PICTURE: George Davidson
REPORT: Ross Jackson
A commanding display saw Morpeth Town brush aside South Shields 4-1 in the Integro Cup First Round at Mariners Park.
The Highwaymen controlled matters for large spells of the game, scoring superb goals throughout as they sauntered to victory at the expense of the Mariners.
Iulian Petrache netted the best goal of the night, and probably the season in any division in the World, with a sensational 14th minute 35-yard rocket which flew into the top corner, before Adam Burnicle slammed a close-range shot into the roof of the net prior to half-time after Joe Walton had knocked a ball down for him.
Gavin Cogdon reduced the arrears with a free-kick just after the break, but Ben Sayer came off the bench to arch a wonderfully crafted strike into the top corner on 74 minutes and then sprinted through the home defence before slotting calmly under substitute keeper Liam Connell following clever build-up play from the advancing Liam Henderson.
The score-line may well please those associated with Morpeth, but the nature in which it was achieved – through an assured and confident display – will provide more joy to a Town side who have now lost only twice in 10 league and cup games to start the season.
The Highwaymen look to continue their good run of form when they welcome Carlton Town to Craik Park on Saturday (3pm).
SOUTH SHIELDS: Pearson (Connell 25); Hunter, Lough, Thompson, Bexton, Brown (capt), Guy (Lowther 61), Ross, Cogdon (Mason 74), Orrell, Wright.
SUBS NOT USED: Adams, Mouanda.
GOALS: Cogdon (48)
MORPETH TOWN: Lowson; Forster, Petrache (Turner 85), Dan Carson, McDonald; Dav Carson (capt), Taylor, Hodgson; Walton (Sayer 65), Burnicle (L.Henderson 65), Potter.
SUBS NOT USED: J.Henderson
GOALS: Petrache (14), Burnicle (44), Sayer (74, 89).
ATT: 977
