Match Report proudly sponsored by Northumbria Print

Morpeth edged an intriguing game with Nantwich Town at Craik Park on Saturday afternoon. Ben Harmison scored the only goal of the game in the 77th minute to give Town the perfect start to their December. 

The game began at a frenetic pace as both sides looked to secure a vital three points to keep up with the team ahead of them.

The influential Micky Turner had the first chance of the game as he met Liam Noble’s out swinging corner but headed over the bar. Turner did well to beat the visiting ‘keeper Greg Hall to the ball but couldn’t direct the header goalwards. 

The visitors responded and had a couple of halfhearted penalty appeals as Sean Cooke and then Callum Saunders both went to ground but neither was a penalty and the referee rightly waved away the appeals. 

It was a feisty opening to the game with both sides getting stuck into challenges and Troy Bourne earned the first yellow as he slid into a challenge. 

The visitors started to press forward and Turner had to get his head to cut out a dangerous cross before Caspar Hughes forced Dan Lowson into a smart save lowdown to his left.

On 18 minutes, Sean Cooke twisted and turned in the box before winning a corner; it dropped to Saunders in the area but he missed his kick allowing the Highwaymen to clear. 

As the game ticked past the halfway point of the half, the perseverance of Chris Reid won a corner and again Turner beat Hall to the ball. 

The visitors continued to create the clearer chances and a low, fizzing cross from Matty Devine eluded the lurking Joe Malkin at the far post. 

The clearest chance of the game fell the way of the Dabbers on 43 minutes as Malkin was able to beat the offside trap before his touch let him down in the box and Turner was able to get back and make the block. 

Saunders had the opening chance of the second period when Hall launched a quick counterattack and the winger cut inside before forcing Lowson into a great save to tip away his swerving effort.

Morpeth responded and on 61 minutes Tom Potter cut inside his marker but on his left foot his strike dipped wide of the far post.

The turning point of the game arrived on 68 minutes with the introduction of Ben Harmison. The big striker was able to give Morpeth a presence upfront and to try and get the ball to stick.

It was another substitute Callum Williams who got involved straight away as he delivered a good cross into the box for Jack Foalle but the striker wasn’t able to get his shot on target. 

The only goal of the game arrived on 77 minutes and it was another fantastic delivery from Williams who delivered the ball to the back post where Chris Reid climbed highest to nod the ball down for Harmison to stab the ball past Hall.

The goal gave Morpeth the confidence to come forward and Sam Hodgson seeking his first goal for the club hit a low effort on 80 minutes that forced Hall into a save.

There was to be more anxious moments as the powerful Ricardo Fuller barged his way into the box and his low cutback evaded everyone as bodies threw themselves at the ball to try and get a telling touch. 

Again, the Highwaymen came back at the visitors; another corner was met by Turner who came closer on this occasion but his header crashed back off the bar before being scrambled clear by the defence. 

The visitors had two chances in added time to snatch an equaliser; firstly, Joe Mwasile was unfortunate to deflect a goal bound effort into the arms of Lowson before Devine flicked his header over the bar with the last action of the game. 

In the end, Morpeth were rewarded for their attacking endeavours and defended resolutely to withstand some serious pressure as the game wore on.

The Highwaymen are on their travels next Saturday when they make the long trip to face Grantham Town. Kick off is at 3pm. 

Morpeth Town: Lowson, Thackray, C. Reid, Noble, J. Henderson, Turner, Forster (Williams, 74’), Hodgson, Foalle, Phillips (c) (Turnbull, 87’), Potter (Harmison, 68’).

Subs not Used: Mohammed, Reid.

Goals: Harmison 77’.

Nantwich Town: Hall, Bourne, Devine, Davis, Langley, Harrison (Stair, 40’), Lawrie, Hughes (c), Malkin (Fuller, 56’), Cooke, Saunders (Mwasile, 76’).

Subs not Used: Walsh, Saxon.

Goals: N/A

Man of the Match: Michael Turner

Attendance: 395