Morpeth Town welcome Newcastle Benfield to Craik Park (7.30pm) on Wednesday looking to rectify Saturday’s defeat at Newton Aycliffe. Eager to continue their impressive home form, The Highwaymen will need to be at their best to keep free-scoring striker Paul Brayson at bay.
SNAPSHOT PREVIEW
FORM: Morpeth have lost two of their last three league games but, put in another perspective, have only lost three times in 32 outings in EBAC Northern League Division One. Their home form is a consistent strength, with a 15-match unbeaten streak allowing them to claim 13 victories at Craik Park. No other side has an unbeaten home record and only Stockton Town (45) can better Morpeth’s 42 home league goals to date. Factor in the best home defensive statistics and Town are a formidable away day for any side.
Newcastle Benfield have won four of their last six in the league but still sit 13th with a raft of games in hand on sides around them following their exploits in various cup competitions this season. Eleven goals in their last four league outings highlights the threat they pose, with the likes of former Morpeth men Jake Orrell and Luke Carr causing opponents problems. The main threat for the Lions is Paul Brayson, a player who has 19 league goals and a staggering 17 cup goals this campaign.
LAST GAME: Morpeth Town suffered consecutive away defeats for the first time this season when losing 2-1 at Newton Aycliffe. The hosts took a 10th minute lead through Thibault Charmey, but Liam Henderson cancelled that out with a header two minutes later. The latter was sent off before Charmey struck again with four minutes to go as Aycliffe ended the game playing against nine men following Stephen Forster’s stoppage time red card.
Newcastle Benfield last played in the semi-finals of the Techflow Group Senior Cup, losing 3-0 to Newcastle United Under-23s on Friday night.
KICK OFF TIME: 7.30pm
WHERE TO WATCH: Craik Park, Morpeth, Northumberland.
SAT NAV: NE61 2YX
