Daniel Moore made just one change from Saturday’s thrashing of Bamber Bridge. Amar Purewal picked up a knock late in the game and wasn’t risked at Craik Park, therefore, Joe Walton took his place in the eleven. Hebburn started the match in the ascendency, and an effort on goal occurred inside the first minute. Olly Martin created space for himself and cut inside onto his right foot, unleashing a low strike that was easy for Dan Langley to claim. Early Hornets pressure continued in the opening minutes as Michael Turner’s long-throws caused issues for the Morpeth defence, and they had to settle for a corner each time.

Then, a cross into the box from Aidan Heywood was flicked on by Paul Van-Zandvliet into Jack Donaghy’s path, but the centre half could only find the side netting of the goal with his header. In the eighth minute, Donaghy had another attempt on goal. Another long throw into the box from Turner caused chaos and Donaghy rose the highest, but he could only head wide. A first chance for Morpeth arrived in the ninth minute. Will Dowling threaded a ball across the pitch to find Nic Bollado on the left wing, he then cut inside onto his right foot and whipped a curling effort just over the top of Kieran Hunter’s crossbar. Not too far away from the opener.

Another effort for the Highwaymen came in the sixteenth minute from Dowling. The defender let fly from the edge of the area and the shot stung Hunter’s palms. To the shock of both sets of supporters, the referee awarded a goal-kick to Hebburn and the hosts were left furious. In the twentieth minute, Liam Noble pinged a ball to Arron Thompson, but his shot was tame and Langley held once more. The hosts were then awarded a free kick just outside the area. Bollado stepped up, he fired over the wall and struck the side netting, no trouble for Hunter.

The first booking of the game went to Morpeth’s Rhys Evans for his reaction to Liam Noble’s late challenge on his teammate. The ex-Morpeth man certainly ruffled up some feathers. The Highwaymen were starting to dominate proceedings midway through the first half and Bollado continued to be their dangerman. This time, he rifled a swerving effort towards goal, forcing Hunter to fist the ball away. In the fortieth minute, the Hornets began to pull the screws again. Joe Posthill was fouled and won his side a free kick. The ball was swung towards the back post by Noble, and was met by the head of Van-Zandvliet, but he could only head over the bar.

Just before the break, penalty shouts from the home side were waved away after Dowling had thought he’d been brought down inside the area. Minutes later, Walton was booked for dissent and the referee blew for half-time. Not much to separate the sides after a goalless first forty-five.

The second half began and neither manager opted for a change during the break. The first opportunity of the half went to the Highwaymen. Jack Foalle’s shot was pushed around the post for a corner. From the set-piece, Dowling’s delivery was met by Josh Robson, who appeared to give Heywood a nudge in the process, but nothing was given and he headed wide of the target. In the fifty-fifth minute, a third yellow card for Hebburn was shown to Arron Thompson for a foul. A first change came in the fifty-ninth minute as
Robbie Spence replaced Van-Zandvliet.

Joe Posthill’s cross into the box looked to have been heading goalwards, until Langley was able to scramble and tip the ball around the far post and the Morpeth players cleared. A second Hornets substitution arrived in the sixty-ninth minute as Walton made way for Bailey Adamson. Both sides continued to push for a winner heading towards the final twenty, but it was Morpeth who seemed the most likely. This time, Dowling had the ball at his feet and dribbled towards goal before firing an effort that deflected wide for a corner. The following corner came to nothing. Then, Jordan Hickey floated the ball towards Foalle, but the forward’s effort was well off target.

Despite being second best for most of the half, Hebburn were able to create a chance of their own in the eighty-first minute. Turner opted for a short throw this time, to Thompson. His cross into the box was cleared only as far as Martin who struck from distance
and fired over the bar. As the game dragged on, both sides were desperate to find the all-important winning goal, and Morpeth nearly snatched the points in the eighty-eighth minute. Fenton John played a ball into Foalle on the right flank, but his effort was just wide of the far post.

The Hornets continued to push in hope the ball would bounce kindly for an opener, but the Morpeth defenders stood firm. In the third minute of stoppage time, there were penalty shouts from the travelling fans. Turner’s long throw continued to cause disruption and Donaghy attempted to bring the ball down, but the defender appeared to have his shirt pulled, yet the referee waved play on. A final change for Hebburn came in the sixth minute of stoppage time as Dan Groves replaced Martin.

Shortly after, the referee put the whistle to his mouth and blew for full time. A dull affair with neither side creating a clear-cut opportunity as the match finished goalless. Nonetheless, it was a clean sheet and a good point away from home.

Next up, the Hornets are in Emirates FA Cup Second Qualifying Round action away at National League North side Chester FC on Saturday.

Man of the Match: Michael Turner

Match Attendance: 517

By Dan Carlton