Match report proudly sponsored by Northumbria Print

Morpeth Town fell to a 2-1 defeat at Lancaster City as a two-goal deficit proved too much to overcome at the Giant Axe in the Pitching In NPL Premier Division.

David Norris gave the hosts a first half lead on 31 minutes, before Nic Evangelinos doubled the advantage on the hour mark. Matty Cornish reduced the arrears on 65 minutes but it wasn’t enough to prevent defeat.

Town started brightly and could have taken the lead on six minutes but for a superb recovery save from Sam Waller to deny Andrew Johnson. The forward had got past the last man, and got round the keeper, but Waller somehow managed to get back and claw the ball behind for a corner.

The Highwaymen’s impressive start continued as they saw plenty of the ball and pressed and probed without finding a way through.

Connor Thomson was next to go close on 25 minutes, but he blazed well over from the edge of the box after good interplay down the right flank saw Josh Robson cut the ball back.

Despite being on top, Morpeth conceded the opener on 31 minutes. Norris netted, slotting home a rebound after goalkeeper Dan Lowson pushed a shot clear.

Lowson tipped over superbly six minutes later as the home side stepped things up a gear before half-time.

The second half started with the Dolly Blues on the front foot, sending a shot over almost immediately before Johnson drove a free-kick straight at Waller for Morpeth on 53 minutes.

Charlie Bailey lashed a rising drive well over before the penalty was awarded on 60 minutes. The Town defence failed to deal with a long ball over the top, resulting in Michael Turner nudging Bailey over in the box for a spot-kick that Evangelinos converted.

Facing an uphill task, the Highwaymen got a foothold in the game on 65 minutes thanks to a superb goal from Cornish, the midfielder side-footing a fine finish into the far top corner to give his side hope.

With Morpeth revived, they nearly restored parity three minutes later when Cornish was played in down the right side of the box but his effort at the near post was tipped past the post by Waller.

Substitute Mark Tweedley thumped the crossbar with a vicious long-range drive on 73 minutes, and Johnson shot straight at the keeper on 84 minutes, after chesting the ball down, but it wasn’t enough as a trip to Lancashire ended in defeat.

Town are next in action when travelling to Marske United on Tuesday night. Tickets are available by clicking here but if you can’t make the game, we’ll be broadcasting live from 7.40pm on Highwaymen Radio (sponsored by Allery Chemistry).

LANCASTER CITY: Waller, S.Bailey, Sloan, Zuk, Misambo, Brownhill, Carroll (Tweedley 69’), Cowperthwaite, Evangelins (Connelly 85’), Norris, C.Bailey (Robinson 73’).

SUBS: Ikpakwu, Carsley.

MORPETH TOWN: Lowson, Robson, Pye (Fishburn 88’), Donaldson, Henderson, Turner, Cornish (Lancaster 74’), Sayer, Foalle, Thomson (Ramsey 46’), Johnson.

SUBS: King, Cameron.

ATT: 421