EBAC Northern League Division One
Marske United 0-2 Morpeth Town
Sean Taylor 34, Michael Chilton 54
By Stuart Dick at GER Stadium
Morpeth Town made it five wins on the bounce as strike duo Sean Taylor and Michael Chilton both netted against League Champions Marske United at GER Stadium.
Taylor opened the scoring in the first half finishing off an excellent counter-attack, before Chilton powered home a Keith Graydon free-kick in the second period to take home all three points, although the winning margin could, and possibly should, have been larger.
Morpeth made one change from the side that defeated Dunston UTS in mid-week, Steven Anderson replacing Lee McAndrew who was absent, as Town looked to make it 11 wins in 12 games.
The opening to the game was very cagey on the tight GER Stadium pitch, both sides struggling to play free-flowing football. Graydon had the first shot on goal, a speculative 35 yard effort that was easily handled by Robert Dean.
Despite a lot of possession, Morpeth were unable to produce any goal scoring opportunities, a James Novak cross fumbled by Dean, but gathered at the second attempt as Chilton was ready to pounce, the closest Town got to scoring in the opening 20 minutes.
The hosts didn’t fare much better, their best chance coming from a long throw by Liam O’Sullivan which was flicked on by Danny Brunskill and diverted wide by the covering Michael Hall.
The visitors had the ball in the net in the 24th minute, Taylor the provider, whipping in a left wing cross, Chilton finishing low into the corner only to see the flag go up for offside.
Mid-way through the first half Morpeth began to create better chances. Luke Carr went close after cutting onto his unfavoured right at the edge of the area, his shot headed behind by a defender.
At the other end Adam Wheatley headed a Craig Ruddy corner just over Karl Dryden’s crossbar with a looping effort.
A lightning quick counter-attack gave Morpeth the lead on 34 minutes. Steven Anderson latching on to a Hall clearance, his excellent first touch set up a diagonal ball to Taylor, who relayed the ball to Chilton down the left. He found Carr at the byline, who cut the ball back into the six yard box where Taylor slid home for his tenth of the season.
Marske were denied an instant reply when another O’Sullivan long throw was bundled into the net, the referee blowing the whistle for a foul on Dryden.
The Highwaymen almost doubled their lead before the half, Chilton finding space on the edge of the penalty area, but the striker leaned back too much and curled his effort over the bar.
Just before the half, Jordan Nellis replaced the injured Anderson, and four minutes into the second period he almost scored a wonderful solo effort. Picking the ball up on the right wing, Nellis beat four men with some nifty footwork before playing a one-two with Carr. The striker found himself one-on-one in front of goal, but was unable to finish as the ball rolled wide.
Nellis was in thick of the action again five minutes later, Graydon’s 25 yard shot saved well by Dean, Nellis converting the rebound, again the referee’s assistant flagging for offside, despite Nellis’ complaints.
The home side did muster the odd chance in the second half, a long range free-kick from Craig Gott was well held by Dryden.
As the clock ticked towards the hour mark, Morpeth doubled their lead. Graydon’s right wing free-kick was beautifully placed onto the head of Chilton who headed over the ‘keeper and into the roof of the net.
From that point on it was one way traffic as the visitors looked to put the game beyond doubt. A long ball from David Hiftle was headed by Chilton into the path of Taylor eight yards out, the forward’s effort sailing over.
The golden opportunities kept falling to Taylor, Nellis breaking away down the right wing, crossing into the six yard box, Taylor sliding in but missing the target.
The onslaught continued, Taylor turning provider after latching on to a Stephen Forster ball down the right, finding Chilton at the back post, his effort saved on the goal line by the chest of Dean, Taylor unable to convert the rebound.
Chilton and Taylor were working well in partnership, another Hiftle long ball chested down by Chilton, Taylor hitting a fizzing half volley just over the bar.
A comfortable win for the Highwaymen, and one that should have been more emphatic. Morpeth remain two points behind league leaders Shildon, and still have two games in hand. The gap to third place is now nine points.
