Match Report proudly sponsored by Northumbria Print
Morpeth survived another red card to claim another valuable 3 points as they defeated an in-form Hyde United at Craik Park on Tuesday evening.
Joe Walton opened the scoring on 13 minutes before the tally was doubled by Liam Henderson. Chris Reid saw red for a challenge with 5 minutes of the first half remaining before Tom Pratt halved the deficit in the second half.
The opening opportunity of the game went the way of Carl Finnigan on 7 minutes. Walton slipped the ball inside and Liam Noble dummied the ball to Finnigan but his low shot was straight at Allinson in the Hyde goal.
The Tigers responded 2 minutes later but Tom Pratt was unable to take advantage of a long ball before curling an effort high over the bar.
Only a minute later and Pratt had another chance and this time he forced Dan Lowson into a smart save as the ‘keeper dived low down to tip the ball away.
Morpeth should have taken the lead on 12 minutes but Finnigan was unable to get enough power on his shot to get it over the line. A ball from Walton, released the striker who rounded Allinson and a covering defender slipped but Jordan Fagbola was able to get back and clear off the line.
The miss wasn’t to prove costly as Morepth took the lead a minute later through Walton. He grabbed his 16th of the season as his low angled drive went across the ‘keeper and went in via the inside of the post.
The intensity of the game then dropped before the Highwaymen doubled their lead on 27 minutes. A corner from Noble was allowed to bounce inside the area and Henderson pounced at the back post to rifle it into the top of the net.
Pratt should have pulled a goal back on 31 minutes but when he was played through by Ashley Young, he couldn’t find the net as Lowson stood tall and made a great block to deny him.
The game took a decisive turn on 37 minutes when Chris Reid was given his marching orders for a challenge. Prior, to that the sending off Ndiaye should have scored but was again denied by Lowson.
On the stroke of half time, the game could have been put to bed but Finnigan saw his shot cannon back of the post and back to Henderson who on the stretch could only see his shot blocked on the line.
There was still time in the half for the Tigers to register another effort with Liam Tongue seeing his drive from the edge of the box saved by Lowson.
10 minutes into the 2nd half and Ndiaye slalomed his way through a couple of challenges as he approached the area but his low effort was straight at Lowson.
The visitors took their on 61 minutes but there was an element of good fortune to it. Kyle Brownhill shot and despite it going wide, it deflected off Jeff Henderson into the path of Pratt and he tucked the ball home.
Lowson was called into the action again with 10 minutes remaining but he was equal to fierce drive at his near post to push the ball to safety.
As the game drew towards its conclusion, Jack Foalle had the chance to wrap things up in the 6th minute of added time but after steaming clear, he could only roll the ball wide of the far.
In the end, the chances didn’t prove costly as Morpeth held on to record their 2nd win of the week and close the gap on the teams above them.
There is another game at Craik Park on Thursday evening with Stalybridge Celtic the visitors to Northumberland. Kick off is at 7.45pm.
Morpeth Town: Lowson, J. Henderson, Reid, Noble, Hutchinson (Williams, 33’), Turner, Walton, Hodgson, L. Henderson (Taylor, 82’), Finnigan (Foalle, 67’), Phillips (c).
Subs not Used: Forster.
Goals: Walton 13’, L. Henderson 27’.
Hyde United: Allinson, Roscoe, Brownhill, Young (York), McCombe, Fagbola, Lane (Dyche) (Adams), Tongue, Sharp, Pratt, Ndiaye
Subs not Used: Dean, Hodges.
Goals: Pratt 61’.
Man of the Match: Dan Lowson
Attendance: 420
