Uphill battle can’t deny Highwaymen victory

By Stuart Dick, Head of Media, (@StuOnSport)

It was a game of two halves at Sandygate as Morpeth Town advanced to the FA Vase Third Round with a 4-0 win over Hallam FC.

Kicking against the considerable slope in the first half, Morpeth were under the cosh for large parts of the period, Karl Dryden making a couple of excellent saves to keep Town level.

But in the second half the Highwaymen showed why they were the FA Vase Winners, netting four times thanks to a Steven Anderson brace, a Matty Grieve header and a Liam Henderson goal in injury time.

174 days after Keith Graydon and Christopher Jewels lifted the famous Buildbase FA Vase, The Highwaymen were back in action, looking to become only the second club in the Vase’s history to retain the trophy.

In May, Morpeth Town defeated highly favoured Hereford FC 4-1 at the famous Wembley Stadium, and on Saturday their 2016/17 campaign started at another famous football ground, Sandygate in Sheffield, the oldest football ground in the world.

Hallam FC the opposition, the hosts on a 13-match unbeaten run in the North East Counties League Division One, a tier below the EBAC Northern League Division One.

On arrival, it was clear that the Highwaymen faced an uphill battle, at least for 45 minutes, the Sandygate pitch has a 10-foot slope from one goalmouth to the other.

The coin toss saw Morpeth kick up the slope in the first period and created the first opportunity of the game, Paul Robinson able to find space on the left, but his curled effort was comfortably saved by Dale Darwent.

At the other end a long throw by Max Pemberton caused problems in the Town area, Jake Currie heading the ball towards goal, Karl Dryden able to save.

The hosts physical play gave Morpeth several opportunities to pump balls into the box. On one such occasion Ben Sayer’s free-kick from the right was glanced over by Robinson.

Three minutes later in the 21^st minute, Robinson found the back of the net from another set piece, but the other officials flag was raised, the decision offside.

Hallam looked a threat from their own set pieces, a corner saw Jed Phillips pull away at the back post, but he was unable to hit the target with his header.

A continuous decision arose with half an hour played, Darwent picked up the ball and threw the ball out of the play to receive treatment, however, he forget he’d already picked up the ball and an indirect free-kick was given.

Keith Graydon hit the free-kick towards goal, deflecting around the penalty area, the referee inexplicably awarding a free kick the other way as Morpeth hadn’t played a pass before the shot, the referee apologising soon after for his mistake, but nonetheless the chance was gone.

Soon after a free kick was awarded at the bottom of the hill for the hosts, James Reed curling the effort over the wall towards the bottom left hand corner, Dryden catching the ball on the dive.

Hallam continued to press to end the first half, Michael Turner’s last ditch header denying a chance on goal.

Then one minute before the break Dryden was called into action again, Currie latching onto the ball to the left of the six-yard box, Dryden making himself big enough to turn the ball behind.

The second half say the Highwaymen start strongly, Liam Henderson inexplicably nodding the ball wide of an empty net from eight yards out.

But Morpeth didn’t have long to wait for the opener, Michael Turner’s long throw from the left missed by Darwent, Grieve with the simple task of heading home for the lead.

The goal rejuvenated the hosts, and the put together a spell of pressure on the Morpeth area, long throws, corners and free kicks all dealt with the Morpeth back four.

With 65 minutes played the referee allowed play to go on when Anthony Wilson unceremoniously took out the Grieve, Matt Ord striking wide from inside the area.

With 76 minutes on the clock, Town put the game to bed with their second. Sayer’s lofted cross was headed back across goal by Steven Anderson, who wheeled away in jubilation.

Two minutes later Morpeth added their third, Turner again the provider with a throw down the left, the ball bouncing before Anderson hit a half volley from an acute angle, rifling of the far post and in.

In injury time Sayer notched his 20^th assist of the season as his corner was tapped in by Henderson, the ‘keeper again caught in no man’s land.

The scoreline was maybe harsh on the hosts, but the Highwaymen were clinical in front of goal and deserved to advance to the third round.

Unused: Provett, Hall, Fondato

Hallam FC: Darwent, Greaves, Pemberton, Mirfin (c), Whittaker, Hargreaves, Ord, Reed, Currie, Wilson, Phillips.

Subs: Bates, Wright, Brammer, Blythen, Chapell

Attendance: 454