Match Report proudly sponsored by Northumbria Print
The Highwaymen cruised into the quarter finals of the Integro Challenge Cup as they dismantled South Shields at Mariners Park on Wednesday evening.
Morpeth went goal crazy as they hit 5 for the second time in a week with Joe Walton grabbing a brace with further efforts from Stephen Turnbull, Sam Hodgson and Ben Ramsey sealing an impressive 5-2 victory.
Town got off to the perfect start on 6 minutes when Joe Walton rifled the ball home into the top corner of the net after Jack Foalle had done well down the left side before rolling the ball across the box for Walton.
The hosts tried to respond and Dan Lowson did well to stand up and block a shot from Josh Gillies before the resulting corner was headed wide by Gonzales.
Morpeth came close to doubling their tally on 14 minutes but Whitley was alert enough to make an awkward save to deny a curling effort from Ben Sayer.
Shields hit back immediately but Lowson was again equal to the effort from Lee Mason as Morpeth clung onto their lead.
South Shields did duly level on 20 minutes when Mason was able to bundle home a low cross from Jordan Hunter.
The Mariners took the advantage and Nathan Lowe curled an effort narrowly wide of the post before playing a pivotal role in the next goal.
Lowe made a run into the area before going to ground under minimal contact from Jeff Henderson with the loose ball running to Gonzales who stroked the ball home from the edge of the area. Some of the Morpeth players were incensed that Lowe hadn’t been cautioned for his dive.
On 35 minutes, Morpeth came close to equalising as Walton stuck out his right foot and saw the ball deflect off the post and back into the arms of Whitley as Foalle again tried to be the creator.
Sayer then saw his fizzing drive fly wide of the far post as the half ticked into added time before Micky Turner had a header that went wide of the back post from a corner.
The Highwaymen levelled on 52 minutes when Stephen Turnbull was allowed the time and space to pick his spot from distance. Despite the effort taking a deflection it whistled into the bottom corner giving the ‘keeper no chance.
Shields wanting to win the game in normal time made further changes with leading scorer Jason Gilchrist and Robert Briggs entering the fray.
Joe Walton added his second of the game on 72 minutes when a fluid counter-attack involving himself and Foalle ended with the latter teeing up Walton to arrow the ball home from the edge of the area.
South Shields were reduced to 10 men on 79 minutes when Aaron Thompson was unable to continue following an accidental clash with Turnbull.
Morpeth were not in a forgiving mood and made their extra man count as Turnbull saw a free kick tipped onto the bar from Whitley before Ben Ramsey saw his follow up cleared off the line by Gary Brown.
Sam Hodgson sealed the win in the 89th minute when he converted a Turnbull corner. On his 68th appearance, Hodgson grabbed his first goal for the club and booked a place in the quarter finals.
There was to be a further goal in added time when Whitley attempted to play the ball out from the back and could only pass the ball to Ramsey. The youngster grabbed his second goal in three appearances as he kept his composure and passed the ball past the ‘keeper to make it 5.
It was a deserved victory for a much-changed Morpeth side who will have given manager Nick Gray a lot to think about ahead of their return to league action on Saturday when they welcome Hyde United to Craik Park. Kick off is at 3pm.
South Shields: Whitley, Hunter (Baxter, 46’) Charlton, Turnbull (c), Verstraaten, Brown, Gillies (Briggs, 70’), Thompson, Gonzalez (Gilchrist, 70’), Lowe, Mason.
Subs: Ross
Goals: Mason 20’, Gonzales 29’.
Morpeth Town: Lowson, Williams (Forster, 67’), Turner, Sayer (Hodgson, 72’), Hutchinson, J. Henderson, Walton, Turnbull, Foalle, Mohammed (Robson, 79’), Ramsey.
Subs not Used: Reid, Milburn
Goals: Walton 6’, 72’, Turnbull 52’, Hodgson 89’, Ramsey 90+1’
Man of the Match: Stephen Turnbull
Attendance: 489
