Match Report brought to you by Northumbria Print

Morpeth secured another impressive win on Tuesday evening against a very good Basford United side at Craik Park writes Sam Donovan.

Ryan Donaldson converted a penalty on the half hour mark but Matt Thornhill levelled things up for the visitors on the stroke of half time but it was Liam Henderson who had the last laugh as he hooked home a free kick with 14 minutes remaining.

The visitors made a strong start and Dominic Roma glanced a header wide from a dangerous corner on 5 minutes.

Morpeth came back into the game after they weathered an early storm and Ben Ramsey tested Adam Collin in the Basford goal. 

As the half wore on, Morpeth began to dominate proceedings and Jeff Henderson saw a header blocked on the line after a deep corner into the area from Ben Sayer. 

On 22 minutes, it was the turn of Chris Reid to see his corner cleared off the line from another Sayer set piece.

Morpeth took the lead on 30 minutes, Morpeth pressed high up the pitch and Liam Henderson had an effort blocked with the rebound dropping for Chris Reid who was tripped in the area and the referee pointed to the spot. Ryan Donaldson stepped up and sent Collin the wrong way to give the Highwaymen a deserved lead. 

It was nearly two only moments later as neat interplay around the edge of the area saw the ball flicked into the path of Ramsey and he finished with aplomb but he was a fraction offside. 

Morpeth continued their domination with another effort blocked on the line on 36 minutes. 

Collin made a good save to deny Reid on 41 minutes, as Morpeth looked to extend their lead towards the interval. 

On the stroke of half time, Basford equalised against the run of play. A free kick into the area by Ryan Wilson dropped for Matt Thornhill and he was able to smash home the loose ball. 

The away started the second half well again but failed to create any good opportunities until the 70th minute, Rev James delivered a low ball across the area and Lewis Rourke was inches away from converting the ball. 

Morpeth regained the lead on 76 minutes, a quick free kick was clipped forward by Liam Noble and Liam Henderson was the only player alert who got on the end of the ball and he deftly hooked the ball past Jordan Pierrepoint who had replaced Collin at the break. 

On 82 minutes, Thornhill went close again to dragging his side level but he scuffed an effort along the floor and Dan Lowson was able to get down low to make the save. 

The visitors tried valiantly to get back into the game and Roma went down in the area as a free kick was floated into the area but the referee wasn’t interested in the appeals. 

In stoppage time at the end of the game, Kane Richards cut inside and curled an effort but it was tame and Lowson was able to get down and make the save. 

It was a game that Morpeth edged over the course of the 90 minutes and extended their good run of form stretching back to 2 defeats in their last 15 games. 

Morpeth are back at home on Saturday when they face Gainsborough Trinity when they look for another valuable three points.