Match Report brought to you by Northumbria Print
Morpeth went out of the Northumberland Senior Cup on Tuesday evening as Blyth Spartans took their chance to win 1-0 at Craik Park writes Sam Donovan.
Substitute Connor Thomson scored seconds after coming on as he found the bottom corner on 70 minutes.
The first chance of the game came the way of Morpeth on 3 minutes as Ben Ramsey got the better of Rhys Evans down the right before hitting a low cross that just evaded Jack Foalle at the far post.
Morpeth continued to press forward and after 8 minutes, they went close again, this time Foalle was the architect as he crossed to the back post for Connor Oliver but the midfielder was could only loop his header over the bar.
As the game ticked over onto the quarter hour mark, there was action at both ends of the pitch. A long ball over the top released Foalle who looked to reach the ball before Alex Mitchell but the Spartans goalkeeper was able to reach the ball first. The long ball down field from Mitchell released Dan Maguire and the prolific striker reached the ball but Callum Morris got back to make a terrific block to deny the attempt.
The Highwaymen continued to be the better side and fashioned the next opportunity on 25 minutes, Stephen Forster played a lovely ball into the feet of Liam Henderson who turned on a sixpence but dragged his shot across the face of goal.
On 32 minutes, Town went close again as a free kick was played into the area and Jeff Henderson got his head on the end of the ball into the box but Mitchell was able to take the save comfortably.
Blyth went close to taking a spectacular lead on 35 minutes, a loose ball broke the way of Micheal Liddle and the fullback looked up before pinging an effort from all of 40 yards that narrowly cleared the bar after spotting Lowson off his line.
There was chances at both ends just before the interval, first Maguire worked some space on the edge of the penalty area but he pulled his shot across the face of goal and then Liam Henderson released Foalle but shot inches wide of the post.
The Highwaymen started the second half as they had spent most of the first which was in the ascendancy. Foalle and Henderson continued their fluent linkup play with the former crossing for the latter but the volley was tipped over by Mitchell.
Spartans looked to gain a foothold in the game but it took until the 61st minute for them to fashion their next opportunity but it was curled over the top by JJ O’Donnell.
Connor Oliver did well to win a corner with a great show of persistence on 67 minutes, from the corner the ball pinballed around the area and Ramsey saw his shot trickle past the post.
Blyth took the lead on 70 minutes, Liddle did well down the left wing and he got to the touchline before cutting the ball back to Connor Thomson who took a touch before steering his effort into the bottom corner.
Morpeth continued to press for what would have been a deserved goal but lady luck deserted them on this occasion. Ramsey placed an effort over the bar after Foalle had gone past Liddle.
There was to be few chances as the game approached the 90th minute, Liam Henderson sent a header at goal but it was easy for Mitchell whilst at the other end, Corey McKeown slalomed his way forward but his rising strike cleared the bar.
Morpeth Town: Lowson, Forster, Phillips (Turner, 79’)), Sayer (Finnigan, 79’), J. Henderson (c), Morris, Foalle, Noble, L. Henderson, Oliver, Ramsey (Taylor, 77’).
Subs not Used: N/A
Goals: N/A
Blyth Spartans: Mitchell, Evans, Liddle, Maguire (Dale, 89’), O’Donnell (c), McNall (Thomson, 67’), McKeown, Painter (Reid, 67’) Deverdics, Lees, Almond.
Subs not Used: Watson, Hickey
Goals: Thomson 70’.
