A strong second half display saw Morpeth Town claim a convincing 4-1 win at home to Pickering Town in Evo-Stik East.
The league champions hit the front through David Carson’s venomous strike, only to be pegged back by Danny Earl’s neat finish on 33 minutes. But the home side would pull clear in the second half, Stephen Forster, Jeff Henderson and Joe Walton all netting to seal three points.
Town actually needed to feel their way into the game after a strong start from the visitors, who struck the far post through George Bissett’s glancing header on six minutes.
But as Town took control, eventually they found the opener through midfielder Carson. It came at the end of slick play from the home side as a long ball forward was taken in his stride by Carson, before he laid it off to Jack Foalle. The striker crossed for Sean Taylor to volley against the back post, but the rebound was smashed home by Carson from around the penalty spot.
But their lead would last 10 minutes as Pickering equalised through Earl. The midfielder strode clear of a chasing home defence before slotting smartly past the on-rushing Dan Lowson to level matters.
As both sides looked for a second goal to add to their tally, it would be Morpeth who would threaten to break the deadlock first. Tom Potter slalomed his way in off the right flank before his low show was saved comfortably by the league’s keeper of the season Harrison Foulkes. Seconds later and Ged Dalton had an even better chance, but his shot on the stretch was saved by the legs of Lowson.
If the 54th minute didn’t yield a goal then the 56th did. Morpeth were the ones to score it, Forsrer marauding into the box before unleashing a strike off the underside of the bar and into the back of the net.
With Morpeth taking the lead again and keen to add to it, they then went searching for a third. First Taylor, following a superb first touch, sent a shot over with an open net at his mercy.
But the home side wouldn’t be denied a third goal as a scramble in the opposition penalty box saw the ball drop for Henderson, who duly thundered in a close-range effort to put his side further in front in the 66th minute.
The Highwaymen would extend their advantage and pull clear in the closing stages, Walton slotting home an 82nd minute penalty, after handball in the Pickering box, as the home side confirmed their victory.
Morpeth are next in action when they travel to Cleethorpes Town on Saturday. The bus will be leaving the Sun Inn at 8.45am. Contact David Robertson to book your seat for £10.

MORPETH TOWN: Lowson; Forster, Turner, Hodgson (Sayer 60), J.Henderson, Reid, Taylor (Walton 68), Graydon (capt) (L.Henderson 68), Foalle, Dav. Carson, Potter.
SUBS NOT USED:
GOALS: David Carson (23), Stephen Forster (56), Jeff Henderson (66), Walton (82 PEN)
PICKERING TOWN: Foulkes; Tilsley (capt), Jacob, Mott, Turnbull, Bissett (Knox 73), Earl, Taylor, Blott, Danby, Dalton (Whitfied 70).
SUBS NOT USED: Greening, Brettell, Davison.
GOALS: Danny Earl (33)
MOTM:
ATT: 382