Match report proudly sponsored by Northumbria Print
Words: Matty Hunter
Pic: George Davidson
Morpeth Town came from two goals behind to beat 10-man Stalybridge Celtic on Saturday at Craik Park.
Ryan Donaldson’s late strike wrapped up a vital three points in their league survival bid, with the other two Highwaymen goals coming from Fenton John and a Ben Sayer free-kick.
Boss Craig Lynch made three changes to the side that was defeated at Marske United just under two weeks ago, after two match postponements, with Chris Reid, Josh King and Connor Thomson replacing Connor Pye, Matty Cornish and Ben Ramsey.
The match started in the worst possible fashion for the hosts, when Morpeth goalkeeper Dan Lowson failed to control a back pass from Michael Turner, giving Stalybridge the lead.
The visitors, sitting directly above Morpeth in the table, almost doubled their advantage when Domaine Rouse found space from a corner and sent a headed effort narrowly past the far post. Town grew into the game and looked promising in the run up to half-time, without creating anything meaningful.
On the half hour mark, the visitors went close again, when Theo Bailey-Jones sent a header from ten yards over the bar after an inviting cross from Godwin Abadaki.
Bailey-Jones was lucky not to have been sent off on 41 minutes for a two-handed shove, with the referee only showing a yellow card. A couple of minutes later though, he would get the red card, when he clattered Chris Reid and was shown a second yellow.
Not the ideal first half for the Highwaymen, 10-man Stalybridge would double their hosts’ woes on 51 minutes when Domaine Rouse sent a sumptuous volley beyond Lowson and into the back of the net.
On 55 minutes, Morpeth’s comeback started as Middlesbrough loanee Fenton John fired home an effort after receiving the ball from a Jack Foalle flick.
It was all Morpeth for the rest of the match, as they played with clear intent of getting a result from the vital relegation six-pointer.
Morpeth’s efforts were rewarded on 68 minutes with an excellent free-kick from Sayer, bringing his side level with a swirling free-kick that left the keeper clutching at thin air.
On 84 minutes, the comeback was complete as Donaldson finished off a great attacking move for the hosts. Picking the pocket of Rouse, John seized possession before finding Connor Thomson on the right side of the box. The winger crossed to the penalty spot for the experienced midfielder to slot home and notch the winner.
The victory was a crucial one in the Highwaymen’s survival bid as they now sit two points above the relegation zone with games in hand on two of the four teams at the foot of the table. With those below them picking up points, the Highwaymen did their bit.
The next match sees Lynch’s side host Whitley Bay in the Northumberland Senior Cup Semi-Final. The game kicks off at 7.30pm on Tuesday at Craik Park. Tickets can be bought online here or on the gate on the day (cash only).
MORPETH TOWN: Lowson, Robson, Reid (Pye 66’), Sayer, Henderson (c), Turner, Foalle, King (John 46’), Thomson (Chiabi 90’), Donaldson, Johnson.
SUBS: Anderson, Fishburn.
STALYBRIDGE CELTIC: O’Shaugnessy, Miller, Barlow, Harrison, Burns, Rouse, Bailey-Jones, Abadaki (Kershaw 75’), Correia (Sinfield 75’), Padden, Benns (Pedro 75’).
SUBS: Summers, Crouz.
ATT: 382
