The Highwaymen cruised through to the final of the Techflow Group Northumberland Senior Cup final with a comfortable victory over holders Newcastle United Under 23’s.
Liam Henderson headed the hosts in front moments into the second half and that lead was doubled through Joe Walton’s second penalty in as many games.
Morpeth began the game on the front foot without creating any clear-cut opportunities. Joe Walton had the first chance of the game but he nodded over Sean Taylor’s cross.
Newcastle did respond and Yannick Touré raced clear and rounded Dan Lowson but Stephen Forster had tracked his man every step of the way to clear the danger.
A quarter of the way through the game and Town really started to turn the screw. Michael Turner flashed a header over the bar before Walton stung the palms of Nathan Harker in the Newcastle goal.
Just before the half hour mark, Jeff Henderson had the clearest opportunity but the ball just wouldn’t sit nicely for him as he looked to stab it home. David Carson had whipped the ball to the far post where Taylor nodded the ball down for Henderson.
Carson was involved again on 42 minutes. He swapped passes with Liam Henderson and was released on goal, he took aim for the bottom corner but Harker was equal to it and produced a stunning save.
The Highwaymen didn’t have long to wait for the goal that their play deserved. On 47 minutes, Joe Walton got down the right flank and stood a cross up to the far post where Liam Henderson showed the desire to reach the ball first and powered his header past Harker.
On the hour mark, the lead was doubled and it was the man with ice in his veins as Joe Walton rolled the ball home from the penalty spot. Carson had chased a bouncing ball and reached it before Harker before the ‘keeper cleaned him out.
Sam Hodgson almost grabbed his first goal for the club when he got across his marker at the front post but saw his effort deflected wide.
Sean Taylor was sent off on 73 minutes when he lunged in on Matty Longstaff. Despite the numerical advantage that Newcastle had for the remaining 17 minutes plus stoppage time, they never threatened to get back into the game.
The referee blew the final whistle with Morpeth enjoying a rather comfortable evening. A lot could be said about the lack of passion and desire shown by Newcastle but that would only take away from the intensity and fire that is shown by the Morpeth squad not just tonight but in every game.
They will face North Shields in the final on a date which is yet to be decided. The Highwaymen will be back in league action on Saturday when they make the long trip to face Lincoln United.
Morpeth Town: Lowson, Forster (Potter, 76), Turner, Phillips (c), J. Henderson, Reid, Taylor, Hodgson, L. Henderson (Foalle, 85’), David Carson (Mohammed, 89’), Walton.
Subs not Used: Petrache, Tsapalos.
Goals: L. Henderson 47’, Walton (p) 60’.
Newcastle United U23’s: Harker, Barrett (Sangare, 46’), Walters, Watts, Bailey (c), Cass, Allan, Young, Touré (Bartlett, 68’), Longstaff, Longelo (Cumbrebras, 62).
Subs not Used: McEntee, Huuhtanen
Goals: N/A
Man of the Match: Liam Henderson.
Att: 1,456
