Morpeth bounced back to winning ways on Saturday afternoon with a comfortable but hard fought victory over a battling Stamford side.

Ben Sayer grabbed the only goal of the game with a stunning strike worthy of winning any game with a curling strike on 72 minutes.

Dan Lowson returned in goal following his suspension with Jack Foalle also coming back into the starting line-up.

The Highwaymen started the game on the front foot and Sean Taylor was first to try his luck on 6 minutes but pulled his shot into the side netting.

Taylor started the game well and it was his flick inside to Jack Foalle who smashed an effort from 18 yards over the bar.

Ben Sayer who had missed the game at Mansfield in midweek was back in the starting XI today and he should have done better when well placed on the edge of the area. Unfortunately, his strike was skewed high over the bar.

Morpeth were well on top and in addition to the chances created by Foalle, Sayer and Taylor; Wayne Phillips saw his strike from distance deflected for a corner on 32 minutes.

David Carson was next to have a go but like everyone before him, the strike was unable to test ‘keeper Danny Haystead in the Stamford goal.

The second half began in the same fashion as the first had with Morpeth on top but unable to test Haystead.

Stephen Forster collected the ball inside the box and his wicked shot swerved wide of the far post with Haystead on looking on.

The first shot that actually tested Haystead arrived on the hour mark. Taylor spotted Haystead off his line and attempted to chip the ‘keeper from the best part of 40 yards. The lob had the distance and direction which forced Haystead to claim the ball on the his own line.

That seemed to inspire the home side and Foalle was unlucky to see his next effort narrowly go wide of the far post after he won the ball in the box.

The only goal of the game arrived in the 72nd minute and Ben Sayer stepped up with a strike that was on par with his winner at Brighouse Town. The midfielder stepped forward and from 20 yards curled a delightful effort that flew into the top corner and gave Haystead no chance.

The visitors needed to up their game to give themselves a chance of getting anything out of the game but it took until the 84th minute for them to test Dan Lowson. A free-kick was played short to Ollie Brown-Hill and the former England U19 international fired in a long range pile driver that forced a tremendous save from Lowson to tip the effort onto the bar.

There was to be no further chances for either side as Morpeth held on for a vital three points in their quest for the Evo-Stik Northern League East Division title.

On Tuesday evening, the Highwaymen face North Shields in the final of the Techflow Marine Group Northumberland Senior Cup final at St James’ Park. Kick off is at 7.30pm.

The next match at Craik Park is next Saturday when 2nd placed Pontefract Colliers are the visitors in a game which will go a long way to deciding the fate of the title.

 

Morpeth Town: Lowson, Forster, Turner, Sayer, J. Henderson, Reid (Danny Carson, 76), Taylor (Fry, 81), Phillips (c), Foalle (Potter, 66), David Carson, Walton.

Subs not Used: Graydon, Pickering.

Goals: Sayer 72’.

Stamford A.F.C.: Haystead, Armstrong, Egglinton, Burgess, Cooke, Smith (Challinor, 73), Morgan, Duffy (c) (Taylor, 80), Seal (Bloor, 63), Adams, Brown-Hill.

Subs not Used: Tarris.

Goals: N/A

ATT: 295