Goals at crucial moments ensured Morpeth Town saw off a spirited Stockton Town as they recorded their seventh win in a row in EBAC Northern League Division One.
Sean Taylor got the home side off to a good start in the 24th minute, before Mark Davison doubled the lead in the second period. Although Max Craggs halved the deficit, Curtis Coppen netted a third to seal three vital points.
Morpeth made few changes to their starting line-up, with David Carson missing out after picking up an injury in training on Monday. Wayne Phillips came in to replace him.
It was the visitors who made the brighter start though, showing plenty of verve and attacking intent in the opening 10 minutes. Keith Graydon lashed an early strike wide for the hosts but after that it was all Stockton, Fred Woodhouse blasting over the top from close range before a succession of corners forced moments of panic in the home defence.
As the Highwaymen edged their way back into the game, they started to create chances. The best of which came in the 22nd minute when Davison found Joe Walton in the box unmarked. However, the latter fluffed his lines, sending a tame shot straight into the keeper’s grasp.
But the home support didn’t need to wait long for the opening goal from their side. Two minutes later and Taylor created a yard of space before lashing a shot across goal and into the far corner.
Morpeth came out far the stronger in the second half and threatened a second goal when Taylor latched on to a raking long ball out of defence. But the midfielder delayed too long and allowed a challenge to come in from a Stockton defender when he was bearing down on goal.
Three minutes later and Walton’s dinked cross to the back post found Davison. The latter sent a header across goal and inches past the far post, with Graydon sliding in unsuccessfully. Although there was no goal on that occasion, Davison would net Morpeth’s second on 58 minutes. The striker was able to bundle in Taylor’s cross from the right as the Highwaymen deservedly scored another to create breathing space.
That two-goal advantage lasted until the 65th minute before Craggs reduced the arrears with a powerful header from eight yards that left Dan Lowson with no chance. Fast forward eight minutes and Morpeth restored their cushion through Coppen.
The centre-back was up for a Ben Sayer free-kick from the right and was able to slam home from four yards after the ball had dropped invitingly in the area.
Stockton were still posing a threat going forward and should have got within touching distance once again in the 74th minute. A fierce initial strike was saved superbly by Lowson before the keeper blocked a close range rebound effort in equally impressive fashion.
As the visitors tired, so the chances came with Graydon sending a free-kick into the side netting after Taylor was felled by Stockton stopper Liam Jordan outside the area. Liam Henderson struck the Anchors’ keeper from close range soon after as the home side eased to victory.
The Highwaymen are next in action when they host Jarrow Roofing at Craik Park on Saturday (3pm). This is followed by the visit of Blyth Spartans in the Techflow Group Senior Cup semi-final on Wednesday (7.30pm)
MORPETH TOWN: Lowson; Dan Carson, Reid, Coppen, Turner; Sayer, Graydon (capt), Phillips (Forster 83); Walton (Norris 83), Davison (Henderson 73), Taylor.
SUBS NOT USED: Coombes, Stokoe.
GOALS: Taylor (24), Davison (58), Coppen (73)
STOCKTON TOWN: Jordan; Coulthard, Ward (Dunwell 80), Cossavella, Nicholson (capt), Mulligan, Garbutt (Coleman 63), Craggs, Woodhouse, Owens, Risbrough.
SUBS NOT USED: Stockton, Arthur.
GOALS: Craggs (65)
ATT: 127
