Match report proudly sponsored by Northumbria Print
Morpeth Town held on for a battling point at home to Bamber Bridge as they missed the chance to go top of the Pitching In NPL Premier Division.
They had led since the 21st minute when Sam Fishburn netted, only for Jeff Henderson to be dismissed on 70 minutes for a straight red card. That changed the game, with Fin Sinclair-Smith scoring with 15 minutes to go.
Morpeth tweaked the line-up slightly from the 3-0 win at Stalybridge Celtic at the weekend, with Ben Sayer and Chris Reid both injured, leading to the return of Connor Pani and Josh Robson while Callum Morris was dropped to the bench with Michael Turner coming in. Ben Ramsey made way for the returning Jack Foalle
The Highwaymen were up against, arguably, one of the best sides they’ve faced at Craik Park this season as Bridge knocked the ball around confidently with an agile midfield constantly a source of industry and energy.
But it was the Highwaymen, currently ruthless in front of goal, who took full advantage of one of their first chances of the game on 21 minutes. A ball down the left side went through the legs of right back Oli Patrick, allowing Connor Thomson to speed in behind and cross for Fishburn. With the keeper out of position at his near post, the striker slotted into an empty net for his second goal in three days.
It gave Morpeth the lead but didn’t change of the complexion of the game as Bamber saw most of the ball with Town working diligently without it to press and hassle.
An array of routine saves and deflected shots followed as the first half neared a conclusion, but Morpeth should have been two to the good by half-time, but for the width of a post. Jack Foalle sent a cross in and Matthew Thomson, impressive throughout, sliced his clearance across goal and off the far post on 39 minutes.
The second half was much the same, with the Highwaymen looking relatively comfortable and allowing Bamber to have the ball but keeping hold of their lead.
That was until the 70th minute and the game’s turning point. Captain Henderson was the man sent off for a debatable red card challenge which the referee gave immediately. There didn’t seem much, if any, contact as Danny Forbes fell to the ground after a sliding challenge from the defender, but the decision stood and Town faced the final 20 minutes, plus extensive stoppage time, with 10 men.
Defending valiantly and working their socks off, Morpeth did concede on 75 minutes as Sinclair-Smith was played in down the right side of the box before slotting the ball into the far corner to equalise.
Sprinting back to kick-off, Bridge sensed a winner against a Town side that had run themselves into the ground. But with a late, late stoppage time toe poke from Sinclair-Smith, that was pushed clear by keeper Dan Lowson, the only real chance to show for the visitors’ efforts, the game would end in a share of the spoils.
MORPETH TOWN: Lowson, Robson, Wombwell, King (Morris 68’), Henderson, Turner, Foalle, Donaldson, Fishburn (Pearson 68’), Pani, Thomson.
SUBS: Ramsey
BAMBER BRIDGE: Goddard, Patrick, Skinner, Thomson, Wilson, Pond, Green (Riding 79’), Perkins, Sinclair-Smith, Forbes, Ratchford (Alabi 58’(V.Green 63’)).
SUBS:
ATT: 374
