By Andrew McDonnell (@AndrewSJourno)

Morpeth Town kicked off the new Northern League campaign with a 3-1 win over newly-promoted Stockton Town.

Joe Walton opened the scoring midway through a dominant first half with a header from close range.

Luke Carr and Mark Davison pressed home Morpeth’s advantage in the second-half, while Jamie Owens added a consolation five minutes from time.

The Highwaymen picked up their first three points of the season and now turn their attention to Billingham Synthonia on Saturday.

Nick Gray and Dave Malone’s side crashed out of the Emirates FA Cup last weekend, and they were looking for a reaction from that.

Wayne Phillips had the first chance of the game on 12 minutes, his long-range effort was saved by the Stockton ‘keeper.

Walton had an effort cleared off the line four minutes later, his lob over Liam Jordan was heading into the net before Tom Coulthard scrambled the ball away.

Morpeth were enjoying their fair share of possession and after Sean Taylor fired just over the bar, the visitors went ahead on 26 minutes.

Mark Davison nodded the ball across goal, to the back post, and Walton stooped low to head home – his second goal of the new campaign.

Phillips, Davison and Walton all went close to doubling Morpeth’s advantage thereafter, with the latter racing through on goal before the ‘keeper closed him down and made a good save.

Stockton’s first chance of the game came a minute before half-time, as Kallum Hannah’s delightful effort went just over the bar.

The hosts didn’t offer much going forward in the first 45 minutes, but they did create the first chance of the second-half.

Hannah’s looping header had Karl Dryden racing back to goal, and the ‘keeper managed to push the ball over the bar.

Substitute Owens almost made an instant impact as he struck over the bar, but Morpeth responded immediately and found a second goal in the game just after the hour mark.

Carr, who re-joined Morpeth in the summer, picked the ball on the edge of the area, and struck into the bottom corner.

The Highwaymen were on top and made their possession count as they scored their third 10 minutes later.

Walton rolled the ball into the path of Davison, who took the ball past his marker before firing across goal and into the bottom corner.

The visitors certainly warranted their 3-0 lead in the game, however, Stockton managed to find a consolation goal late in the game.

A long ball over the top bounced on the edge of the area, sailed over the top of the advancing Dryden, and Owens had the easiest of finishes – tapping into an empty net.

Stockton Town: Jordan, Carter, Hayes, Craggs, Cossavella (Posthill, 46), Coulthard, Mulligan, Woodhouse, Coleman (Garbutt, 67), Hannah (Owens, 63), Stockton

Subs Not Used: Ward, Johnson

Morpeth Town: Dryden, Forster, Turner, Phillips, Coppen, Reid (Carr, 46), Taylor, Carson, Davison (Chilton, 78), Walton, Fry

Subs Not Used: Pell, Hiftle, Henderson

Goals: 0-1, 26 min, Walton; 0-2, 65 min, Carr; 0-3, 75 min, Davison; 1-3, 86 min, Owens

Referee: Sam Ross

Assistants: Daniel Jackson and Gavin Scott

Attendance: 285

Photo: Harry Cook/ Stockton Town FC