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Morpeth Town welcome Marine to Craik Park for a clash of two sides who are both on the edge of the play-off places in the Pitching In NPL Premier Division.
With Town looking to build on two solid away draws and Marine looking to bounce back from a midweek defeat, it promises to be an entertaining contest…
LAST TIME OUT
You have to cast your mind back to the Highwaymen’s last league outing, as an FA Trophy enforced break meant Town were last in action 10 days ago at Gainsborough Trinity.
It was a game where visiting Morpeth enjoyed a comfortable opening hour to the game, although keeper Dan Lowson had to be alert to deny the home side on a handful of occasions. Then came Chris Reid’s straight red card for a reckless challenge in midfield, before Clayton Donaldson opened the scoring for Trinity soon after. But Town would battle back, the 10 men restoring parity with 20 minutes to go through Connor Thomson. It would end all-square, with Morpeth happier with the point than their hosts.
Gainsborough were the visitors to the Marine Travel Arena on Tuesday night and enjoyed their trip as they inflicted a first defeat in eight on hosting Marine. Two goals in the second half, Curtis Durose bagging both, ensured victory for the visitors and a slight derailment of Marine’s previously fine form.
THE GAFFER
Highwaymen boss Craig Lynch wants his side to build on two solid performances on the road with a victory at Craik Park that could propel them up near the top of the table depending on results elsewhere.
“They will be a tough team to come up against,” said Lynch of Marine.
“We are on the back of two hard fought draws at two tough places. We need to back it up with a win at home.
“The league is still so tight and we are only over a third of the way through – wins are so important, especially at home.”
Marine manager Neil Youngs is dealing with a mounting injury list, with three more added to it after the 2-0 loss at home to Gainsborough.
“Goals change games, if you make mistakes then you get punished,” he said after the loss.
“We’ve got a massive injury list at the moment. We got another three (on Tuesday night). We hope that some of the injuries get better a bit quicker.
“It will be a tough game (against Morpeth), away from home in this league. They’re a good side and are there or thereabouts every season.”
TICKETS
Tickets are on sale on the day, on the gate (cash only) with the following categories:
Adults – £12
Concessions – £8
Kids – £4
Under-5s – FREE
