Match Report proudly sponsored by Northumbria Print
The Highwaymen moved into the next round of the Buildbase FA Trophy with a comprehensive 6-1 victory over Cleethorpes Town.
A brace from Sean Reid helped Morpeth on the road to victory with further goals from Jeff Henderson Liam Noble, Wayne Phillips and Sean Taylor. Scott Vernon had given the hosts a shock lead after Oli Donald’s 3rd minute red card.
The game got underway in bright autumnal sunshine despite an earlier pitch inspection, it looked in great condition.
A long ball over the top cleared the head of Oli Donald and the centre half pulled down Jack Foalle on the edge of the area as the forward look to take advantage. The referee gave himself thinking time before producing the red card and giving Cleethorpes a significant uphill task.
From the free kick, it was played short and ended with Foalle nodding the ball over the bar at the back post.
The visitors were forced into a defensive reshuffle and changed to a 4-4-1 formation; Morpeth were having a lot of joy down the flanks and it was Sean Taylor who forced the first save. He cut infield and forced Theo Robinson into a smart save at his near post.
With 20 minutes on the clock, there was another moment of controversy involving Foalle. The striker was clear on goal and rounded Robinson before going to ground. Foalle appealed for a penalty but the referee saw it differently and cautioned the striker for simulation.
The next attack on 23 minutes saw Craik Park stunned into silence with the visitors taking the lead. Curtis Bateson clipped the ball over the Morpeth defence and Scott Vernon galloped clear before calmly lifting the ball over Dan Lowson.
Parity was restored on 32 minutes, Sean Reid grabbed the equaliser as he chested down a delightful ball from Liam Noble before turning and smashing the ball past Robinson.
Morpeth took the lead on 40 minutes when Sean Taylor slotted the ball home after Reid had turned provider.
The Highwaymen added a third before the interval with Jeff Henderson pouncing on a loose ball in the box following some pinball from a corner. Foalle had an initial effort which was screwed across goal and Henderson turned it home.
It could have been 4 just before the interval as Foalle somehow turned the ball over the bar from 4yds out after Chris Reid had fizzed a cross in from the left.
The second half got underway in the same fashion as the first half had ended with Morpeth scoring two quick goals.
The first arrived through captain Wayne Phillips on 48 minutes. A dangerous corner from Taylor was headed towards goal by Henderson but Robinson made the save. The loose ball was hammered home by Phillips as he finished from 6yds.
On 50 minutes, Reid grabbed his second of the game. Chris Reid whipped in a cross that was flicked on by Taylor and Reid finished with aplomb at the back post.
Morpeth continued to press for further goals and in round 2 of the battle between Richardson and Taylor, it was the ‘keeper who came out on top again with a save at his near post.
The final goal arranged in strange circumstances as Noble grabbed his first for the club. Morpeth won a free kick on the edge of the box and whilst Robinson was arranging his wall, Noble curled the ball home. There was no real protests from Cleethorpes and the goal was given.
The Owls still kept coming forward as they looked to reduce the arrears. With 12 minutes remaining, Bateson curled his free kick on to the cross bar with Lowson still setting up his wall. The irony of the situation was that the referee brought the ball back as he wasn’t ready.
The final chance of the game feel the way of the visitors on 85 minutes with the impressive Bateson flying down the right before clipping an effort over Lowson but it landed on the roof of the net.
Regardless of playing against 10 men for 87 minutes, the Highwaymen produced a dominant and incisive performance that was fully merited by 6 goals.
On Saturday, Morpeth face Witton Albion at Craik Park in league action. Kick off is at 3pm.
Morpeth Town: Lowson, Walton, C. Reid, Noble (Ramsey, 81’), J. Henderson, Turner, Taylor, Hodgson, Foalle (Harmison, 67’), S. Reid, Phillips (c) (Potter, 74’).
Subs not Used: L. Henderson, Forster, Giles, Wilson.
Goals: S. Reid 32’, 50’, Taylor 40’, J. Henderson 43’, Phillips 48’ Noble 73’.
Cleethorpes Town: T. Richardson, Marshall, Oglesby, Davies (Buckley, 65’), Lowe (c), Donald, Batty (Clappison, 65’), J. Richardson, Vernon (Boswell, 65’), Collins, Bateson.
Subs not Used: Walker.
Goal: Vernon 23’.
Attendance: 502
Man of the Match: Liam Noble
