EBAC Northern League Division One
Guisborough Town 4-1 Morpeth Town
Morpeth suffered only their second league defeat of the season, and their first away from home, at the hands of Guisborough Town at the KGV Stadium.
First half goals from strikers Stephen Snaith and Danny Earl gave the hosts a deserved half-time lead, but the Highwaymen bounced back early in the second half through Michael Chilton.
Despite having a strong wind at their backs during the second period, Morpeth were unable to score any further goals, with the Priorymen able to pick the visitors off on the break twice through Earl again and Curtis Round.
The home side broke the deadlock early, a failed clearance by the Morpeth backline tee’d up Snaith five yards out, the striker netting easily with half the goal to aim at.
Morpeth looked to get back into the game, but the Priorymen, with a very strong wind at their backs kept the league leaders penned in their own half, missing a number of opportunities to double their lead.
It took until eight minute before half time for Guisborough to extend their lead, Snaith beating Michael Hall on half way before running towards goal, beating a couple of defender before being brought down from behind by Hall. Earl stepped up to net from the penalty spot, leaving the Highwaymen with a mountain to climb.
Morpeth came out wth a fresh impetus in the second half, and put the host on the back foot immediately, James Novak’s left wing cross converted by Michael Chilton for his 19th goal of the season, 12th in the league.
But despite 20 minutes of constant Morpeth pressure, it was the home side who scored the next goal, Danny Earl scoring his 27th of the season after pulling away from his marker at the back post and heading home.
A fourth was added just before full-time, Curtis Round(ing) it off with a long range effort with his left that nestled in the back of the net. A day to forget for the Highwaymen.
