Match Report proudly sponsored by Northumbria Print
Morpeth advanced to the FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round with victory over Bradford Park Avenue. Braces from Sean Reid and Joe Walton were enough for progression.
The home side were presented with an ideal chance to take the lead on only 3 minutes after Chris Reid was adjudged to have knowingly played the ball back to Dan Lowson who picked it up. Despite the protestations, Avenue had a free kick 7yds out; Lewis Knight rolled the ball back to Riccardo Calder and the fullback blasted the ball high over the bar.
Morepth took the lead on 9 minutes when a dinked ball over the top from Wayne Phillips allowed Liam Henderson to give chase. Despite being second favourite he beat Rhys Taylor to the ball and cut it back to Joe Walton who steered the ball home.
The home side quickly grew into the ascedancy; Calder proved a handful in the first half and the left back beat Walton to a long ball before stinging the palms of Lowson at the near post.
On 19 minutes, the home side should have levelled; Marcus Wood played the ball back to Brad Dockerty but the winger saw his strike come back off the frame of the goal.
Bradford did get the equaliser that they deserved when they levelled on 25 minutes. Calder who had already shown his intentions grabbed the goal as he cut inside the box and drilled his effort across goal and into the bottom corner.
With 32 minutes on the clock, Avenue should have taken the lead. Dan Sweeney was picked out unmarked 6yrds out but the on-loan Solihull Moors striker sidefooted wide with the goal gaping.
They were made to pay though just moments later when Sean Reid nodded home unmarked at the far post. Sean Taylor dinked the ball into the box and Reid had all the time he needed to put the Highwaymen back ahead.
Sweeney, frustrated with the lack of service in the first half, turned with the ball and hit one from 35yds but it was one bounce and into the arms of Lowson.
The hosts came back out for the second half with a spring in their step and Knight should have done better when he beat Chris Reid to the ball but the returning defender managed to the get the slightest of touches on the ball to make it easier for Lowson.
Josh Heaton who had been a peripheral figure throughout the game was cautioned on 56 minutes when he cynically blocked Shabz Mohammed as the youngster tried to race clear.
Worse was to follow as the centre half picked up a second yellow 7 minutes later. The defender barged Henderson over as the striker tried to get into the box. The referee took his time before brandishing a second yellow.
From the resultant free kick, Sean Reid sized up the chance and bent a superb strike into the top left corner which left Taylor grasping at thin air. As great as the strike was, the ball was on the side of the ‘keeper who should have done a lot better.
With the wind in their sails, Morpeth continued to press forward. Reid was denied his hat-trick when Taylor produced a finger tip save to divert the ball wide of the post.
The hosts reminded Morpeth that they weren’t finished when Dockerty again struck the post with an effort that Lowson got a slight touch on. The rebound fell to Ryan Cresswell who should have buried his effort but sent it closer to the corner flag.
Jack Foalle was a nuisance when he arrived on the pitch and was brought down by Mitch Lund. Mohammed took the free kick that Taylor could only parry straight onto the head of Foalle who saw his instinctive header come back off the bar.
With 3 minutes remaining, Town did grab their 4th goal. Collecting the ball on the edge of the box, he rolled his defender before drilling a low effort into the bottom corner.
The scoring wasn’t finished and Avenue grabbed a second through Dockerty as the game ticked into the 90th minute as he fired home a left footed shot.
Morpeth advanced to the next round despite not being at their best but were clinical when it counted to deservedly knock out opponents from a higher league.
The draw for the next round is on Monday lunchtime and we will bring you reaction when he have to our next opponents.
Town are in league action on Saturday when they face Stafford Rangers at Craik Park at 3pm.
Bradford Park Avenue: Taylor, Bazeley, Calder, Wood (c) (Holmes, 67’), Lund, Heaton, Knight Cresswell, 74’), Marriott (Johnson, 69), Sweeney, Hurst, Dockerty.
Subs not Used: Gibbons, Bennett, Moran
Goals: Calder 25’, Dockerty 90’.
Morpeth Town: Lowson, Forster, C. Reid (Mohammed, 55’), Phillips (c), J. Henderson, Turner, Taylor, Hodgson, L. Henderson (Foalle, 72’), S. Reid (McKeown, 78’), Walton.
Subs not Used: Harmison, Potter, Giles, Wilson.
Goals: Walton 9’ & 35’, S. Reid 35’ & 65’.
Attendance: 217
Man of the Match: Michael Turner.
