The Highwaymen recorded a comfortable victory over Loughborugh Dyanmo on a bitterly cold January afternoon. Goals from Jeff Henderson, David Carson from the spot, Liam Henderson and Sean Taylor secured the points. Ryan Robbins netted from the spot for Dynamo.
The visitors started the game on the front foot and should have been ahead inside the first 2 minutes when Luke Thorogood was left unmarked 6yds from goal. The midfielder inexplicably unable to get a touch on the ball across goal.
Karl Demidh then stung the palms of Dan Lowson as the visitors looked to get their noses in front following their bright start.
Ultimately, though their positives endeavours were made to be rued when Jeff Henderson headed home from a Ben Sayer corner. Tom Potter had done well down the right to win the corner and Morpeth struck first.
With their next attack, the lead was doubled with David Carson atoning for his missed penalty in the reverse fixture. Ben Sayer was bundled over in the box by Luke Foster. Carson stepped up and put his effort low to the right of Charlie Taylor with the ‘keeper going the right way but not being able to stop it.
Just when you thought the game would be plain sailing, the visitors got their lifeline. Josh Riley was barged off the ball in the box by Jeff Henderson and the referee pointed to the spot. Ryan Robbins stepped up and sent Dan Lowson the wrong way to halve the defecit.
The goals continued to flow and it was the Highwaymen who restored their two-goal lead. A free-kick from Sayer was parried away by Taylor and not dealt with as Sean Taylor saw an effort blocked before the ball looped up for Liam Henderson to nod home.
Taylor who was instrumental all afternoon for Town, continued to threaten and came close to adding a fourth before the interval. He struck the base of the post when he slalomed his way into the box before firing in an effort at the nearpost.
Micky Turner who had grabbed a goal at Gresley last weekend came close to repeating the feat when he planted a header wide from a corner.
As the half drew to a close, Liam Henderson was unlucky to see an effort clawed away by Taylor when he volleyed one which looked destined for the top corner.
Sean Taylor then saw his clipped effort kiss the top of the bar right on the whistle as Morpeth tried to sew up the points before the interval.
The second half saw the visitors come out all guns blazing and had a great opportunity to get themselves back in the game but Alex Steadman fired his effort straight at Lowson.
Daniel Gordon who was solid at left-back rampaged forward and whilst everyone was expecting a cross into the box, he pulled an effort across goal that had Lowson scrambling across goal.
On the hour mark, Jeff Henderson was well placed to hack the ball clear after Lowson was forced into another save, this time from Ruben Asamoah who had came on at the interval.
The chances for the visitors were to prove costly as Morpeth sealed the points on 66 minutes. Liam Henderson turned just inside the box and struck a fierce shot that Taylor did well to push away but only to Sean Taylor. From a tight angle, Taylor smashed the ball into the roof of the net.
The remaining 25 minutes of the game were seen out professionally by the Highwaymen who had further chances with Jack Foalle looking to get his name on the scoresheet. He saw an effort blocked away by Foster with Sean Taylor waiting for a pass.
Morpeth are in Techflow Group Northumberland Senior Cup action on Wednesday evening when they make the short trip to Heaton Stannington.
On Saturday, Town make the trip to South Yorkshire for a league game with Stocksbridge Park Steels.
Morpeth Town: Lowson, Fry, Reid (Petrache, 72’), Sayer (c), J. Henderson, Turner, Taylor, Hodgson, L. Henderson (Foalle, 73’), David Carson, Potter (Walton, 65’).
Subs not used: Graydon, Mott.
Goals: J. Henderson 13’, David Carson (p) 20’, L. Henderson 30’, Taylor 66’
Loughborough Dynamo: Taylor, Bryant, Gordon, Young (Elwood, 76’), Foster, Keenan (c), Riley, Thorogood, Robbins, Demidh (Asamoah, 46’), Steadman (Reittie, 73’).
Subs not used: Brown, Thornberry.
Goals: Robbins 24’.
Man of the Match: Jeff Henderson
Attendance: 403