An incisive attacking performance ensured Morpeth Town beat Whitley Bay after an entertaining game at Hillheads.

Morpeth were dominant from the outset, earning a deserved lead on 14 minutes through Jordan Fry. Sean Taylor doubled his side’s advantage before Liam Brooks reduced the arrears midway through the second half. Joe Walton smashed home a third for Town to end any Bay interest prior to Wayne Phillips’ late goal.

The Highwaymen were bright, quick and efficient in attack and set about their hosts from kick-off. This resulted in a string of chances in the opening 10 minutes, with Walton and David Carson both firing over the top, while Chris Reid sent a close-range effort straight at Thomas Flynn in the Whitley Bay goal.

Then came the goal, and it was a brilliant strike from Fry. The midfielder popped up in the right place at the right time to thunder a half-volley into the back of the net from the edge of the area. It was no more than The Highwaymen deserved as they made their strong start count.

Whitley Bay were struggling to get a foothold in the game but mustered their first real chance on 19 minutes when Thomas Potter’s free-kick was saved low down by the palms of Karl Dryden.

Morpeth were looking a genuine threat every time they attacked and should have been two-up on the half-hour mark when Stephen Forster found himself in space in the box. He opted not to shoot, instead setting up Ben Sayer to curl a strike inches past the post.

Two minutes later and Sayer was involved again, this time as creator, when playing in Taylor. However, Flynn stood tall to deny the winger a goal on his return to the side.

The hosts were threatening sporadically, but they did create two super chances on 34 minutes. The first of which saw Potter smash a shot straight at Dryden before Callum Johnston swivelled in the area and struck over the top from inside the six-yard box.

Far from resting on their laurels, Morpeth went in search of a crucial second goal at the start of the second half, resulting in a number of chances. The first of which came the way of David Carson but his 49th minute strike bobbled its way to Flynn.

But for all their attacking intent, Town so nearly conceded a minute later. Johnston was the man to race clear of the Morpeth back-line; he toe-ended it past the on-rushing Dryden but Reid was on hand to clear off the line.

In an entertaining game, both sides were creating opportunities and the next one fell to Bay on 55 minutes. Potter sent a whipped free-kick towards the bottom corner but Dryden denied him with a full stretch save.

Seconds later and the ball was fizzing past the far post of Whitley Bay’s goal as Sayer unleashed a vicious drive that just bent the wrong way at the end.

But Morpeth would deservedly claim the second goal of the contest, Taylor crashing in at the far post to head a goal that provided breathing space for the visitors.

That lasted all of nine minutes as Whitley responded with a goal of their own; Brooks side-footed from a couple of yards out after a ball in from the right to put the result back in doubt.

With a bit of pressure mounting on the visiting defence, they certainly needed another goal and found it through Walton on 80 minutes. The midfielder unleashed a fierce strike into the bottom after substitute Liam Henderson unselfishly teed him up.

There was still time for Regan Paterson to hit the inside of the post for the hosts but it wasn’t enough to prevent Morpeth gaining all three points as Phillips thumped a superb strike into the back of the net in stoppage time.

Morpeth are next in action when they host Sunderland RCA on Thursday night at Craik Park (7.45pm).

WHITLEY BAY: Flynn; Nearney (capt), Walker, Haley (Hucks 72), Groves, Summers (Bramley 58), Brannen (Paterson 80), Bell, Brooks, Johnston, Potter.

SUBS NOT USED: Bramley, Jasper.

GOALS: Brooks (72)

MORPETH TOWN: Dryden; Forster, Danny Carson, Reid, McDonald; Graydon (capt) (Turner 78), Sayer (Phillips 65), Fry; Walton, David Carson (Henderson 74).

SUBS NOT USED: Coppen, Coombes.

GOALS: Fry (14), Taylor (63), Walton (80), Phillips (90)

ATT: 186

This report is proudly sponsored by Jimmy Anderson, on behalf of Aggregate Industries, a part of LaFargeHolcim.