Morpeth Town continue promising run with 2-0 Hallam FC victory

Morpeth Town moved up to third in the NPL East table with a 2-0 win over Hallam FC at Craik Park on Saturday afternoon.

Goals from Jarrett Rivers and Mitch Hancox guided the Highwaymen to a relatively routine victory on home soil, with the hosts striking early before doubling their advantage in the second period after creating - and squandering - an array of chances.

And speaking after the final whistle, Town manager Craig Lynch praised his side, while also admitting that they could have won by a much wider margin. He said: “I think now the dust settles, it's a good win, but I would like to have relaxed a little bit more.

“I don't want to be disrespectful to Hallam because they've come up, they've put a show on, they've tried against us, but it could have been - I don't want to say double figures - but it could have been right up there today. We've hit the post, we've had umpteen chances across the box, we've had a goal disallowed, but again, similar to Wednesday night [against Guisborough Town], I'm unsure if it's the right decision.

“I thought we could have had a penalty - I'm sure the kid has handled it in the box. There was just so many entries into the final third, and the keeper has probably pulled off four or five good saves as well. So, look again, credit to Hallam, but I thought they just caught us on a really good day today. I thought we were brilliant and it wasn't maybe down to how Hallam played - I think it was how good we looked today.

“We had to back up Wednesday's victory, and like I've just said, the lads were fantastic. We can give ourselves a pat on the back, but we've got to back up again on Tuesday [against North Ferriby in the NPL East].”

The Morpeth boss continued: “There were loads of phases of play which were really impressive to see. Yes, nothing's won or lost in August or September - and remember we've got five or six new lads coming in, we've not had a settled team - but what's been nice is that we've won more than we've lost this season, and you'd expect us to really with what we've got resources-wise. So, look, the lads were brilliant, but again, like I said, we're still missing umpteen players.”