Match Report proudly sponsored by Northumbria Print
Morpeth got a much needed 3 points as they won 3-1 against Radcliffe at Craik Park on Saturday afternoon.
Carl Finnigan opened the scoring before Liam Henderson doubled the tally. Jack Foalle sealed the win stoppage time after Matt Hughes had made it 2-1.
Town got off to the perfect start when they opened the scoring on 7 minutes. Dan Lowson knocked the ball long which Henderson nodded down the ball down to Finnigan; the striker lobbed the ball over the advancing ‘keeper and despite the best efforts of Raheem Hanley the ball crossed the line.
The visitors tried to respond immediately with Darren McKnight who took aim from fully 40 yards but his swerving effort smashed off the crossbar and left it shaking with Lowson looking on.
After a frantic opening, the game settled but the next chance arrived on 27 minutes. Micky Turner collided with Liam Ellis on the edge of the area; Callum Dolan had a go with the free kick but Lowson was able to push the shot clear.
On 32 minutes, Dolan again had an effort which was again saved by Lowson. This time, Lowson saving with his feet as the visitors grew into the game.
After grabbing an early goal in the first half, the same thing happened in the second with Henderson doubling the lead on 50 minutes. He saw an initial strike blocked before the ball was recycled and with his second opportunity he calmly slotted the ball into the far corner.
The visitors stepped things up as they tried to get back into the game. On 56 minutes, Lowson was forced into another smart save this time denying Matty Wolfenden from close range.
Boro gave themselves a lifeline, Morpeth failed to clear a setpiece and when McKnight crossed into the area, Matt Hughes crashed home a header from inside in the 6yd box that went in off the underside of the bar.
The visitors continued to press in their quest to get back on level terms as Javid Swaby-Nevain weaved his way across the 18yd box but he dragged his shot wide of the far post.
The Highwaymen were looking to put the game to bed and came close to doing so in the 83rd minute as Turner saw his headed blocked on the line by Oliver Martin.
As the game neared added time, Morpeth continued to push forward. Joe Walton screwed a shot wide with his left foot before Jack Foalle got clear only to see Martin push his effort to the side and then claim the loose ball.
The game was sealed in the final minute of added time when Foalle got on the end of another knockdown from Henderson and he curled the ball home beyond the dive of Martin.
In the end, it was a game Morpeth deserved to win but it shows the character and resilience of the squad to withstand pressure from the visitors and be clinical when chances presented themselves.
The Highwaymen are back in action at Craik Park on Tuesday evening when they welcome rivals South Shields. A huge crowd is expected so get down early for the 7.45pm kick off.
Morpeth Town: Lowson, Forster, Reid, Noble, Hutchinson, Turner, Taylor (Foalle, 78’), Hodgson, L. Henderson, Finnigan (Turnbull, 59’) Phillips (c) (Walton, 36’).
Subs not Used: J. Henderson, Mohammed
Goals: Finnigan 7’, Henderson 50’, Foalle 90+3’.
Radcliffe: Martin, Hanley, Swaby-Neavin, Hughes, Grogan, McKnight, Dolan (Hellawell, 85’), Winter (c) (Crothers, 52’), Ellis, Wolfenden, Rokka (Hughes, 52’).
Subs not Used: Brown,Caton.
Goals: Hughes 73’.
Man of the Match: Liam Henderson
Attendance: 510
