Match report proudly sponsored by Northumbria Print

Words by Matty Hunter

Morpeth Town endured a difficult evening as they were well beaten 4-0 by promotion chasing Warrington Town in the Pitching In NPL Premier Division at Craik Park.

Despite only trailing by a single goal at the break from Connor Woods, Morpeth struggled to get a foothold in the game and ended up conceding three goals in the second half, two of which arriving in quick succession.

Declan Walker, Evan Gumbs, and Josh Amis all registered, confirming the visitors’ dominance on the night.

Morpeth boss Craig Lynch made two changes to the side that was held to a goalless draw last time out, with Fenton John and Tom Chiabi replacing Jack Foalle and Connor Thomson.

Warrington were on top in the first half and enjoyed the majority of possession and chances, with keeper Dan Lowson needing to be in fine form to keep the score to one by the break.

The first chance arose from Walker playing a short corner to Stefan Mols who fired the ball into the side netting. Matthew McDonald had a sight at goal shortly after, by floating past several players before striking the ball over the crossbar when he should’ve hit the target.

Lowson made an excellent save to deny Amis, with the custodian keeping out the header with a one-handed stop.

Morpeth’s best chance of the half came from Sunderland loanee Connor Pye, who fashioned good space for himself before firing an effort across goal, which was pushed clear by Tony Thompson in the Warrington net.

Warrington had yet another chance to open the scoring when Mitchell Duggan sent an effort towards goal, but Lowson denied them once again.

On the half-hour mark, Amis had the ball in the net for the visitors after he turned in Walker’s cross, but the referee Kirk Freeth ruled out the goal for a foul on Reid in the build-up.

Moments before the half-time whistle, Warrington broke the deadlock and got the goal that their efforts deserved, thanks to a drilled strike by Woods.

Ten minutes after the restart, Warrington doubled their lead through an impressive free-kick from 30-yards out by Walker.

After an hour played, Morpeth were indebted to Lowson to keep his side in the game, with the stopper denying a header from Amis. He was called into action again six minutes later, preventing McDonald from extending Warrington’s lead.

Morpeth’s best chance of the second half arose 20 minutes from time, when Fenton John saw his effort blocked after getting a glimpse at goal.

On 75 minutes, the scoreline was stretched to three through Gumbs’ free header at the back post. A minute later, Amis put the final nail in the coffin as his header was scrambled in at the far post.

In added time, substitute Ben Ramsey had a shot pushed over the top by goalkeeper Thompson.

There was still time for Jordan Buckley to force a save from Lowson as the game ended in victory for the visitors.

Morpeth are next in action on Saturday when hosting FC United. Tickets are available online by clicking here.

MORPETH TOWN: Lowson, Robson, Reid, Sayer (Ramsey 54’), Henderson (c), Turner, John, Donaldson, Johnson, Chiabi, Pye (Fishburn 54’).

SUBS: Anderson, Cornish, King.

WARRINGTON TOWN: Thompson, Walker, Duggan, Hannigan, Gumbs, McDonald, Woods (Buckley-Ricketts 69’), Mols, Amis (c) (Buckley 76’), Dixon, Duffy.

SUBS: White, Warren.

ATT: 313