort away from Johnson. The ball dropped for Ramsey but he was unable to find the net on the rebound. 

Taberner has to be alert on 29 minutes as Geliher continued his fine performance as he got past his man and forced Taberner to make a stop with his legs. 

James Hooper should have levelled for Atherton on 32 minutes but after breaking clear of the defence he lobbed the ball over Lowson but also over the bar and onto the roof of the net. 

Morpeth started the second half in control of the game and had Atherton penned back in their own half as they struggled to clear the ball with the wind as it began to play a bigger part on the game. 

Collieries levelled things on 59 minutes as Ethan Kershaw was able to dance through the Morpeth defence before shooting across goal and into the far corner. 

Morpeth wanted a penalty on 65 minutes as Peet and Joe Walton tangled in the area but the referee waved away the appeals and instead gave a corner. Ben Sayer delivered the corner and Walton headed narrowly over the bar.

Johnson went close to putting Morpeth back ahead on 72 minutes but his header from a corner was chested off the line by Danny Lambert. 

Atherton should have taken the three points but Hooper missed a gilt edged chance as he fired straight at Lowson before the rebound was blocked on the line by Jeff Henderson in the 87th minute. 

In added time, Atherton went even closer through Elliott Rokka who saw Lowson produce a fine fingertip save to tip the ball onto the bar. 

Atherton Collieries: Taberner, Smith, Peet, Lambert, Lafferty (c), Defreitas-Hansen, Kershaw, Lenehan, Hooper (Daniels, 86’), Smith (Rokka, 80’), Cusani.

Subs not used: Smith, Battersby, Fannon.

Goal: Kershaw 59’.

Morpeth Town: Lowson, Walton, Turner, Sayer, Henderson (c), Wombwell, Geliher, Oliver, Johnson, Donaldson, Ramsey (Phillips, 46’).

Subs not Used: Morris, Reid, Foalle.

Goal: Geliher 22’