By Stuart Dick (@StuOnSport)
Paul Robinson netted his ninth and tenth goals of the season as Morpeth Town continued their unbeaten run, which has now reached seven games, at the expense of newly promoted Chester-Le-Street Town.
After a frustrating first 40 minutes, Robinson broke the deadlock three minutes before the break and added a second just 57 seconds later.
Substitute Steven Anderson netted the third just minutes after coming on before the enigmatic Luke Carr completed the scoring in the 89th minute.
Nick Gray and Dave Malone made just two changes from Saturday’s fantastic FA Cup triumph over Colwyn Bay, Jordan Fry and Chris Swailes replaced by James Novak and Matthew Grieve.
The Cestrians started the game on the front foot, taking the game to the Highwaymen. David Latham going close in the opening five minutes, but the wide man was unable to test Dryden with his effort.
Despite the game being end to end for the opening quarter of an hour, chances were at a premium, Ben Sayer with the best of the bunch, but he saw his shot deflected wide by a defender.
Long range efforts from Keith Graydon and Sayer midway through the firs period tested Jack Wilson, but in truth the ‘keeper would have been disappointed to beaten from either attempt.
In the 36th minute the Highwaymen were denied a stonewall penalty. A mistake at the back for Chester-Le-Street saw Michael Chilton beat Wilson to a bouncing ball. Wilson bulldozed Chilton down, who beat ‘keeper to the header, the ball falling just the wrong side of the upright for the hosts.
The home side didn’t have to wait much longer for the opener. Sayer picked up the ball just inside the visitors’ half and galloped towards goal before timing a through ball to perfection allowing Robinson to take a touch before tucking the ball past Wilson.
The second came almost from the restart, Graydon winning possession in his own half before unleashing Carr down the right flank. He marauded diagonally towards goal before picking out the run of Robinson on the left.
The midfielder cut the ball onto his favoured right foot and hit the ball goal-wards from an acute angle, the ‘keeper only able to parry the ball into his own net.
Robinson looked to complete a hat-trick just three minutes into the second half, a 25-yard effort sailing over for the in-form midfielder.
And the pressure did not relent on the Cestrian’s goal, Morpeth fully in control and playing some fantastic football.
Carr was causing a nuisance down the right, twice leaving the left-back for dead before crossing low through the six-yard box, both times no one was on hand to finish.
On 65 minutes Carr tried his luck with another inviting cross, this time Chilton was in the right place at the right time, but was unable to hit the target.
Carr was causing the visitors all sorts of problem, and another mazy run of his brought a fine save from Wilson, the left footer’s effort parried over.
The introduction of Steven Anderson and Sean Taylor in the 71st minute upped the ante for the home side, and the change proved fruitful just four minutes later.
Stephen Forster was played in down the right flank, the right-back able to drill a low cross into the six-yard box where Anderson tapped home to all but secure the three points.
Carr finally got the goal his performance deserved with just one-minute remaining in normal time. The forward slid a ball into the path of Taylor in the penalty area, who in turn found the continuing run of Carr who slotted home for the fourth.
An excellent performance and clean sheet for the Highwaymen as they prepare for one of their toughest tests of the season, as Shildon are the visitors on Saturday.
Morpeth Town: Dryden, Forster, Novak, Sayer, Grieve, Reid, Mulle, Graydon (Halambiec, 80 min), Carr, Chilton (Anderson, 71min), Robinson (Taylor, 71 min).
Unused: Swailes, Fondato
Chester-Le-Street: Wilson, Surrey, Watchman, Stephenson, Grant-Soulsby, Peck, Latham, Bedding, Halpin, Laws, M.Hepplewhite
Subs: Mole, Graver, Mickle, Ritchie, Reynolds
Goals: 1-0 Paul Robinson, 42 min. 2-0 Paul Robinson, 41 min. 3-0 Steven Anderson, 75 min. 4-0 Luke Carr, 89 min.
Referee: Andrew Kitchen
Assistants: Lee May & Asa McDonough
Attendance: TBC
Photo: Chris Chambers/ CJC Photo (Official Club Photographer of Morpeth Town)
