Morpeth Town put in a convincing display to earn a deserved victory over Consett in EBAC Northern League Division One.
Town were chasing the game as early as the fifth minute when Michael Sweet struck from the spot. But they responded in spirited fashion and found themselves level 10 minutes later through Stephen Elliott’s chipped effort. Jordan Fry’s header just after half-time put his side in front before David Carson’s 74th minute strike made it three for Town. Joe Walton then added a fourth in the 81st minute with a penalty of his own.
Basking in glorious sunshine, both sides set about their task by looking to gain an early advantage. That was taken by Consett as they hit the front in the fifth minute from the penalty spot. Sweet was the man to convert after Wayne Phillips, when charging on the stretch to block a shot, inadvertently stopped the effort with his outstretched arm.
Morpeth regained their composure quickly and worked an equaliser on 15 minutes when Elliott latched on to a Joe Walton flick over the top before coolly chipping keeper Kyle Hayes from the edge of the box. It was a classy finish and one that was certainly needed in the context of the game.
Both sides were looking dangerous going forward, but Morpeth were creating the better chances and nearly completed a turnaround of their fortunes on 28 minutes, but Walton’s fizzing drive rose inches over the top.
Town’s attacking machine was clicking into gear by this point and they had a loud penalty appeal turned down on 33 minutes after David Carson was bundled over in the area after being played in behind by Jordan Fry. A tough call, the referee was having none of it.
All-square at the break, the next goal of the game would be crucial. Thankfully, it went the way of The Highwaymen in the 52nd minute. After superb work down the left flank from Chris McDonald, the left-back delivered an inch perfect cross for Fry to guide a header into the corner.
Town’s cause was aided further by a needless Consett red card four minutes later as Ryan McKinnon was shown a straight red card for kicking out at David Carson, while the latter was on the deck.
Piling on the pressure, Morpeth were seeking a decisive third goal and so nearly earned it in the 59th minute when Ben Sayer lashed a shot across goal. It was going wide but Elliott couldn’t get a touch as he steamed into the middle looking to deflect it goalward.
However, Morpeth wouldn’t be denied a third goal on 74 minutes when Walton cleverly backheeled, after his shot was blocked, into the path of David Carson who lashed home from eight yards.
They had the ball in the back of the net seconds later, thinking they had a fourth, but Fry’s scuffed effort, which found the bottom corner, went through a Morpeth man in an offside position.
Walton, though, would add a fourth on 81 minutes, slotting a penalty into the bottom corner after David Carson’s flick inside was handled in the box by Arjun Purewal.
It added gloss to a brilliant display from the hosts as Morpeth bounced back to form in emphatic style.
Morpeth are next in action when they travel to Whitley Bay for a crucial Northern League Division One clash on Monday night (7.30pm)
MORPETH TOWN: Dryden; Danny Carson, Turner, Reid, McDonald; Phillips, Sayer (capt), Fry; Walton, Elliott (Graydon 71), David Carson.
SUBS NOT USED: Henderson, Forster, Coombes.
GOALS: Stephen Elliott (15), Jordan Fry (52), David Carson (74), Joe Walton (81)
CONSETT AFC: Hayes; Cassidy, Wilkinson, Purewal, McKinnon, Slocombe, Smith, Craggs (capt) (Lawrence 72), Sweet, Mackay (Kay 64), Lavery (Male 76).
SUBS NOT USED: Convery, Scott.
GOALS: Michael Sweet (5)
ATT: 228
This report is proudly sponsored by Jimmy Anderson, on behalf of Aggregate Industries, a part of LaFargeHolcim.
