Match Report brought to you by Northumbria Print
Morpeth produced a complete performance to record a comprehensive victory over Gainsborough Trinity at Craik Park on Saturday writes Sam Donovan.
Goals from Liam Henderson and Ben Ramsey sealed the points for the Highwaymen as they controlled the game from start to finish.
Morpeth made a fast start with Ben Ramsey seeing a goalbound header blocked by Joe Wilson after only 20 seconds.
The opening goal of the game arrived on 9 minutes with Liam Henderson scrambling home a loose ball following a corner from Liam Noble. The ball into the area caused havoc as it bounced into the 6yd box and Henderson was well placed to force the ball over the line.
Gainsborough slowly grew into the game and on 17 minutes, Bradley Grayson went close from a free kick but Dan Lowson got down to his right to push the ball away.
Morpeth responded and on 21 minutes, Ryan Donaldson saw his strike deflect and land on the roof of the net after good play from Jack Foalle who outmuscled two defenders before crossing for Henderson to set up Donaldson.
On 26 minutes, Matthew Yates came to the fore with an absolutely stunning save to Jack Foalle who volleyed at goal from the 6yd line but the ‘keeper reacted to stop the volley with one hand.
The game was nearly level on 37 minutes as Grayson made space in the area and curled an effort that beat Lowson but came back off the crossbar.
The Holy Blues sensed a little bit of an opportunity and Lowson had to be alert to tip over a header from Neal Bishop following a corner on 38 minutes.
Yates continued to keep his side in the game on 40 minutes as he made another smart stop to deny Sam Hodgson. The ball was recycled and the midfielder headed narrowly wide of the post when the ball came back into the box.
A minute later and Yates again made another terrific save this time denying Ramsey. A long ball over the top from Micky Turner released Ramsey and he thumped a volley that smashed into the chest of Yates.
The second half continued in the same format as the first with Morpeth well on top. Ramsey doubled the lead on 53 minutes as he kept his cool to slot the ball beyond Yates. Reid went rampaging forward down the left and his cross into the middle was helped on by Henderson and Ramsey did the rest.
On 63 minutes, Micky Turner glanced a header wide from a corner after Noble had put another ball into the area that was right on the money.
A minute later, Henderson saw his shot blocked and the rebound fell kindly for Foalle but he pulled his strike across the face of goal.
On 67 minutes, Town had the opportunity to wrap the game up from the penalty spot. Chris Reid slalomed through four challenges of the Trinity defence and he had his heels clipped. Donaldson stepped up and the impressive Yates dived the right way and pushed the ball away.
On 69 minutes, Foalle shot on the volley after watching the ball drop out of the sky but Yates was once again equal to it. Play switched from one end to the other as Lowson was equal to a fierce shot from Declan Bacon.
With a little under 20 minutes remaining Foalle saw a fierce strike crash off the crossbar as Morpeth continued to assert their dominance.
Liam Henderson may have had a hattrick on another day as he headed straight at Yates on 81 minutes and then again on 89 minutes as a mistake from Lewis Butroid let in the striker but Yates made the save.
Morpeth were able to see out the game comfortably and climb higher up the league table.
Morpeth are on the road on Saturday when they travel across the Pennines to face Witton Albion.
Morpeth Town: Lowson, Walton, Reid, Sayer (Oliver, 68’), J. Henderson (c), Turner, Ramsey, Noble, L. Henderson, Donaldson, Ramsey (Johnson, 74’)
Subs not Used: Phillips, Taylor, Forster
Goals: L. Henderson 9’, Ramsey 53’.
Gainsborough Trinity: Yates, Wilson, Gould (Keane, 65’), Minkley (Butroid, 45’), Bishop, Rice, Woolerton, Hornshaw, Makama, Grayson, Morrison (Bacon, 53’).
Subs not Used: Jemson, Fraiwald.
Goals:
