By Liam Price, photo courtesy of George Davidson
Morpeth Town scored an 87th minute winner to claim the 3 points with a 2-1 win over Nantwich Town at Craik Park.
Byron Harrison had a big chance on 11 minutes, getting the bounce of the ball but with it still bouncing in the box he tried the lob but got too much on it and over it went.
A Harrison header then went over the bar, before Morpeth’s first dangerous moment came courtesy of a brilliant cross and shot that was bravely blocked by Caspar Hughes at the cost of a corner and some pain.
Hughes was at it again shortly after, heading behind from another good cross, this time from Jeff Henderson, and Caspar was alert to head behind as a Morpeth attacker looked to pounce at the back post.
Jon Moran headed over, before the Dabbers’ best chances yet came on the half hour. Dan Cockerline shot from the edge of the box, it was parried by Dan Lowson straight onto the head of Harrison who reacted well but saw his header come off the crossbar.
Sunderland loanee Connor Pye shot from range and saw it tipped away by Tom Booth.
On the stroke of half-time, Morpeth took the lead. A ball into the box was harmlessly caught by Booth, but the referee pointed to the spot for what was described as a clear push but was anything but clear to those watching from the stands even of a Morpeth persuasion.
Morpeth’s top scorer Connor Thomson stepped up and converted high into the corner.
In the second half, Harrison got in behind the defence again and squared to Cockerline, Lowson was off his line well though to smother and another big chance was gone.
Just 2 minutes later though, a moment of class brought the Dabbers level. A central free kick about 20 or so yards out was bent exquisitely into the corner in the goalkeeper’s side by Steven Hewitt for back-to-back goals for him and hope for Nantwich.
The Dabbers looked to kick on, putting on Mo Malumo and debutant Connor Evans. It was Cockerline who had the next chance, finding himself in a pocket of space and firing narrowly over from about 25 yards.
An offside flag denied the Dabbers the lead, then a good run and cross by half-time sub Curtis Morrison zipped across the face of goal and agonisingly away from anyone in yellow.
The sucker punch arrived 3 minutes from the end. With Hewitt off the pitch after receiving treatment, a drop ball was played out by Morpeth, not sufficiently cleared, and Harry Cornish was on hand to arrow in the winner from the edge of the box.
A performance that bettered those from recent weeks but a result that leaves the Dabbers anchored in 19th in the Northern Premier League.
Teams
Morpeth Town: Dan Lowson, Josh Robson, Connor Pye, Ryan Donaldson, Jeff Henderson, Michael Turner, Matty Cornish, Ben Sayer, Jack Foalie, Connor Thomson (Sam Fishburn, 74), Andrew Johnson
Subs not used: Harvey Walsh, Michael Johnstone, Kyle Lancaster
Goals: Thomson (45+2, pen), Cornish (87)
Nantwich Town: Tom Booth, Caspar Hughes, Perry Bircumshaw, Troy Bourne, Jon Moran, Steven Hewitt, Ryan Morton (Connor Evans, 65), Jack Sherratt, Dan Cockerline, Byron Harrison (Mo Malumo, 65), Ivan Urvantev (Curtis Morrison, 45)
Subs not used: Tom Scully, James Caton
Goal: Hewitt (59)
Attendance: 382