The Highwaymen made the semi-finals of the Techflow Group Senior Cup following an attack-minded 3-2 win against North Shields at Craik Park.
Morpeth were in the mood for goals and duly delivered courtesy of Keith Graydon’s penalty and Michael Turner’s effort which turned a first half deficit, following Ben Harmison’s opener, into a half-time lead. That was then extended when Liam Henderson found the net once again midway through the second half prior to Gareth Bainbridge’s late goal.
Morpeth gave a first start to former Republic of Ireland international Stephen Elliott as he replaced Mark Davison in attack. Joe Walton was also restored to the starting line-up after recovering from an injury sustained during the away clash at Washington nearly two months ago.
The game started at a frenetic pace, with three goals in the opening 24 minutes. The Robins, looking a threat going forward, got the scoring up and running through Harmison. The bulky striker did superbly to hold off a Morpeth challenge before shooting across goal and into the back of the net.
That moment sparked Town into life and they proceeded to dominate possession for the next 20 minutes, resulting in two goals and a quick turnaround of their fortunes.
The first of those arrived on 18 minutes from the penalty spot after Henderson was dragged to the floor in the area. Captain Graydon then stepped up to confidently slot home the spot-kick and restore parity.
With the home side vibrant, they took the lead six minutes later thanks to an unusual source. Turner, a full-back by trade, had stolen in on the edge of the area and when the ball was worked across to him, he had the time, space and composure to slam home his shot from the edge of the area.
It was no more than Morpeth deserved as Walton, marauding down the right flank at will, continued to find space. On 32 minutes, he also found the cross-bar with a stinging near post drive which keeper Sean McCafferty could only push on to the frame of the goal.
Four minutes after that near miss, Morpeth threatened a third goal through Ben Sayer but the midfielder just couldn’t get a good enough connection on the ball on the stretch, with the cross hitting Turner at the back post before nestling in the grasp of McCafferty.
The game couldn’t possibly stay at the same intensity, with the second half starting at a lower tempo as Town looked to control things. But it was the home side who would score the crucial next goal, seconds after North Shields had made a 68th minute double substitution in an effort to force matters their way.
Henderson was the man in the right place at the right time to fire home into the corner amid a congested penalty area. A pivotal moment, it extended the home side’s advantage past that nervous single goal and moved them one step closer to a final appearance at St James’ Park.
There was still time for substitute Davison to blast a low 80th minute drive straight into the chest of McCafferty as the home side sought a fourth.
But it would be the visitors who would set up a tense finale to the contest, substitute Gareth Bainbridge smashing an effort past Karl Dryden after the defence failed to clear an 86th minute ball in from the right.
Hearts were in mouths for Town in stoppage when Craig McFarlane raced through on goal. With only the keeper to beat, Dryden plucked the ball from the midfielder’s toes to ensure his side progressed to the semi-finals.
Morpeth are next in action on Saturday when they host Stockton Town at Craik Park. This is a 1pm kick-off so come and cheer on the lads as they look to carry on a run of one loss in 14 games.
MORPETH TOWN: Dryden; Forster, Coppen, Dan Carson, Turner; Walton (David Carson 69), Sayer, Graydon, Phillips; Elliott (Davison 68), Henderson.
SUBS NOT USED: Taylor, Farrier, Coombes.
GOALS: Graydon (18), Turner (24), Henderson (68)
NORTH SHIELDS: McCafferty; Donnison, Summerly, Ormston, Groves (Robinson 83), Hughes, McFarlane, Mason, Harmison, Wilson (Bainbridge 68), Luccock (Holmes 68).
SUBS NOT USED: Hayes, Robson.
GOALS: Harmison (9), Bainbridge (86)
ATT: 211
