By Andrew McDonnell (@AndrewSJourno)

Joe Walton scored a hat-trick in 13 second half minutes as Morpeth Town thrashed Billingham Synthonia 4-0 at Craik Park.

After a frustrating hour for the hosts, Walton produced a composed finish to put the Highwaymen ahead.

The winger tapped into an empty net for his second and rifled home from the penalty spot on 78 minutes to complete his hat-trick.

Michael Chilton added a fourth goal in the second minute of additional time to wrap up the result and secure another three points for Morpeth.

Nick Gray and Dave Malone’s side seen of Stockton Town in their first league game on Wednesday night, and certainly picked up where they left off.

They were on the front foot from the start, but the first chance of the game fell on 19 minutes.

Walton’s back heel went into the path of Sean Taylor, who drove inside and tested the Synthonia ‘keeper.

Walton was involved in the next break forward six minutes later, he drove down the flank and pulled the ball back to the edge of the area to Mark Davison, who fired inches over the bar.

Walton’s looping header was off target just before the half-hour mark, while the wide man and Curtis Coppen went close with chances soon after.

John Seaton had Billingham’s first shot of the game five minutes before half time, the ball sailed over the bar.

Luke Carr’s low effort was gathered by Liam Gibbs, but the sides went into half-time goalless.

The hosts came out rejuvenated, and came close to opening their account just three minutes after the restart.

Wayne Phillips’ cross was helped back across the box by Walton, and Davison’s shot from close range was tipped over the bar by Gibbs.

Davison went close two minutes later before an onslaught came from the hosts as Taylor had a couple of chances.

Carr cut inside just before the hour mark, and his shot was seen late by the Synthonia ‘keeper, who sprawled down to his right to push the ball away.

Davison fired over from close range on 65 minutes, but the Highwaymen made up for that by taking the lead moments later.

Stephen Forster played Walton through down the wing, and the wide man cut inside and drove the ball into the net.

Morpeth finally managed to get a deserved lead, and the hosts managed to bag a second goal just three minutes later.

Michael Turner capitalised on a mistake at the back and played the ball across the box for the advancing Walton, who calmly tapped home into an empty net.

Liam Henderson was denied his first goal of the season, with Synthonia’s ‘keeper producing another fine save to deny the striker, before Gibbs also denied Chilton.

Jordan Fry found Taylor on the edge of the area on 76 minutes, and his curling effort rattled off the top of the crossbar – the ‘keeper was rooted to the spot.

However, Morpeth didn’t have long to wait for a third goal, as Chris Salmon brought down Taylor inside the penalty area.

Of course, Walton was handed the chance to complete his hat-trick, and he did just that by firing the ball into the bottom corner – his fifth goal in four games.

David Hiftle come on late in the game to make his first appearance in over a year-and-ahalf, and the hosts weren’t done there. Fry was denied by a brilliant save by Gibbs, but the ‘keeper couldn’t deny Morpeth a fourth in stoppage time.

Taylor’s shot deflected off a Billingham player, and Chilton reacted the quickest to sweep home the ball from close range.

The Highwaymen have won both of their games this season in the league and welcome Whitley Bay to Craik Park on Wednesday evening.

Morpeth Town: Provett, Forster (Hiftle, 84), Carson, Phillips, Coppen, Reid, Taylor, Walton, Davison (Henderson, 66), Carr (Chilton, 66), Fry

Subs Not Used: Pell

Billingham Synthonia: Gibbs, Salmon, Howes (Scaife-Wheatley, 60), Seaton, Rowe, Crust, Priestley, Hillerby, Dalton (Hassan, 52), Garton, Cattermole (Chapman, 71)

Subs Not Used: Aime

Goals: 1-0, 65 min, Walton; 2-0, 68 min, Walton; 3-0, 78 min, Walton (Pen); 4-0, 90+2 min, Chilton

Referee: Alex Clark

Assistants: Paul Ellis and Stephen Beresford

Attendance: 174