Match Report -
Celtic match the in form team all over the park
By Debbie Taylor

A great advert for non-league football saw both teams competing in a fast-flowing, end-to-end match in which either team could have snatched a winner.

Morpeth had the better of the opening ten minutes, with Jack Foalle nearly opening the scoring with a flashing header that Liam Hughes blocked with an athletic flying save. Ryan Donaldson’s header moments later was more easily collected as Morpeth pressed against a solid Celtic defence. Celtic got a grip of the game for the second ten-minute spell, Connor O’Grady’s effort from a corner requiring the second excellent save of the match, this time from Dan Lowson. As Celtic pressed, Justin Johnson’s cutting drive needed a smart stop from Lowson, before a wicked cross from Matthew Liptrott saw Jeff Henderson’s defensive header flash past the far post, with Lowson praying it wouldn’t be the own goal of the season. The third ten-minute spell switched back to the home side, Liam Henderson’s half-volley tipped at full-stretch over the bar by Hughes, whilst Andrew Johnson tried to catch Hughes napping with a thirty-yard drive. Ntumba Massanka got the final chance of the half after some great strength and passing put him through, but the turned in shot scraped the wrong side of the post.

The second half continued at the same pace and ferocity, Andrew Johnson and Jack Foalle resorting to distance efforts that Hughes caught comfortably. Lowson was on hand to deny Massanka an opener just past the hour mark. A foul by Sam Wedgbury, just clipping the back of Andrew Johnson as the winger cut inside, gave Morpeth an opening. Andrew Johnson took the free kick himself, curved over the wall and down to the far post. Hughes will be disappointed in preventing it from crossing the line, getting both hands on the ball, but other magnificent saves should more than cancel that out.

And honours were level moments later, when Massanka stole the ball, put it into Raul Correia’s path, Lowson stranded in no-man’s land and Correia flicked the ball over Lowson, a slow-motion tracery of the ball arcing towards the goal and in! A well-deserved goal, not snatching a point, but reflecting the game.

1Lowson, Dan  
2Forster, Stephen  > 84
3Philips, Wayne  
4Hodgson, Sam  
5Henderson, Jeff  
6Turner, Michael  
7Foalle, JackYellow Card 
8Noble, Liam  
9Henderson, Liam  
10Donaldson, Ryan  
11Johnson, Andrew  
12Morris, Callum  
14Oliver, Connor  
15Ramsey, Ben  
16Sayer, Ben  < 84
17Finnigan, Carl