Match Report: Morpeth Town 2 Stockton Town 1

Sam Hodgson and Nic Bollado were on the mark, with an Adam Nicholson close range effort just after half-time making for a nervy ending to the encounter at Craik Park.

The first of more, very welcome, clashes with North East sides at Step Three saw the Highwaymen make a few changes to their starting XI following a poor 4-0 defeat at Basford United.

In came fit again Josh Robson, in place of Vinnie Steels, at left-back, with Jack Foalle back in the squad after being unavailable for the previous two games.

Town, seeking to arrest a run of three straight opening losses, set about table-topping Stockton early doors and saw their first opportunity, on 10 minutes, blazed off target by Bollado.

But they wouldn’t make that mistake twice as, seconds later, they hit the front. A perfectly weighted ball down the right flank caught Lewis King out. Luke James, who was industrious throughout, darted down the flank, jinked past a challenge and delivered a cross from the right that found a completely unmarked Hodgson to head home his first of the campaign.

Taking the lead for the first time in a game this season, the Highwaymen had the wind in their sails and doubled their advantage four minutes later, through Bollado.

Again, James played his part, battling for possession on the edge of the box before toeing it to Will Dowling. He found Fenton John, who had the presence of mind to turn on the ball and float a ball into Bollado to head across the keeper and score.

The hosting Highwaymen were ticking over nicely by this point and could have added to their advantage 11 minutes later but after Hodgson’s ball round the corner released James down the flank once more, his cross just evaded Bollado charging into the area.

Trying to press home their dominance, Morpeth’s Hodgson saw his shot gathered by Morpeth Town Academy coach, and Stockton stopper, Nathan Harker on 36 minutes.

But it would be the last action of a first half that saw the hosts set about their opponents with an energy that unsettled them throughout. Although Stockton showed neat phases of play, they didn’t trouble Langley too much, with a near-post strike comfortably pushed away on 18 minutes being their best chance of the half.

The visitors needed a goal to galvanise their efforts and a quick start to the second half was required. It came in the form of a 48th minute Nicholson effort that reduced the deficit.

A corner in from the left wasn’t dealt with at the near post, allowing the ball to bounce across the goalmouth before Nicholson got there first to hit home from close range.

A moment that would change the tone of the game, Stockton stepped it up on the attacking front but, other than a few shots flying well wide of the target, they rarely troubled Langley.

Morpeth could, and should, have made it three on 65 minutes when Hodgson teed up Dowling on the edge of the box. With a clear sight of goal, the hard-working midfielder lashed past the post and wide as the chance passed by.

But the Highwaymen guided the game to a victorious conclusion and earned their first three points of the season.

Morpeth are next in action when they host Warrington Rylands on Saturday at Craik Park (3pm). Tickets are available on the gate, with cash and card accepted.

MORPETH TOWN: Langley, Evans, Robson, Dowling (Barlow 65’), Henderson (c), Buddle, Bollado (Foalle 64’), Hickey, Hodgson, John, James (King 90’).

SUBS: Steels, Wombwell.

STOCKTON TOWN: Harker, King, Baggs (Beddow 70’), Painter, Nicholson (c), Coulthard, Leech (Roberts 73’), Johnson (Henry 46’), Sweet, Fowler (Thompson 46’), Gallagher.

SUBS: Purewal.