The Highwaymen recorded another victory on the road as they left Stocksbridge with all three points following a comprehensive 4-0 victory over Park Steels. A brace from David Carson helped Town take the points with further goals from Liam Henderson and Joe Walton.
Morpeth started the game on the front foot and should have taken the lead through Tom Potter on 3 minutes. Liam Henderson got the ball down the left side of the penalty box and cut the ball back for the arriving Potter, who flicked his effort narrowly wide.
Sean Taylor was next to try his luck and on 11 minutes his effort was curled narrowly wide after he had expertly made space for himself on the edge of the area. Adam Kelsey, the Stocksbridge could only watch as the effort curled wide.
Only a minute later and Taylor turned provider as he dinked a cross to the near post where Henderson had gotten in front of his marker and glanced his header wide of the post. It was a touch chance for the striker as he was beyond the near post when glancing it towards goal.
The hosts rallied themselves and arguably created the best chance of the game on 24 minutes. Brodie Litchfield capitalised on a long ball that wasn’t cut out and he raced clear to face Dan Lowson but the ‘keeper stood tall and made a fabulous save to deny the hosts taking the lead.
The visitors responded and it was Sam Hodgson who had the next effort. The defensively minded midfielder picked the ball up on the edge of the area and smashed a thunderbolt that flew narrowly over the bar and in doing so denied Hodgson his first goal of the season.
Just after the half hour mark, the Highwaymen deservedly went in front. Henderson sprung the offside trap and raced towards goal. He rounded Kelsey and the ‘keeper could do nothing more than bring Henderson down. The referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and cautioning Kelsey. David Carson kept his composure and rolled the ball down the middle for his third penalty in three games.
Approaching halftime and Taylor was denied by Kelsey. The ball was played into Taylor who did remarkably well to control it and turn but his effort was blocked by the sprawling ‘keeper.
The second half got underway in monsoon conditions and if anything the rain got worse as the half progressed.
The interval seemed to reinvigorate the home side and Kane Swinburn had the opportunity to draw the sides level on 51 minutes. The Park Steels winger cut in from the right and shot at goal but it lacked the necessary power to test Dan Lowson. Lowson distributed the ball quickly and the move ended with Carson lashing over the bar.
A minute later and Henderson thought he grabbed his 6th goal in 6 games was denied by the officials as he was flagged for offside. It was a tight call as he redirected David Carson’s effort from the edge of the area.
The second goal did arrive and came on 54 minutes. David Carson was again the scorer but this time was aided by the helping hand of Kelsey who should have gotten a stronger hand to the drive from Carson.
Scott Ruthven who had cut an isolated figure for the hosts playing the lone striker reminded Morpeth that the game wasn’t finished. Ruthven was able to turn in the box but similarly to Swinburn, his effort lacked power and was comfortably claimed by Lowson.
Liam Henderson grabbed the all important goal on 74 minutes. Joe Walton who had been introduced as a substitute moments before crossed to the back post where Henderson powered his header into the turf and past a helpless Kelsey.
Wayne Phillips who had also made his way off the bench went close to the fourth but his magical, weaving run was not to be rewarded as Kelsey went full length to his right to tip the ball away.
The game was sealed in the final minute of added time when Joe Walton rose unmarked and planted is header beyond Kelsey. It was a delightful corner from Ben Sayer who registered yet another assist for the campaign.
Ultimately, it was another three points for the Highwaymen who maintained their 6 point lead at the top of the table. Stocksbridge played their part and did shade parts of the game but Morpeth had the cutting edge and clinical finishing to take the points.
Next up for the Highwaymen is the Techflow Group Northumberland Senior Cup tie with Heaton Stannington on Wednesday evening. Kick off at Grounsell Park is 7.30pm.
Morpeth are away next Saturday when they face Lincoln United who registered their first win since November with a derby win over Spalding on Saturday.
Stocksbridge Park Steels: Kelsey, Lemon (Saeed, 82), Coleman, Langton, McFadyen, Fielding, Rhodes (Charlesworth, 82), Wiles, Litchfield, Ruthven, Swinburn (Whitham).
Subs Not Used: Thompson, Hall.
Goals: N/A
Morpeth Town: Lowson, Fry, Turner, Sayer (c), J. Henderson, Petrache, Taylor (Walton, 70), Hodgson, Henderson (Foalle, 78), David Carson, Potter (Phillips, 70).
Subs Not Used: Graydon, Mott.
Goals: David Carson 32’ & 54’, L. Henderson 74’, Walton 90+3’.
Man of the Match: David Carson
