Match Report proudly sponsored by Northumbria Print
Morpeth suffered a home defeat for the first time in over a year when they lost 4-1 to Ashton United on Saturday. Despite going behind early on, the visitors rallied and ran riot in the second half.
The Highwaymen got off to the perfect start with Jeff Henderson nodding home on 4 minutes. A free kick was awarded on the edge of the box after Josh Wilson handled a cross. Liam Noble dummied the ball before playing it into the box and captain for the day Henderson broke clear of his man and headed home.
Jack Foalle had a great chance to double the lead on 8 minutes when he raced through on goal but the Ashton ‘keeper Greg Hartley pulled a great stop to deny the forward. The ball dropped to Joe Walton but he couldn’t divert the ball back to goal.
The visitors began to work their way back into the game and on 18 minutes it took a last ditch block to deny Liam Tosnett from debutant Ryan Hutchinson.
Ashton drew level on 36 minutes and it was a wonderful strike from midfielder Sam Sheridan who from all of 30 yards arrowed a rising drive into the top corner.
Morpeth had the perfect opportunity to regain the lead 2 minutes later when Jack Foalle was bundled over in the penalty area, Joe Walton stepped up but saw his penalty saved as Hartley guessed correctly to make the save.
The final chance of the half feel the way of Sean Taylor but his cross-shot was tipped over the bar by Hartley. From the corner, Walton nodded the ball back across goal but Foalle couldn’t turn the ball home.
The second half began in complete contrast from the first with the Robins in almost complete control. Dan Lowson made a good block with his body to deny Josh Wilson at the far post.
Town did create a couple of half chances with Foalle inches away from sliding the ball home from Taylor’s cross before he sliced an effort wide.
On 64 minutes, the visitors took the lead as Ben Hardcastle was picked out at the back post and his downward header nestled in the bottom corner.
Their lead was extended on 71 minutes when Tomsett was bundled over in the area by Liam Noble and the Ashton captain Wilson made no mistake. Lowson was unlucky as he dived the right way but the penalty snuck in.
Just when Town didn’t think it could get any worse it did as Louis Almond hit a shot that deflected up off a defender and crept underneath the cross bar to make it four.
Morpeth almost grabbed a consolation goal in added time but the returning Carl Finnigan saw his strike slide wide of the far post.
Town begin their defence of the Northumberland Senior Cup when they entertain Whitley Bay at Craik Park. Kick off is at 7.45pm.
Morpeth Town: Lowson, Forster, Reid, Noble, Hutchinson, J. Henderson, Taylor, Hodgson (Finnigan, 71’), Walton (Harmsion, 71’), Mohammed (Sayer, 66’), Foalle.
Subs not Used: Robson, Walker.
Goals: J. Henderson 4’.
Buxton FC: Hartley, Lufudu, Pritchard (Rigby, 86’), Wilson (c), Hunt, Rowney, Brewster, Sheridan, Almond, Hardcastle (Tames, 80’), Tosnett (Rodney, 71’).
Subs not Used: Hughes, Havern
Goals: Sheridan 36’, Hardcastle 64’, Wilson (p) 71’, Almond 76’.
Attendance: 652
