Match report proudly sponsored by Northumbria Print
The 10 men of Morpeth Town came from a goal down to secure a share of the points at Gainsborough Trinity in the Pitching In NPL Premier Division.
Clayton Donaldson opened the scoring on 68 minutes for Trinity, only for Connor Thomson to restore parity two minutes later.
The game started in timid fashion, with the Highwaymen happy to ease into their evening’s work. It allowed Jack Dyce, the tricky winger who caused problems throughout the first half before fading in the second, to have a few chances in the first 15 minutes, tamely shooting at the hugely impressive Dan Lowson in the visiting goal two minutes in before being denied twice in quick succession by some outstanding Lowson reflexes.
Curtis Durose drove straight at Lowson on 21 minutes before Donaldson, clean through after Andrew Wright’s through ball, saw a shot superbly smothered by the on-rushing Lowson.
Despite being on the receiving end of the majority of the chances early doors, Morpeth were more than holding their own, passing comfortably between defence and midfield without finding that incisive final moment.
It was a pattern that needed to change, with Durose spurning two further opportunities before half-time. In contrast, Sam Fishburn, a game runner all evening, wasn’t getting the service to provide a real threat.
Town were looking just as comfortable as they did in the first half in the early stages of the second, but Hayden Cann looped a header over from close range as Gainsborough threatened once more.
Then came a pivotal moment in the game, one that injected a sense of urgency into both sides. After seeing a loose ball in midfield, Chris Reid lunged in on George Hornshaw, a reckless challenge that deserved the straight red card brandished in his face on 62 minutes.
From a position of comfort, the Highwaymen found themselves behind on 68 minutes as former York City striker Donaldson struck from close range, a backheel flick from five yards out finding the net from Durose’s ball across.
The lead, though, lasted all of 120 seconds as Morpeth responded in quickfire fashion through Thomson. Liam Noble was provider, arcing a free-kick from deep into the back post. That found a Morpeth head across goal and there was Thomson, unmarked and all on his own, to sidefoot into an empty net to equalise.
His sixth goal of the season put us back on level terms, and the 10 men of Morpeth would see the game out with some superb defending – Callum Morris putting his body on the line to block while Jeff Henderson was absolutely brilliant from start to finish – to earn a share of the spoils.
Morpeth are next in action on Saturday, 5th November when they host Marine at Craik Park.
GAINSBOROUGH TRINITY: Yates, Hornshaw (Keto 63’), West, Wright, Cann, Cogill, Durose, Shrimpton (Cursons 86’), Donaldson, Waldock, Dyce (Lewis 80’).
SUBS: Bojang, Minkley
MORPETH TOWN: Lowson, Wombwell, Reid, King, Henderson, Morris, Foalle, Noble, Fishburn (Pani 83’), Donaldson, Thomson.
SUBS: Ramsey, Robson
ATT: 403
