Morpeth claimed their second successive 2-0 win in pre-season following a hardworking win over Ashington on Tuesday evening, writes Sam Donovan.
An even first hour of the game was fairly even but the introduction of the substitutions changed the patter of the game and goals followed from Andrew Johnson and Liam Henderson.
The hosts started well and former Blyth Spartan, Jack Butler saw an effort roll wide of the far post after 2 minutes.
Morpeth started to get a foothold in the game and created the best opportunity on 15 minutes. A free kick was taken short by Connor Oliver and when Shabz Mohammed crossed the ball into the area it was met by the head of Jack Foalle but the striker saw his header cannon back off the bar.
The first half saw little in the way of clear-cut chances but on 32 minutes another cross into the area wasn’t dealt with by the home defence and Ryan Hutchinson saw his effort scrambled off the line.
Butler had the first opportunity of the second half as well but a wayward finish went high over the bar on 49 minutes before their number also cleared the bar with a thumping effort.
Oliver saw a free kick blocked by the wall before the second ball into the area was met with screams of handball from the Morpeth players but the referee wasn’t interested.
Morpeth began to turn the screw and Liam Henderson sidefooted wide from 6 yards wide after Chris Reid had done well down the left.
On the hour, the Highwaymen had the chance to take the lead from the spot after Henderson was pulled to the ground. Adam McHugh dived to his left and was at full stretch to deny Oliver from the spot as the game remained goalless.
Six minutes later and with the introduction of seven substitutes for Morpeth, they started to create clear chances. Andrew Johnson cut in from the left wing and saw and effort parried by McHugh but the ‘keeper was up again to deny Henderson.
Liam Noble was next to try his luck but his low drive from 25 yards was gathered by McHugh as the ‘keeper got down to it.
Just when it looked like the goal that Morpeth deserved wasn’t going to be forthcoming it arrived on 80 minutes. Johnson again was invited to cut inside and his strike took a deflection off an Ashington defender and wrongfooted McHugh to nestle in the back of the net.
Just like buses, you wait for one and then two come along; Town doubled their lead 90 seconds later as Liam Henderson found the bottom corner with a low effort that McHugh could only get fingertips to.
There was to be no further chances as Morpeth ran out winners in a close contest but they’ll be happy with how pre-season is progressing as they prepare for a trip to Consett on Saturday.
Lowson (Trialist, 46’), Hutchinson, Turner (J. Henderson 62’), Williams (Forster 62’), Mohammed (Hodgson 62’), Reid, Oliver (Noble 62’), Sayer (Walton 62’), Phillips (Johnson 62’), Foalle (Trialist 62’), L. Henderson.
