Match report proudly sponsored by Northumbria Print

Two goals in eight minutes before half-time condemned Morpeth Town to a 2-0 defeat on the road at Warrington Rylands in the Pitching In NPL Premier Division.

The Highwaymen welcomed a raft of players back from injury, illness, and suspension, with Josh King and Ryan Donaldson bolstering the midfield, while Andrew Johnson, Ben Sayer, and Sam Fishburn returned to the bench after injury.

But Morpeth would be under pressure for the first 15 minutes as the home side sought a quick start. That nearly materialised on six minutes when Dean Furman was played through by a chipped through ball, only to slice his effort badly wide.

Rylands would go closer on 12 minutes when AJ Leitch-Smith struck the far post, with the effort rebounding before a follow-up strike was cleared off the line by Josh King.

Town were seeing plenty of the ball without that incisive final pass or shot to reward their efforts. It was symbolised in the 26th minute by a move that saw Connor Pani, who was popping up in useful pockets of space, show some quick feet to find Dale Pearson in behind. But his cut-back was off target and cleared.

Five minutes later and Morpeth threatened again when Pearson nodded a loose ball over the top of the defence, releasing Connor Thomson. His shot, after a delay, was blocked, before Donaldson’s drive from distance was gathered by Joel Torrance.

Just as Town were looking to navigate the game to half-time, they conceded on 37 minutes as Jordan Mustoe scored. The substitute reacted quickest after a shot hit the near post to smash a rising, deflected drive into the roof of the net.

Morpeth were rocked by the goal and conceded again on 44 minutes as Callum Dolan scored from the spot. That came after King brought the striker down in the box as he tried to get a toe on the ball to clear.

Town had an uphill task in the second half but started in encouraging fashion when Jeff Henderson flashed a fizzing drive just past the far post.

Johnson was then brought on for his first appearance of the season following double shoulder surgery after an injury sustained at Dunston in pre-season.

Seconds after his introduction, it would be Pearson who would go closest for the Highwaymen, latching on to Thomson’s low ball in from the right before striking wide of the near post from close range.

Johnson hit the post for the Highwaymen with a free-kick with 10 minutes to go, and substitute Kelly N’Mai was denied by a smart Dan Lowson save, as the game ended in defeat, a third straight loss for Morpeth.

Town are next in action when they welcome Belper Town on Saturday, for a game that will see live World Cup action on the big screens throughout the day and evening, with live music on stage straight after the final whistle. All of this is available for the price of a match day ticket.

Tickets are available online now and can be bought on the gate on the day (cash only).

WARRINGTON RYLANDS: Torrance, Duxbury, Vassallo, Hockenhull, Egerton, McCourt, Nield, Furman, Dolan, Leitch-Smith, Hayde.

SUBS: Mustoe, Pratt, Cooke, Hunt, N’Mai.

MORPETH TOWN: Lowson, Wombwell, Turner, King, Henderson, Morris (Robson 24), Foalle (Johnson 57’), Donaldson, Pearson, Pani (Fishburn 68’), Thomson.

SUBS: Ramsey, Sayer

ATT: 347