Picture: George Davidson

In atrocious conditions, Morpeth Town secured three hard-earned points at Washington.

Chris Reid got the visitors off to a promising start, with a 21st minute tap-in, before a Michael Laws own goal on 69 minutes settled matters as the rain and wind whipped a bitterly cold Nissan Sports Complex. Laws then added a late consolation in stoppage time.

Stephen Turnbull made his first start for the club in place of the injured Ben Sayer, who underwent surgery at the start of the week.

With Chris Reid slotting in at centre-back, in place of Curtis Coppen, the management duo of Nick Gray and Dave Malone opted for small tweaks to their side as they went in search of three points at the Nissan Complex.

Morpeth pressed from the off and had a dominant grip on proceedings prior to taking a 21st minute lead. Liam Henderson was the architect, getting in behind the Washington defence before finding Reid in the box. With keeper Dan Gladstone attempting to block the cross, Reid was left with an easy finish from two yards out.

The Highwaymen continued to exert pressure on the hosts and should have been two to the good four minutes later. However, Henderson had his first shot blocked in the box before he slashed wildly at the second attempt, sending it wide.

Wayne Phillips was next to go close for the away side on 33 minutes. Following excellent play on the byline by Joe Walton, the latter teed up Phillips on the edge of the box. But with Mechanics defenders swarming toward him, he could only curl his shot narrowly over the top.

The creator of that chance nearly found his way on to the scoresheet moments after, but his low drilled effort, when in behind the Washington defence, was superbly stopped by the legs of the increasingly over-worked Gladstone.

In a highly competitive second half, as conditions deteriorated, it was Morpeth who netted the crucial second goal of the game through an own goal.

After Sean Taylor had been played into space down the right flank, he sent the ball into the area, with Laws sliding the ball into his own net as he desperately tried to clear.

Sub Luke Carr generated his own opportunity in the 71st minute, but after cutting inside on the edge of the area his drive struck the legs of Gladstone.

As the game meandered to the final whistle, Michael Turner sent a vicious drive inches over the top in the 85th minute as Town secured the spoils.

There was still time for a home consolation as Laws atoned for his earlier own goal with a header at the right end of the pitch.

Morpeth are next in action when they travel to face Team Northumbria on Saturday (28th).

 

MORPETH TOWN: Dryden; Forster, Carson, Reid, Turner; Graydon, Turnbull (Carr 67), Phillips; Walton (Davison 56), Henderson (Orrell 75), Taylor.

SUBS NOT USED: Fry, Coppen.

GOALS: Reid (21), Laws OG (69)

WASHINGTON: Gladstone, Evans (Grieveson 52), Cham, Gardiner, Laws, White, Chimbonda (Dent 18), Pickard, Wilson (Gardener 75), Williamson, Pickford.

SUBS NOT USED: Mogwo, Greenwood.

GOALS: Laws (90)

ATT: 125

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