This Saturday, we return to the Leasing.com Stadium as we welcome Morpeth Town to SK11.
Michael Clegg’s side come into the game off the back of a midweek win against Stafford Rangers.
We take a closer look at The Highwaymen.
HISTORY
The club was established in 1909. They joined the Northern Alliance in 1936 and were runners-up in 1937–38, before winning the league’s Challenge Cup in 1938–39. During the 1939–40 season, which saw the league reorganised into a wartime competition, the club were runners-up in the North Division and then finished third in the combined competition. After the league resumed following the war, Morpeth finished bottom of the Northern Alliance in 1949–50, 1951–52 and 1953–54. They were subsequently runners-up in 1965–66, 1973–74 and 1981–82, as well as winning the Northumberland Benevolent Bowl in 1978–79.
In 1983–84 Morpeth were Northern Alliance champions. They were runners-up the following season and then won both the Challenge Cup and the Northumberland Benevolent Bowl in 1985–86. After winning the league’s Subsidiary Cup in 1986–87, the club were champions again in 1993–94, earning promotion to Division Two of the Northern League. They won the division in their second season in the league and were promoted to Division One. The club won the Northumberland Senior Cup in 2006–07, beating Blyth Spartans 3–2 in the final. They finished second from bottom of Division One in 2009–10 and were relegated to Division Two. The following season saw them finish bottom of Division Two, although the club avoided being relegated back to the Northern Alliance. In 2012–13 they finished third in Division Two and were promoted back to Division One.
The 2015–16 season saw Morpeth reach the final of the FA Vase at Wembley Stadium, where they defeated Hereford 4–1 to win the competition. The club went on to finish as runners-up in Division One of the Northern League the following season, also winning the Cleator Cup. After finishing as runners-up again in 2017–18, they were promoted to Division One East of the Northern Premier League. The following season saw them win Division One East, earning promotion to the Premier Division. They also won the Northumberland Senior Cup for the second time, defeating North Shields 2–1 in the final after extra time. The club won the Senior Cup again in 2022–23, beating Blyth Spartans 2–0 in the final.
CURRENT FORM
The Highwaymen have been in relatively strong form over their last five game. On Tuesday night, Morpeth were defeated away at league leaders Radcliffe by four goals to one in Greater Manchester. Prior to their trip to Radcliffe, Morpeth had three home games on the trot which all resulted in three points. Two goals in two minutes secured victory against Lancaster City at Craik Park.
A brace from Sam Hodgson saw another three points head into the hands of the Highwaymen following a 2-1 victory at home to Atherton Collieries. A convincing 3-0 victory against FC United of Manchester started the run of victories at Craik Park. A 4-1 defeat away at play off contenders Guiseley meant it is three wins in their last five games.
ONE TO WATCH
ANDREW JOHNSON
Andrew Johnson is one to watch for The Highwaymen on Saturday. The centre forward has 12 goals in all competitions this season.
Johnson came off the bench in the game at Craik Park, but has only scored three times in 2024.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
It was an afternoon to forget for The Silkmen last time we met Morpeth as two first half goals condemned Mark Duffy’s side at the time to defeat in the North East.
