Match Report sponsored by Northumbria Print
Morpeth recorded their second home win in a week with a 3-1 win over Mickleover on Saturday, writes Sam Donovan.
Andrew Johnson opened the scoring before Liam Henderson grabbed the first of his brace with A brace from Liam Henderson as well as Andrew Johnson netting his 20th of the season with Andrew Wright netting a penalty for Sports.
The visitors started the game well and Andy Dales let fly from distance but it was a comfortable save for Dan Lowson on 2 minutes.
Morpeth responded and Liam Noble fizzed an effort that narrowly cleared the bar with 8 minutes on the clock. Barely a minute later and Johnson curled an effort that went across the face of goal and narrowly missed the far post.
Lowson was called into action again on 11 minutes to produce a stunning save to deny former Swansea man Kemy Agustien who hit an angled drive that looked destined for the top corner.
On 37 minutes, Johnson had the ball in the net but the celebrations were cut short due to the offside flag.
Morpeth take the lead on 44 minutes when Johnson cut inside from the left wing and beat Jonathan Hedge at the near post.
The lead was doubled just two minutes into the second half as Joe Walton danced down the right and he cut the ball back to Liam Henderson who made no mistake from 6yds.
Morpeth looked to extend their lead but Johnson bent a free kick wide of the post from distance which had Hedge scrambling across the goal to see it bounce past the post.
Mickleover were given a lifeline back into the game on 64 minutes, George Milner was brought down in the area and Andrew Wright stepped up to convert despite Dan Lowson getting a hand on the penalty.
The goal rejuvenated Mickleover and they looked to level things up as Wright drove through challenges and into the area before hitting a rasping effort that Lowson palmned onto the roof of the net.
The two goal lead was restored on 75 minutes when a quickly taken free kick from Liam Noble released Johnson and the ball squirmed away from him and as Hedge tried to claim the ball, Henderson was on hand to poke the ball in.
Jeff Henderson headed over a Liam Noble freekick as Morpeth looked for the extra goal to cement their position.
The Highwaymen saw the game out and cemented their place in the top 10 of the table and still remain in the playoff hunt.
Morpeth are next in action at Craik on Saturday 26th March when they face Ashton United on Non-League Day.
Morpeth Town: Lowson, Walton, Forster, Oliver (Wombwell, 76’), J. Henderson, Morris, Ramsey (Foalle, 64’), Noble, L. Henderson, Donaldson, Johnson (Wales, 90’).
Subs not Used: Ward, Geliher.
Goals: Johnson 44’, L. Henderson 47, 75.
Mickleover: Hedge, Walker, Dolan, Butler, Mills, Augustien (Atwal, 90’), Radcliffe, Wright, Dales (Moore, 84’), Beavon (Davidson-Miller, 84’), Milner.
Subs not Used: Mann
Goals: Wright (p) 64’.
