Match report proudly sponsored by Northumbria Print

Morpeth Town fell to a fourth straight defeat as Belper Town triumphed 2-0 at Craik Park in the Pitching In NPL Premier Division.

The Highwaymen have been struggling for goals of late and failed to register once more as Ethan Cartwright and Shaun Tuton scored in the second half to secure victory for the visitors.

The hosts welcomed back Andrew Johnson after a four-month injury lay-off following double shoulder surgery, as well as Ben Sayer to the starting line-up.

The impact was nearly immediate as Sayer’s floated ball over the full-back brought Johnson in behind the defence. However, after cutting inside, he bent a shot just past the far post.

Dale Pearson so nearly latched on to a loose ball in the box on 12 minutes, but, after Chris Reid’s knockdown, he couldn’t force a shot goalward to do any damage.

As the game wore on, Belper were seeing more of the ball and should have been ahead on 31 minutes when a header from a set-piece was somehow kept out by keeper Dan Lowson at full stretch.

With both sides looking well-matched heading into the second half, the first goal was going to be a crucial aspect of a tight game. That came on 54 minutes through Cartwright. The midfielder reacted quickest to a ball dropping at the near post to lash a shot past Lowson.

It gave the away team the lead, but that was nearly wiped out on 61 minutes when substitute Sam Fishburn thumped a near post rising drive off the woodwork.

Then came the decisive second goal on 75 minutes as Tuton drove forward on the counter, dropped his shoulder before smashing a shot under Lowson and into the far corner.

Substitute Ben Ramsey was denied when in behind by Belper’s keeper on 89 minutes, but it wouldn’t have changed matters as the Highwaymen’s afternoon ended in defeat.

Morpeth are next in action when they travel to Guiseley for a 12.30pm kick-off on Saturday. Live 90-minute commentary can be found on our Mixlr page from 12.25pm.

MORPETH TOWN: Lowson, Wombwell, Reid, Sayer, Henderson, Turner, Thomson, King (Foalle 62’), Pearson (Fishburn 58’), Donaldson, Johnson (Ramsey 76’).

SUBS: Robson, Pani

BELPER TOWN: Davison-Hale, B.Middleton, Rhodes, H.Middleton, Wilson, Jordan, Tuton, Cartwright, Mangham, Gratton, Litchfield.

SUBS: Reaney, Tempest, Woodcock, Peel-Evans, Moore.

ATT: 355