Sean Taylor’s hat-trick, and an imperious display from Liam Henderson, ensured a convincing victory at in-form Ryhope CW.

A scintillating three minutes of football saw Town tear into their hosts, scoring three times just after the 20-minute mark, through Henderson and a Taylor brace, to wipe out Josh Home-Jackson’s 17th minute opener. Taylor then completed his trio of goals in the 55th minute, with Mark Davison adding an 80th minute fifth goal, as Town cantered to victory at a side who had previously won five of their last six in Division One, including a 6-1 thumping of Consett.

Morpeth started brightly enough, looking to use the pace of Joe Walton and Taylor on the flanks, but they would concede first on 17 minutes. Home-Jackson was the man to slot home from six yards, after finding too much space in the area in a central position.

That stung Town into action and they raced through the gears to go clear courtesy of a goal-laden three-minute spell. The first of those goals came from good old-fashioned 20th minute centre forward play from Henderson. The imposing striker held off his marker, rolled away from the challenge and slotted home on the turn to bring his side level.

Seconds later and Morpeth were in front. Henderson was instrumental once again, sliding a perfectly weighted through ball for Taylor to latch on to. The winger showed class and composure to round the keeper and score from close range.

Two minutes after that and The Highwaymen had a two-goal cushion as Taylor popped up in the right place at the right time to side-foot Ben Sayer’s loss cross from the right into the back of the net. It was a fantastic three minutes of attacking football from the visitors as they tore into Ryhope, leaving the hosts chasing shadows.

Town looked in control of things and could have added a fourth in the 34th minute but Henderson blazed well over the top after being teed up by Taylor on the edge of the 18-yard box.

The forward was on the end of more brilliant attacking build-up play eight minutes later, as Danny Carson lifted a ball into Walton. The winger chested the ball into Henderson’s path but the latter skied his shot.

With a convincing lead at the interval, Morpeth were looking imperious. Far from settling for the score-line, Town went in search of another and duly got it through Taylor. In truth, Henderson made the 55th minute goal as he created a yard of space for himself in the box before sending a low strike across goal. Well saved by Jonathan Ball, the rebound fell for Taylor who had the simple task of slotting into an empty net.

There was only going to be one winner by this stage and Morpeth set about boosting their goal difference with regular forays forward. One of those resulted in a fifth for the visitors on 80 minutes.

A raking cross-field ball was collected by Danny Carson. The latter fizzed a cross into the area for substitute Davison to nod home from close range as The Highwaymen completed the rout.

Morpeth are next in action on Monday when they welcome Guisborough Town to Craik Park (7.45pm).

 This report is proudly sponsored by Jimmy Anderson, on behalf of Aggregate Industries, a part of LafargeHolcim.

RYHOPE CW: Ball; Nicholson, Cocks, Bott, Riding, Trewick (capt) (Melvin 71), Home-Jackson, Skidmore, Rae (Davis 71), Weirs (Paxton 57), Ellis.

SUBS NOT USED: Lowerson, Gordon.

GOALS: Josh Home-Jackson (17)

MORPETH TOWN: Dryden; Danny Carson, Coppen, Reid, Turner; Sayer (capt), Fry, Phillips; Taylor (Elliott 57), Henderson (Davison 76), Walton (David Carson 81).

SUBS NOT USED: Graydon, Forster.

GOALS: Henderson (20), Taylor (21, 23, 55), Davison (80)

ATT: 128