EBAC Northern League Division One
Morpeth Town 3-0 Dunston UTS
Michael Chilton 19, 34, James Novak 36
Morpeth Town made it 10 wins out of 11 games by beating a stubborn Dunston UTS side at Craik Park on Wednesday night.
Michael Chilton made it six goals in four games by netting twice, with left-back James Novak adding a third in the opening 45 minutes as the Highwaymen closed the gap to league leaders Shildon to just two points, Town having two games in hand.
Nick Gray made just the one change from the side that beat Jarrow Roofing 3-1 at the weekend, Keith Graydon returning to the midfield at the expense of Steven Anderson.
The visitors were nearly gifted a goal in the opening five minutes, Karl Dryden fumbling a Dale Pearson strike, eventually gathering at the third attempt.
Dunston continued to impress in the opening salvos, Alex Francis’ long range effort blocked by the body of a diving Morpeth defender.
The opening goal came from a failed Morpeth Town short corner. As Dunston countered, Michael Hall put in a strong challenge on Malcolm Morien which the referee deemed to be fair despite the assistant waving for a foul. In fairness, the referee was closer to the incident.
From the challenge Morpeth broke with Lee McAndrew down the left. The winger pulled the ball back to Novak who crossed into the penalty area, Sean Taylor heading the ball off the back of Chilton, the rebound falling kindly for the centre-forward who slotted home for his 11th goal of the season, the visitors protesting profusely at the referee’s decision to overrule her assistant.
Morpeth grew in confidence from this point and almost doubled the lead within minutes, Novak’s set piece narrowly over the head of Hall in the six yard box.
In the 27th minute Liam Connell was the hero for Dunston, Chilton winning possession deep in the UTS half, playing in Taylor behind the backline, his cross goal effort from the right clawed behind by the strong right hand of the ‘keeper.
On the half hour mark Graydon took aim with a speculative 30 yard effort, the strike falling well wide of Connell’s goal. Francis sent an equally ambitious effort even further wide from a 35 yard free-kick at the other end.
Morpeth added their second goal on 34 minutes. Luke Carr’s right wing corner headed by Ben Sayer straight at Connell at the back post, the ‘keeper only able to parry to the near post where Chilton was waiting to tap in his second of the game.
It was 3-0 when Craig Hodgson scythed down Carr on the right. James Novak stepped up to take the free-kick 25 yards out, curling a left footed short towards the bottom right hand corner, Connell only able to push the ball into his own net.
Dunston reacted well in the remaining minutes of the first half, Steven Richardson stinging the palms of Dryden with a powerful effort, but straight at the Morpeth stopper.
The visitors should have pulled a goal back just before the half, Richardson slotting the ball through to Pearson, who prodded an effort wide of the mark as Dryden rushed towards him.
Whatever Billy Irwin told his guys at half-time worked, Dunston almost reducing arrears after 15 second half seconds. Substitute Liam Thear finding himself unmarked in the 18-yard box, however, he blazed over when it was easier to hit the target.
McAndrew went close to making it 4-0 on the hour mark, a sliding clearance in the penalty area made its way to him on the left wing, McAndrew’s shot deflected twice as it went narrowly wide of the right hand post.
The Highwaymen continued to press for more, and nearly added to their lead a few minutes later. McAndrew the architect as his cross found Taylor 15 yards out, the strikers shot blocked on the line by a Dunston defender.
The remaining twenty-five minutes saw the home side control possession without really threatening, Dunston trying to find a way back into the game. A tame strike by Pearson from the edge of the area the best opportunity, easily handled by Dryden.
There was still time for one more moment of controversy, UTS right-back Michael Pearson adjudged to have fouled McAndrew on halfway in what was an innocuous challenge.
The referee stopped play with Morpeth in a good position, speaking to her assistant before brandishing Michael Pearson with a second yellow, giving him his marching orders, a harsh decision.
Another three points for Town who continue their stellar start to the season. Next up another difficult challenge against league champions Marske United on Saturday afternoon.
