Match Report proudly sponsored by Northumbria Print
A long trip to Derbyshire on a cold Tuesday night saw Morpeth take a point back from their trip to Matlock. It was an entertaining game that could have been won by Morpeth who created late chances and dominated for long periods of the game.
Marcus Marshall opened the scoring for the hosts before a late leveller from Ryan Hutchinson ensured a share of the spoils. However, this doesn’t tell the whole story as both sides finished the game with 10 men. Spencer Harris was sent off in the first half for trying to headbutt Carl Finnigan before Stephen Turnbull saw red for a lunge on Jude Oyibo.
The game didn’t exactly burst into life but the home side registered the first effort in the 6th minute but Marcus Marshall fired his shot wide of goal.
Morpeth responded on 9 minutes when Stephen Turnbull was brought down 20yds from goal as he rampaged forward. Liam Noble took the kick, and he curled it over the wall but drew a great save from the Matlock ‘keeper Trenerry who tipped it behind for a corner.
The next chance of the game fell the way of the Highwaymen as Ryan Hutchinson put a beautiful ball into the area but Liam Henderson sent a looping header over the crossbar.
Next it was the turn of the home side to launch an attack as Alex Byrne, recently signed from Buxton to step inside before curling an effort that crashed off the bar and rebounded to safety after 24 minutes.
The hosts started to exert some pressure in the game as it drifted towards the interval but it was Morpeth who went close to opening the scoring on 39 minutes when Jeff Henderson flicked a corner on at the near post but no one was able to get a touch as they arrived at the far post.
The biggest talking point of the game arrived on 44 minutes when Matlock were reduced to 10 men. Spencer Harris was given his marching orders after attempting to headbutt Carl Finnigan; despite the protestations of the player and fans that Finnigan simply “ran into my face” fell on deaf ears.
The hosts started the second half in the ascendancy as Marshall hit the woodwork as a poor defensive clearance presented him with the opportunity.
Morpeth responded immediately as per the course of the match as Finnigan was denied by a superb save from Trenerry.
The Gladiators opened the scoring on 53 minutes as Marshall took advantage of some poor defending to put the 10 men ahead.
The game was levelled at least in terms of the number of players as Stephen Turnbull is shown a straight red card for lunging in on Oyibo.
Trenerry made 2 stunning stops to deny Morpeth an equaliser as firstly, Stephen Forster angled a drive that took a heavy deflection but the ‘keeper saved before denying Finnigan from a corner.
Former Belper Town player Pitou Crouz nearly doubled the lead for the home side on 77 minutes but he dragged his effort wide.
Morpeth deservedly levelled on 79 minutes when Ryan Hutchinson netted his first goal for the club as he converted from a corner.
As the game ticked into added time, Hutchinson nearly grabbed his second goal of the game but he was inches away from getting a telling touch onto the end of Sean Taylor’s flick.
The final effort of the game fell the way of Morpeth in the 95th minute when Jack Foalle saw his goal bound effort deflect wide when it look destined for the back of the net.
In the end, it was a share of the points for the Highwaymen who will perhaps feel they could have taken all three points.
Morpeth return to home action on Saturday when they welcome Witton Albion to Craik Park on Saturday. Kick off is at 3pm.
Matlock Town: Trenerry, Yates (c), Wiley, Dean, Harris, Gooda, Byrne, Valentine, Marshall (Chilaka, 83’), Tague (Gordon, 46’), Oyibo (Crouz, 62’)
Subs not Used: Poole, Chilaka, Wilson.
Goals: Marshall 53’,
Morpeth Town: Lowson, Hutchinson, Reid (Walton, 67’), Noble, J. Henderson (c), Turner, Forster (Taylor, 81’), Hodgson, L. Henderson (Foalle, 76’), Turnbull, Finnigan.
Subs not Used: Williams, Mohammed
Goals: Hutchinson 79’.
