EBAC Northern League Division One
West Auckland Town 0-2 Morpeth Town
Michael Chilton 2
By Stuart Dick at Seagrove Stadium, West Auckland
Morpeth Town did just enough to stay top of the EBAC Northern League table with a 2-0 win at West Auckland Town on Saturday afternoon.
Michael Chilton was the hero on the day, netting twice in the first half. A nervy second half ensued, however, as defender Stephen Forster was given his marching for a late challenge in the 49th minute.
Despite being down to 10 men, West Auckland barely threatened, and the Highwaymen walked away with a comfortable 2-0 win.
Steven Anderson and Chris Swailes were given their first starts of the season with James Novak away and Lee McAndrew on the bench. It didn’t take long for the team in amber and gold to take the lead. Sean Taylor playing in Michael Chilton behind the West Auckland defence with the striker finishing coolly into the top right hand corner past Knight.
It was expected Morpeth would go on to dominate the game against the team sitting bottom of the table, but the visitors struggled to create any goal scoring opportunities. At the back the Highwaymen looked solid, with West Auckland creating very little either.
The first half an hour provided no chances after Chilton’s opener, the next attempt on goal coming on 31 minutes when Ben Sayer was followed on the left wing. Sayer stepped up to take the free-kick, lofting the ball into the penalty area where Chilton headed home the second via the crossbar.
West Auckland finally managed an attempt on goal on 43 minutes. A quick free-kick on halfway was played to Matthew Crossen who hit a well struck effort from 40 yards just wide of Karl Dryden’s right hand post.
With five minutes gone in the second half Morpeth were reduced to 10 men. Stephen Forster picking up a loose ball, but took too big of a touch before lunging in two-footed on a West Auckland defender, the ref producing an instant red card.
10 minutes later arrears should have been reduced, Reece Kenney blazing over from 15 yards out when it was easier to hit the target. The next 25 minutes consisted of the home side putting pressure on the Morpeth defence without creating any chances.
With five minutes remaining, the Highwaymen were denied a penalty by a blatant handball that could be seen all around the ground. West Auckland captain Ross Gardener handling a Sayer free-kick which was destined for the head of Jordan Fry.
In truth, a disappointing performance from Morpeth Town, but three vital points that stretches the Highwaymen’s unbeaten run to five games to start the season..
