Match report proudly sponsored by Northumbria Print

Morpeth Town lost their Bank Holiday derby clash with South Shields on Monday, writes Sam Donovan.

Robert Briggs netted the only goal of a scrappy contest in the 73rd minute with other goal chances at a premium. 

Manager, Craig Lynch made two changes to the starting XI as he looked to build on Saturday’s 3-0 win over Hyde United. Ryan Donaldson and Connor Thompson came into the side at the expense of Connor Pani and Ben Ramsey.

South Shields had the better of the opportunities in the opening quarter of an hour with Martin Smith and Josh Doherty both sending efforts out of the ground. 

The Highwaymen had their first chance of the game on 17 minutes; Ryan Donaldson pinched a loose ball and as he looked to break through on goal, he was brought down by Dillon Morse who was given a yellow card. Liam Noble took the free kick but Myles Boney was able to gather the ball. 

It took until 26 minutes on the clock before there was the first effort on target. Robert Briggs looped a header at goal from just inside the area but it was comfortably taken by Dan Lowson. 

Each side had a further chance before the interval, Connor Thompson wasn’t able to get a telling touch onto a cross from Jack Foalle before Lewis Alessandra had a shot blocked.

Four minutes into the second half and the home side had appeals for a penalty turned away by the referee who deemed any contact between Foalle and Doherty to be accidental. 

The Mariners gradually took more control of the game and dictated possession without any real threats to Lowson in the Morpeth goal. 

On 64 minutes, the home side had the ball in the net. Lowson made a fantastic save to deny Michael Woods from close range, the loose ball pinged around the area and a clearance hit Briggs and went in. However, Woods was deemed to be interfering in play and the referee ruled the goal out. 

The goal arrived on 73 minutes. A long ball over the top from Martin Smith allowed Briggs to break forward and he lifted the ball over Lowson and into the back of the net. 

The home side had a couple of more half chances with Mackenzie Heaney and Alessandra missing the target when well placed. 

Despite going behind, Morpeth looked for a way back into the game. On 85 minutes, a long ball up to Dale Pearson was chested down to Ryan Donaldson but his volley was straight at Boney. 

A succession of corners in added time saw Lowson come up for them but the Highwaymen were unable to create the opportunity to get the leveller. 

Morpeth are next in action on Saturday when they welcome Warrington Town to Craik Park in the FA Cup. 

South Shields: Boney, Newton, Doherty, Liddle, Morse, Smith, Heaney, Woods, Hodgson, Briggs (McGowan, 90’), Alessandra.

Subs not Used: Gomes, Bodenham, McGeorge, Dobson. 

Goals: Briggs 73’.

Morpeth Town: Lowson, Wombwell, Reid, Sayer (Pani,74’), Henderson, Turner, Foalle, Noble, Pearson, Donaldson, Thompson.

Subs not Used: Geliher, King, Ramsey, Scott

Goals: N/A