Match Report brought to you by Northumbria Print.
Morpeth suffered a third defeat in a week as they went down 2-0 at Stalybridge Celtic on Saturday writes Sam Donovan.
A brace of headers from Ioan Evans in the 13th and 76th minutes were the undoing of the Highwaymen who had a goal from Liam Henderson chalked off in the first half.
Both sides traded early opportunites with Callum Harris firing over for the home side and Liam Henderson and Ben Ramsey unable to keep their efforts on target as Morpeth replied.
The opening goal of the game arrived on 13 minutes and once more it was a set piece that caused the danger. Stephen Brogan delivered a deep inswinging corner which was headed home by Ioan Evans at the far post from 4 yards out.
The goal bouyed the home side and they had another opportunity on 18 minutes which was saved by Dan Lowson after the ball had broken kindly for Harris just outside the area.
On the half hour mark, Celtic had another chance as Charley Doyle escaped the attention of Town’s defence and cantered forward before seeing his drive smash off the inside of the post and bounce out of play.
Morpeth continued to push forward and Henderson again lifted an effort over the bar despite the pressure of Keenan Quansah.
Dan Lowson was forced into a save on 37 minutes as Scott Bakkor spun on the edge of the box and hit a first time effort that drew a great save from Lowson who tipped the ball behind.
Morpeth thought they had levelled things up just before the interval but their joy was short lived as Henderson was flagged offside as he slotted the ball home into the bottom corner.
Morpeth came out fired up for the second half and had a couple of great chances to level things up 5 minutes into the half. Sam Hodgson nodded the ball infield to Liam Noble who was given space to carry the ball and he arrowed a shot for the top corner but a sprawling save from Grant Shelton denied him. From the resulting corner, Henderson had his header blacoked on the line by Shelton.
On 58 minutes, Callum Morris making his first appearance in a Morpeth shirt headed over the bar after another pinpoint delivery from Noble.
The Highwaymen continued to apply pressure for a deserved equaliser but lady luck desserted them as Shenton made another great save to deny Jack Foalle before Foalle was inches away from sliding home a cross from Henderson.
The home side grew into the half as the game wore on as Ashley Smith-Brown fired wide of the near post before Scott Bakkor saw a shot deflect off Morris and wide of the post.
With a little over 20 minutes remaining, Morris had scored but at the wrong end as he diverted a header beyond Lowson but the referee had spotted a foul by Bakkor on the centre half and rightly chalked it off.
Stalybridge grabbed their second of the game and it was a carbon copy of the first as an inswinging corner was met by the head of Evans and he headed home from the centre of the goal.
The home side could have added a third in stoppage time at the end of the game but substitute Keano Deacon burst forward before seeing his shot take a knick and wide of the post.
Morpeth have their first home game of the season when they welcome Bamber Bridge to Craik Park. Tickets are on sale through the club website as we look to welcome a bumper crowd. Kick off on Tuesday is at 7.45pm.
Stalybridge Celtic: Shenton, Smith-Brown, Brogan, Evans, Quansah, O’Halloran, Doyle, Wedgbury, Ryan (Awe, 71’), Bakkor (c) (Padden, 80’), Harris (Deacon, 80’).
Subs not Used: Barlow, Nyaupembe
Goals: Evans 13’, 76’
Morpeth Town: Lowson, Forster (Walton, 63’), Reid, Hodgson, J. Henderson (c), Morris, Foalle, Noble (Sayer, 57’), L. Henderson, Donaldson, Ramsey (Johnson, 78’).
Subs not Used: Finnigan, Turner.
Goals: N/A
