Match Report proudly sponsored by Northumbria Print

The Highwaymen won for the fifth time in six games on Saturday as they beat basement boys Stafford Rangers at Marston Road. 

Liam Henderson and Chris Reid bagged the goals that secured another vital 3 points as Morpeth continue to climb up the league. Josh Burns made things easier for Town when he was shown a red card for an off the ball incident with Carl Finnigan in the second half. 

The hosts got the game underway and had an immediate opportunity as a long ball over the top wasn’t dealt with and Bradley Grayson got into the area. The striker went down under slight pressure form Jeff Henderson but the referee rightly waved away the half-hearted penalty appeals.

Chris Reid playing as a left wingback had the first opportunity of the game but his shot on the turn was straight at the Rangers ‘keeper Lewis King. 

Liam Henderson opened the scoring on 15 minutes when he finished with his second bite of the cherry. Sam Hodgson headed the ball forward and Henderson got clear of the defence but his initial shot blocked by the body of King. The ball rebounded to Henderson who met it with a diving header and sent it into the back of the net. 

On 18 minutes, the lead should have been doubled through Carl Finnigan as he watched the ball drop over his shoulder but could only volley the ball wide of the post. 

Stafford could have levelled on 27 minutes when Jonathon Moran met a corner his header and whilst his header was missing, Daniel Burns ensure it went over the bar when he powered it over at the far post. 

Morpeth had another opportunity to double their lead on 31 minutes but Jeff Henderson and Reid got in the way of each other and the former’s header was gathered by King.

Grayson had a trio of chances to get Stafford back on level terms but on each occasion his chance was wasted. He firstly fired over the bar when the edge of the area, his second opportunity saw him lose control of the ball before drilling a low cross that was cleared. His final chance saw him kick the ball off his standing foot and saw it trickle out of play. 

4 minutes into the second half and Reid was cautioned for simulation in the area. Once again, the consistency of the decisions was lacking as Grayson was lucky to avoid the same fate in the first minute.

The lead was doubled on 56 minutes when Reid rose highest at the back post and headed the ball low into the bottom corner from a Ben Sayer free kick. Moments earlier, Henderson was unlucky to see his shot saved by King. 

Just before the hour mark, things were made easier for Morpeth with Josh Burns being dismissed for barging into Finnigan in an off the ball incident. There was little in the way of complaints from the hosts.

Morpeth continued to press forward in search of further goals, Henderson beat King to a stray ball before he laid the ball back to Reid who saw his effort blocked. 

Stephen Forster playing in an advanced position stung the palms of King as they looked to turn their dominance into further goals. At the other end, Jake Charles headed over the bar as Stafford looked to get back into the game. 

On 73 minutes, Dan Lowson was forced into a tremendous stop when he denied Grayson after the wind caught the ball. Grayson got clear of the last defender and arrowed a low drive destined for the bottom corner but Lowson was equal to it as he tipped the shot around the post. 

With 4 minutes remaining, Morpeth looked destined for their third goal but Henderson was hauled to the ground in the area by Matt Hill. Inexplicably, Hill was only shown a yellow card and a free kick outside the area was given. The free kick was played to Henderson but he was again denied by King. 

Morpeth are in action at Craik Park on Tuesday evening when they welcome Stalybridge Celtic. Kick off is at 7.45pm. 

 

Stafford Rangers: King, Burns, Hill, Moran (c) (Coulson, 83’), Burns, Harvey, Grayson, Thornley, Charles, Diau (Garnett, 78), Sherratt (Cuff, 55’).

Subs not Used: Bignot, White.

Goals: N/A

Morpeth Town: Lowson, Turner, Reid (Walton, 78’), Noble, Hutchinson, J. Henderson, Forster, Hodgson, L. Henderson, Sayer (c) (Turnbull, 74’), Finnigan (Foalle, 71’).

Subs not Used: Williams, Mohammed.

Goals: L. Henderson 15’, Reid 56’.

Man of the Match: Ryan Hutchinson

Attendance: 407