REPORT: Sam Donovan
On a horrible day at Craik Park, Morpeth and AFC Mansfield lit the afternoon up as they played out an 11-goal thriller with the Highwaymen finally triumphing 8-3.
Town grabbed their goals with David Carson getting a hat-trick, Chris Reid bagging a brace and solo efforts from Sean Taylor, Jack Foalle and an own goal. Joe Iaciafano grabbed a hat-trick for the hardworking visitors.
Morpeth started on the front foot and deservedly took the lead in the 6th minute as Reid turned and fired home after a corner was cleared by the visiting defence.
The visitors thought they had equalised on 9 minutes when Iaciafano tapped home after Jordan Annable had forced Dan Lowson into a low stop. Unfortunately for the visitors, the linesman had his flag up for offside.
That bit of luck was crucial for the Highwaymen as they countered and doubled the lead through Taylor. The diminutive midfielder stooped home to nod home the ball after a cross was put into the box.
The visitors did halve the deficit on 18 minutes when Iaciafano slotted home following another great save from Lowson.
The two goal was restored just two minutes later when Jon D’Laryea glanced the ball past his own ‘keeper Jason White in the visiting goal from Ben Sayer’s cross.
The visitors were given the opportunity in the 38th minute to reduce the lead when Michael Turner clipped the heels of Iaciafano and the on-loan Northampton Town striker stepped up and rolled the ball down the middle of the goal with Lowson diving away to his left.
That wasn’t the end of the scoring in the first half with Carson grabbing his first goal in added time. Liam Henderson rolled the ball to Carson who advanced and smashed it home via the woodwork to make it 4-2 at the break.
Mansfield were awarded a second penalty in the 57th minute for some shirt pulling in the box, once again Iaciafano stepped up and this time he rifled it into the top corner to complete his hat-trick.
Reid was playing like a man possessed as he came forward and smashed an effort off the frame of the goal as he looked to restore Morpeth’s two goal cushion.
The decisive moment of the game came in the 77th minute as Reid hit the bar again but this time trying to head the ball back to Dan Lowson but his header looped over the ‘keeper and was scrambled clear.
The final 7 minutes were manic as a further four goals sealed the points.
Carson grabbed his second goal of the game when he drove the ball home from the edge of the area after good play from Sean Taylor on 83 minutes.
Foalle who had been introduced as a second half substitute chested the ball home on the line after Carson had lifted the ball over the ‘keeper.
The third penalty of the game was awarded to Town after Tom Potter was brought down by White has he rounded the ‘keeper. The referee decided it was a clear goalscoring opportunity and brandished the red card to Jason White to leave Mansfield a man down and having used all 3 substitutions. Carson made no mistake from the spot to complete his own hat-trick.
The final goal was the final act of the game as Morpeth countered from a corner and Reid who on another day may have had his own hat trick and an own goal saw the ball break back to him and he curled it into the back of the net.
The brave souls who made it to Craik Park were treated to a feast of football and a game that will live long in the memory. Morpeth are next in action on Tuesday night when they travel to Marske United in the Integro Cup (7.45pm).
The Highwaymen are in League Cup action on Tuesday evening when they travel to Marske before welcoming Cleethorpes Town to Craik Park on Saturday 8th December.
MORPETH TOWN: Lowson, Forster, Reid, Sayer (Graydon, 85), J. Henderson, Turner, Taylor, Phillips (c), Walton (Potter, 72) L. Henderson (Foalle, 72), David Carson.
SUBS NOT USED: Petrache, Mott
GOALS: Reid 6’ and 90’, Taylor 10’, OG 20’, Carson 45’, 83’, 88’, Foalle 85’.
AFC MANSFIELD: White, Marsden (Dear, 46), Dudley, Lindley (Buxton, 36), Annable, D’Laryea, Whaler, Broadhead, Ryan (Dawes, 77), Iaciafano, Ghaichem.
SUBS NOT USED: Wall, Burton.
GOALS: Iaciafano 18’, 38, 57’.
MAN OF THE MATCH: David Carson
ATT: 271
