After last weekends disappointing Vase exit, West Auckland look to address their lowly League position by adding some much needed points to the board.
It will be a tough game though - not only have West not picked up a point on the road this season in the League so far, they also lost 1-0 at home when the sides meet earlier in the campaign.
West are boosted with the signing of former keeper Alan Wilkinson from Wolviston although Bryan Stewart and Neil Robinson (back) are injury doubts for the game.
MORPETH TOWN 2-1 WEST AUCKLAND
Saturday 24 November, 3:00PM, League
Lee Ellison made changes to the side that lost heavily in the Vase, former West keeper Alan Wilkinson returned to the club and starting 11 whilst Jamie Middleton played up front with Bryan Stewart returning in midfield. However the changes did not stop another unfortunate away defeat where West once again deserved a point but left empty handed.
After a difficult run away from home, West did not want to fall behind early on, Morpeth's Ian Herron had other thoughts and his first shot was held by the returning Alan Wilkinson before another shot minutes later flashed wide.
West began to settle after these efforts but came unstuck in the 17th minute by gifting the lead to Morpeth. Ian Maddison's ball back to Alan Wilkinson was heading out for a corner, the keeper trying to recover could only slice the ball to Morpeth's Matty Halambiec on the edge of the area and he rolled the ball in off the far post to give the hosts the lead.
West Auckland's response came three minutes later with Brian Fairhurst's corner finding Michael Heckley who was unable to direct his header on target. A couple of half chances - one to either team came before the visitors charged forward.
In the 27th minute Dale Jardine played in Bryan Stewart who cut back inside before firing a shot narrowly over then, a minute later, Stewart played provider with an excellent run and cross picking out Jamie Middleton, playing up front, whose header was inches over the crossbar.
Morpeth reminded West of their attacking play with several quick interchanges leading to a shot flashed across the face of goal however, in truth neither side could do enough to test their opponents keeper. This was until a minute before the break when West drew level after further pressure. Bryan Stewart tried to take the ball towards goal and when keeper Barry Poskett flew out of goal at the ball it seemed the chance had gone. The Morpeth stopper though was unable to claim the ball and it rolled free where Stewart was on hand to apply the cool finish to level the scores.
West Auckland started the second half in similar vein to that of the end of the first - more pressure that saw Kevin Bromley's 48th minute low shot from 20 yards held by Poskett. An ambitious shot from 25 yards from Dale Jardine on 59 minutes was also held by Poskett before Morpeth surprised the visitors and took the lead for the second time.
An attack on the left saw West cut apart at the back and when the ball was rolled across into the path of sub Paul Haxon and he crisply fired the ball past Alan Wilkinson into the bottom corner. A couple of good blocks then prevented Morpeth from taking a two goal cushion as West struggled to settle back into their stride.
When West did manufacture their next opening in the 66th minute, it was the two subs who combined with Garry Barnes' cross finding an unmarked Neil Robinson who could not head towards goal. Both sides struggled to gain any rhythm to their play for a long period after this and it was not until the 81st minute that the next opportunity arose.
Dale Jardine cut back inside and curled an effort from the edge of the area only for Poskett to once again make the save and deny West a deserved leveller. They then spurned a glorious opening to snatch the point when Garry Barnes went through one on one with Poskett. The Morpeth keeper made the save then Barnes played the loose ball to Dale Jardine and his shot was blocked clear from close range by the scrambling defenders following which Bryan Stewart tried to return the ball back to a West player only to be cleared.
West did have the ball in the net right at the end but the ball had already well crossed the line for a goal kick and Morpeth held out for the three points.
1. Alan Wilkinson, 2. Michael Heckley, 3. Brian Fairhurst, 4. Ian Maddison, 5. Scott Nicholson, 6. Danny Key, 7. Bryan Stewart, 8. Danny Richmond (14. Garry Barnes , 9. Dale Jardine, 10. James Middleton, 11. Kevin Bromley (12. Neil Robinson 63 mins)
Subs Not Used: 15. Thomas Louden, 16. Stuart Owen, 17. Lee Hutton
Pictures