Morpeth Town made light work of Newcastle Benfield as they started a run of five games in 15 days with three points.

Sean Taylor made the early breakthrough, taking four minutes to break the deadlock at Sam Smith’s Park before Liam Henderson added a second 17 minutes later. The striker doubled his tally for the night with a straightforward strike on 67 minutes as the Highwaymen ensured a routine win.

Jake Orrell made his first start for the club since a loan move from Spennymoor, as the management team rotated their squad with three matches in six days, but it was fellow winger Taylor who made the difference in the opening exchanges.

The free-scoring Taylor registered with a trademark back-post finish, stooping to head Ben Sayer’s cross across goal and into the far corner with Andrew Grainger a mere fourth minute spectator.

Henderson threatened to add to the score-line but his shot from right to left was dragged past the far post.

He wouldn’t be denied on 21 minutes though as the striker, played in by Sayer, hit the ball through the keeper and knocked in on the line just to make sure.

The Highwaymen were playing with control and style as they played the ball wide, waiting for runners and ensuring possession for long spells.

Although there was no addition to the score-line before half-time, Morpeth were firmly in control.

They extended that lead midway through the second half. With the hosts threatening sporadically, Town proved much more clinical, a sumptuous dink over the top of the Benfield defence from Sayer releasing Henderson in behind.

With only the goalkeeper to beat, the forward drilled his effort through Grainger’s legs to make the game safe.

Richard Slaughter should have reduced the arrears for the home side but his back-post header, when free in the six-yard box, sailed over the top on 76 minutes.

Taylor could have added to his own personally tally, but, after cutting in from the left and playing a neat one-two with substitute Joe Walton, he smashed a shot from the edge of the area off the post.

There was still time for Ryu Williamson to register for his side in the 83rd minute, latching on to a through ball in the heart of the Town defence to slot past Karl Dryden and reduce the deficit.

But it wouldn’t affect the outcome as Morpeth eased to a win that oozed class and control.

There’s no time to savour victory though as the Highwaymen prepare for the visit of Bishop Auckland in less than 48 hours.

NEWCASTLE BENFIELD: Grainger, Turnbull, Novak, Slaughter, Esdaille, Dummett, Williamson, McEvoy (Hailes 72), Brayson, Taylor (Leedham 45), McCarthy (Hudson 72).

SUBS NOT USED: Bowey, Nimmins.

GOALS: Williamson (83)

MORPETH TOWN: Dryden; Forster, Coppen (Turner 74), Carson, Reid; Graydon, Sayer, Phillips; Taylor, Henderson (Davison 68), Orrell (Walton 67).

SUBS NOT USED: Farrier.

GOALS: Taylor (4), Henderson (21 and 67),

ATT: 169