Match report proudly sponsored by Northumbria Print
Morpeth Town suffered a second defeat in four days on the road with a 2-1 loss at Marske United in the Pitching In NPL Premier Division.
Kev Burgess and Adam Boyes had the hosts in a commanding position by the 59th minute, with Jeff Henderson’s stoppage time goal a mere consolation.
Both sides went into this one knowing the importance of it, with Marske in the bottom four and Morpeth sitting just above it.
The Highwaymen, who made one change from the 2-1 loss at Lancaster City by bringing in Ben Ramsey for Connor Thomson, were the brighter from the off, seeing plenty of the ball and looking inventive in attack.
Ramsey shot straight at Oli Swann in the Marske goal in the seventh minute, with Burgess responding by blasting over a minute later for the home side.
On a bitterly cold night on Teesside, the first goal was always going to be crucial and it should have gone the way of Morpeth, but Jack Foalle was denied as his fierce near post drive was saved by Swann on 14 minutes.
It was the best chance of the game, which hit a lull before the first goal on 42 minutes. Burgess rose highest from a corner to nod home across the keeper and give his side a half-time lead.
By this point the home side grew into the game and scored again on 59 minutes. Boyes found the net from close range after Connor Smith broke through two Morpeth challenges in the area to set him up.
Ben Sayer’s 66th minute free-kick was pushed wide by the goalkeeper and Matty Cornish was denied by a smart two-handed stop by Swann in stoppage time as Morpeth sought a foothold in the contest.
It would arrive on 94 minutes as Henderson headed home a Sayer corner but it was too late to prevent defeat on their travels.
Morpeth are next in action when they welcome Warrington Town to Craik Park (3pm) on Saturday. Tickets are available online and also on the gate on the day (cash only).
MARSKE UNITED: Swann, May, Chimalilo, Kennedy, Burgess, Cunningham, Smith, Clark, Boyes, Horbury, Church (Payne 81’).
SUBS: Hope, Storey, MacDonald, Yaqub.
MORPETH TOWN: Lowson, Robson, Pye, Donaldson, Henderson (c), Turner, Cornish, Sayer, Foalle (Thomson 72’), Ramsey (Fishburn 60’), Johnson.
SUBS: King, Anderson, Lancaster.
ATT: 403
