Match Report sponsored by Northumbria Print
Morpeth exited the FA Cup on Saturday following a 2-1 defeat at the hands of National League North side Southport writes Sam Donovan.
Liam Henderson headed the Highwaymen ahead before Niall Watson levelled and then George Newell grabbed the winner.
The first opportunity of the game arrived in the 7th but Marcus Carver wasn’t able to beat Dan Lowson as the ‘keeper made a comfortable save.
The hosts started brightly and a free kick in the 11th minute was blocked by Jack Foalle. David Morgan took the strike on but it was blocked before the rebound was cleared away as well.
On 14 minutes, Adam Anson headed wide from a corner as Southport continued to pile on the early pressure.
Only a minute later and Carver should have put the Port ahead. He raced clear after springing the offside trap but then was unable to get a shot on target as he slotted it wide of the far post.
Based on the opening stages of the game, the goal arriving in the 19th minute was against the run of play but Morpeth did not mind one bit. Liam Noble whipped in a delightful free kick that was headed from by Liam Henderson as the striker registered his third goal of the season.
The hosts tried to rally with Morgan firing wide on 21 minutes.
Liam Henderson continued to terrorise the home defence and he created two chances in a minute. Firstly he glanced a header wide from Stephen Forster’s cross. Seconds later he glanced on a freekick from Noble and the ball skipped off the turf and hit the post.
The hosts made an error on 35 minutes, a poor piece of play in defence allowed Jack Foalle to escape into the area where he was brought down by Tony McMillan. The referee had no hesitation of pointing to the spot; Foalle dusted himself down by McMillan redeemed himself by saving with his legs.
On 59 minutes, the hosts levelled. Challonor crossed deep into the penalty area and Niall Watson arrived to level things up.
Five minutes later, Watson had the opportunity to put his side ahead but on this occasion his header at the far post went wide.
Carl Finnigan arrived as a substitute following his late heroics on Tuesday evening and he curled an effort narrowly over the bar on 67 minutes.
Joe Walton who was making his first start of the season hit an effort wide on 77 minutes as both sides pressed for the winner and to avoid the dreaded penalty shootout.
George Newell decided that he didn’t want the penalty shootout and he glanced home a header on 80 minutes to put the Port ahead.
Despite a couple of half opportunites falling to Walton, Morpeth were unable to fashion an equaliser and exited the FA Cup.
Morpeth are next in action on Saturday when they host FC United at Craik Park.
STARTING XI: Lowson, Forster, Phillips (c), Sayer (Finnigan, 62’), J. Henderson, Turner, Foalle, Hodgson, L. Henderson, Noble, Walton.
SUBS NOT USED: Williams, Leonard, Mohammed, Walker
GOALS: L. Henderson 18’
