Morpeth Town 1-4 Ashton United
Ashton United ran out 4-1 winners in Northumberland at Craik Park on Saturday afternoon.
Ashton took the lead within minutes of kick-off through a powerful Jason Gilchrist strike.
It was a clinical show in the second period as Nic Bollado equalised before a Nathan Buddle own goal and James Hardy and Nathan Lowe strikes wrapped up the afternoon.
The Robins made a rapid start as it took two minutes for James Hardy to feed through Jason Gilchrist to fire home his 12th goal of the season.
The next half an hour was a well contested match up but without any clear-cut opportunities, until Louis White tried to catch out Morpeth ‘keeper Dan Langley from the halfway line and it went narrowly wide.
Into the second half and the Robins started strongly, first a powerful Luke Burke effort was pushed away by Langley and then White played a dangerous ball across the six-yard box which Darius Osei failed to make contact with.
Just short of the hour mark the Highwaymen drew level as Nic Bollado was granted time and space in the penalty area which allowed him time to fire home hard and low.
10 minutes later Ashton had their lead back as Nathan Buddle turned in a deflected cross into his own net.
The lead was doubled shortly after as James Hardy met a cross from Gilchrist and he clinically fired in.
Substitute Nathan Lowe finished off proceedings in added time with a fine strike.
Morpeth XI: Dan Langley, Rhys Evans, Josh King, Josh Robson ©, Jack Foalle (Griggs 86’), Nathan Buddle, Jordan Hickey, Ewan McGowan (Greaves 72’), William Dowling, Nic Bollado, Luke James.
Unused sub(s): Chater.
Attendance: 257
Referee: Stephen Beresford
