Match Report

Frustration for Reds after goalless contest at Broadhurst Park.

The Reds came into this match looking to bounce back from a disappointing FA Cup exist on Saturday, knowing that a victory would send them back to the top of the NPL Premier Division table.

However, despite plenty of chances, the Reds were held to a goalless draw by a solid Morpeth Town side. 

Manager Mark Beesley made four changes to the team after Saturday’s defeat against Chadderton. Matty Thomson, Dec Evans, Matty Grivosti and Adam Le Fondre all made their return to the starting XI

Before the match, midfield maestro Michael Donohue was recognised as he made his 200th appearance for the club, becoming just the eleventh player to reach that milestone.

Once the game got underway, the Reds had a golden opportunity after just six minutes. Matty Grivosti played a great ball through the visitors’ backline leaving Jay Fitzmartin through on goal, however his attempted chip was saved by the Daniel Langley in the Morpeth goal.

FC continued the strong start a few minutes later, with a quick counter-attack seeing Adam Le Fondre get free down the right and play a ball in to Matty Thomson, however his shot was blocked.

On twenty minutes, we almost got a moment of typical Le Fondre magic. After receiving a throw-in midway in the Morpeth half, he turned and beat his man, before unleashing a vicious right-footed shot from 30 yards. The dipping strike had Langley beaten but cannoned back off the crossbar.

Le Fondre came close again on 37 minutes, rising to meet a Michael Donohue cross, but he couldn’t keep the header down as it went behind for a goal kick.

That was the last major action of the half as the sides went into the break level on the scoresheet. 

Jay Fitzmartin had a good chance just almost straight from the second half kick-off. However, his effort didn’t have much power on it and was easily saved low down by Langley. A few minutes later, Le Fondre got his head on a free kick into the box, but it was straight at the goalkeeper.

Mark Beesley made his first change of the match on 67 minutes, as Jordan Buckley was brought on to strengthen the attack, replacing Charlie Munro.

Two more enforced changes quickly followed, with Ron Sithole replacing Michael Donohue and Adam Sudworth replacing Andre Wisdom, which disrupted FC’s rhythm.

The visitors came close to grabbing an unlikely lead in the 83rd minute as the ball fell for Ryan Chater in acres of space in the box to have a shot, which he fortunately fired wide of the far post.

At the other end, the Reds continued to push forward into injury time. Substitute Buckley got forward well down the left but his shot from a narrow angle went into the side netting. With time almost up, Ajay Weston tried his luck from the left-hand side of the box, but his shot was always rising and went over for a goal kick.

With the Reds unable to find a decisive goal, and with Gainsborough Trinity’s victory at home to Whitby Town, they drop to third in the league – two points behind Trinity and leaders Lancaster City, but with a game in hand.

Match Report by Callum Griffies