Morpeth Town returned to form in commanding fashion with a dominant 4-1 win at local rivals Blyth Spartans in the Pitching In NPL Premier Division, writes Ross Jackson.
A vibrant display saw the Highwaymen score twice in the first half, through Jack Foalle and Nathan Buddle, before registering twice more in the second half, with Nic Bollado and Foalle once more on target.
The game started with Morpeth on the front foot and keen to impose a high tempo on the game but it would be struggling Spartans who’d have a first sight of goal on five minutes, Isiah Cornet lashing well over the top when well placed.
Three minutes later and many of the travelling support thought Rhys Evans had scored against his former club. However, the ball would fly just past the post, hitting the stanchion.
Industrious play from Danny Barlow saw the ex-Spartan flash a shot wide of the near post on 21 minutes as Morpeth grasped the initiative.
Foalle would come as close to scoring as possible on 24 minutes when his dipping effort thumped the bar before Luke James, impressive throughout, volleyed over the rebound.
Jordan Hickey, enjoying his best Town display since joining, sprayed a brilliant cross-field ball into the path of Bollado, but the forward’s header lacked the power to beat Harrison Bond in the Blyth goal.
Skipper Jeff Henderson nodded an effort on to the roof of the net, and Foalle drove straight at Bond, either side of a deflection so nearly giving the hosts the lead on 36 minutes. Langley was able to gather before the ball found the back of the net.
Despite dominating possession and the chance count, that effort gave the visitors a sharp reminder and inspired them to score two goals in four minutes just before half-time.
Foalle got the first, latching on to a raking cross-field ball from Bollado to slot a shot through the keeper’s legs on 40 minutes to spark celebrations among the travelling hordes.
If that was good, Buddle delivered even better four minutes later, nodding Barlow’s beautifully weighted corner into the net at the far post to put his side in a commanding position at the interval.
Far from taking their foot off the pedal, Morpeth went in search of more in the second half against a side providing Town with plenty of the ball and opportunities to score.
The third goal would arrive on 59 minutes when Evans’ slide-rule pass found Bollado marauding forward. He stepped inside Woods’ challenge before coolly striking into the corner to all but confirm the three points.
James shot straight at Bond on 63 minutes before Blyth blazed over from close range three minutes later as they attempted to reduce the deficit.
But Morpeth would continue to flow forward, Fenton John seeing a goal ruled out for offside prior to a chaotic 30 seconds on 76 minutes. First, substitute Vinnie Steels – as part of an impressive cameo – saw his near post effort pushed wide by the keeper. He picked up the loose ball and dinked it to Foalle, but his header hit the inside of the far post as Blyth’s goal led a charmed life.
Foalle would get his second goal of the afternoon on 80 minutes, again finding the ball at the far post but on this occasion chipping it over keeper and defender and into the far corner.
Leading 4-0, Foalle had a shot from the halfway line just tipped away from goal by Bond as Town threatened a fifth.
But the last goal of the game would go to the home side, Zack Simpson heading in after Dan Langley had superbly denied the hosts with a brilliant save seconds before.
It wouldn’t change the outcome as Morpeth took the spoils from this Northumberland derby. Town are next in action when they host Emley in the FA Cup First Qualifying Round on Saturday at Craik Park (3pm).
BLYTH SPARTANS: Bond, Abrahart (Ndiweni 46’), Holvey, Aitken, Milburn, Pani, Cornet (Gordon 46’), Woods (Simpson 64’), Curry (Burke 76’), Gomes, Deverdics (c).
SUBS: Hogan
MORPETH TOWN: Langley, Evans, Robson (King 80’), Barlow (Dowling 77’), Henderson (c), Buddle (Wombwell 88’), John, Hickey, Foalle, Bollado (Davison 83’), James (Steels 71’).
SUBS:
ATT: 1,120
