The Highwaymen started their Northern Premier League Premier Division campaign with a very impressive victory over a strong Warrington Town side.
A goal of the season contender from Sean Reid, a fine header by Jack Foalle and Ben Harmison’s first competitive touch as a Town player grabbed the points with Mark Roberts reducing the arrears.
The game started with Morpeth on the backfoot as Dylan Vassallo and Josh Amis combined with the former seeing his shot smothered by the imposing figure of Dan Lowson after only 3 minutes.
Morpeth replied with Michael Turner heading over form a corner after Tom Potter had done well down the left.
Lowson and Turner were both aware to thwart danger as the Yellows piled on the pressure as we approached the quarter hour mark.
On 18 minutes, once again Morpeth responded and Joe Walton volleyed an effort on goal that was blocked by Steven Jennings.
Half an hour into the game, the best chance of the half fell the way of Potter who was picked out by Kris Thackray who was making his Morpeth debut. Potter charged into the box and beat Jennings but blasted his effort over the bar.
Warrington hit back and Tony Gray should have done better when he was unmarked at the far post but his header was off target.
Just before the interval, Jack Foalle who was playing on the right wing today volleyed an effort that was saved well by the home ‘keeper Tony McMillan.
Morpeth took the lead in first half added time with a beautiful strike from Sean Reid that will win the majority of goal of the season contests. A free kick was headed clear but only as far as Reid who was 35yds from goal; he volleyed the ball into the bottom corner with McMillan diving helplessly.
The lead was doubled only 2 minutes into the second half with Jack Foalle rounding off a great team move. Adam Carden was attacking but kicked the ground as he tried to play a pass allowing Turner to play the ball down the line for Liam Henderson. He raced forward before standing a cross to the far post that was guided back across goal and into the far corner.
Warrington who had lost their opening game of the season last season to the eventual champions Farsley Celtic pressed forward in search of goals.
On 58 minutes, Alex Byrne was blocked by Jeff Hendeson which was followed by handbags but when play got back underway the hosts wasted the free kick.
Lowson was called into action again on the hour mark when a snapshot by substitute Jack Mackreth was tipped over the bar.
It was a busy few minutes for Lowson as he raced to the edge of the area but was beaten to the ball by Gray. From the resulting free kick it was taken again by Byrne and again wasted by the winger.
Morpeth responded and Reid could have had his second of the game but he blazed his effort over the bar when the ball broke for him in the box.
The pressing from the home side was rewarded on 66 minutes when captain Mark Roberts headed home from a Byrne corner at the far post.
Stephen Forster had an opportunity to seal the points in the final 5 minutes after Henderson played the ball into the replacement but he rifled his strike straight at McMillan.
It was to be Liam Henderson’s last invovlement in the game but his replacement did make the game safe as he lashed home a loose ball in the box. A corner from the right was met by Turner who saw his header blocked on the line before Harmison rifled it home.
There was still a chance for Warrington to get another goal back as Byrne curled a corner to the back post and Ben Garrity failed to connect properly and the ball rebounded off the post.
The performance today showed another side to this Morpeth side who produced a resolute but clinical performance to win at one of the main contenders for promotion this season.
The Highwaymen are in action again on Tuesday evening when they welcome Lancaster City to Craik Park in their first home game at this level.
Warrington Town: McMillan, Carden (Beeley, 52), Duggan, Jennings, Roberts (c), Raven (Chadwick, 72), Byrne, Garrity, Amis, Gray, Vassallo (Mackreth, 39).
Subs not Used: McCarten, Sephton.
Goals: Roberts 66’.
Morpeth Town: Lowson, Walton, Turner, Phillips (c), Thackray, J. Henderson, Foalle (Mohammed, 78), Hodgson, L. Henderson (Harmison, 87), Potter (Forster, 68).
Subs not Used: McKeown, Petrache
Goals: Reid 45+1’, Foalle 47’, Harmison 88’.
Attendance: 447
Man of the Match: Michael Turner.
