Morpeth completed an emphatic performance against a determined Carlton Town side to record their 5th straight league win. Iulian Petrache opened the scoring before Sean Taylor doubled the advantage, Joe Walton scored what is becoming his customary penalty before Liam Henderson completed the rout.
There was little to report in the opening stages of the game and it took until the 9th minute for the first shot. Liam Henderson raced clear but his effort from just inside the 18yd box was tame and gathered comfortably by Jack Steggles.
On 10 minutes, Ben Sayer looked to repeat his goal scoring heroics from Tuesday evening but his curling effort flew harmlessly over the bar.
As Morpeth looked to up the ante, Carlton Town dropped deeper and looked to hit the Highwaymen on the break. It was David Carson who was next to try his luck but his drilled effort was scuffed and dealt with by Steggles.
Halfway through the first half, Tom Potter came closest to breaking the deadlock when he struck a sweet volley after a corner had only been headed as far as the edge of the 18yd box. Unfortunately for Morpeth, the ball flew inches wide of the far post.
The visitors’ game plan was disrupted just shy half of the half hour mark when Aaron Opoku who had been battling with Iulian Petrache was forced off with a suspected hip injury. Joshua Kwadu offered a different attacking approach for the Millers.
Three times before the interval, Liam Henderson went close to opening the scoring but on each two occasions he was to be denied by Steggles. Twice he curled his efforts into the arms of Steggles before seeing another effort blocked by the face of Keiran Walker.
The visitors ended the half by nearly taking the lead with Edward Clarke stinging the fingertips of Dan Lowson in the Morpeth goal.
Morpeth started the second half as they had played the majority of the first by being on the front foot and looking to break down a resolute Carlton side.
Potter again went close as he cut in from the right before driving a left footed effort that brought a stunning save from Steggles.
The deadlock was finally broken on 63 minutes when the prolific Iulian Petrache smashing home with aplomb from Ben Sayer’s cross.
The goal seemed to suck the life out of Carlton who had frustrated the Highwaymen for the better part of an hour.
With 15 minutes to play, the lead was doubled. Sean Taylor was quickest to react to a through ball and he calmly stroked the ball home.
The scoring wasn’t finished there but it took until the 88th minute for the third goal to arrive. Liam Henderson tempted Walker into the challenge and the referee pointed to the spot. Joe Walton stepped up and rolled the ball down the middle of the goal.
Into added time and the scoring was complete when Walton who had arrived as a second half substitute raced from his own box to the edge of the Carlton box before rolling it across to Liam Henderson who converted.
It was another comprehensive display from the Highwaymen who found their rhythm in the second half.
Next up for Morpeth is a game against Ossett United on Tuesday evening at Craik Park with Town looking to extend their winning league run.
MORPETH TOWN: Lowson; Danny Carson (Forster, 86), Turner, Sayer (c), Petrache, J. Henderson, Taylor, Hodgson, Potter (Burnicle, 79), L. Henderson, David Carson (Walton, 63).
SUBS NOT USED: McDonald, Reid.
GOALS: Petrache (63), Taylor (75), Walton (88), Liam Henderson (90).
CARLTON TOWN: Steggles, Robinson, Bartle, Tabreham, Clarke, Walker (c), Frost, Clark, Opoku (Kwadu, 29), Stokes (Tomlinson, 60), Smithson (Ilesanmi, 51).
SUBS NOT USED:
MAN OF THE MATCH: Iulian Petrache
