Joe Brayson opens Morpeth account in Ilkeston defeat
Young gun Joe Brayson got off the mark in a Morpeth Town shirt with first senior goal.
The highly-rated forward, on-loan at the Highwaymen from Newcastle United u21s, is the son of former Newcastle striker Paul and has netted three goals at youth level so far this season including one against Benfica in the UEFA Youth League.
Brayson capitalised on a defensive mistake to go around the keeper and roll home in the tenth minute of their NPL Premier clash at Ilkeston Town.
With snow piled around the edge of the pitch, the game was one of only three to beat the big freeze but boss Craig Lynch was left disappointed by a second half showing that saw Morpeth beaten 3-1.
“Our issue is going in the lead. If you’re playing against us, just give us a 1-0 lead – it’s as if we’re getting beat 2-0,” he told Highwaymen TV.
“We needed to start bright today and I thought in the first 10 minutes we were brilliant. After that we were scared to play and we got gradually more and more into our shells and then you end up getting beat.”
Ilkeston levelled soon after the break when Sam Parker headed in from a corner and Rhys Evans then had to head one off the line from another set piece.
Dan Langley limped off and was replaced by academy keeper Mason Brown just before the hour, then Josh King followed him down the tunnel injured.
With Morpeth rocking, Harvey Kirby Moore added a second for the hosts in the 74th minute when he climbed highest to head in, then made it three in stoppage time to move them five points clear of the amber and blacks.
“I’m shouting on like an idiot when we’re getting beat 2-1 because it was as if some of them didn’t realise we were getting beat, which is mind-boggling. They’ve made four changes at half time and gone on to win it, so fair play to them. I’d love to be in a position to do that ourselves but we’ve got four teenagers on the bench and that’s just where we are at.”
Town travel to Gainsborough Trinty on Saturday looking to pull themselves clear of the danger area.
“We’re lacking a bit of experience and that killer edge which we had when we were on a good run and it’s a big few weeks now to turn it around,” said Lynch.