Match Report sponsored by Northumbria Print

Morpeth cruised to a comfortable 2-0 win over Ashton United on a glorious day at Craik Park on Saturday afternoon writes Sam Donovan.

Andrew Johnson and Liam Henderson notched their 21st and 13th goals of the season respectively to put the game to bed in the first half. Greg Hartley was in fine form in the Ashton goal to keep the scoreline respectable. 

An even start to the game saw the visitors look to take the lead as Nathan Ntalu shot straight at Dan Lowson on 2 minutes. 

On 13 minutes, Ryan Donaldson was denied by Hartley after the midfielder hit a swerving effort that was dipped over the bar. 

The opening goal came on 31 minutes and it was Johnson who scored it. Receiving the ball close to the byline, he cut back infield before whipping the ball across the face of goal and into the back of the net. 

Ashton had a great opportunity to level things up on 33 minutes but Ntalu shot tamely at Lowson. 

Morpeth should have made it  2-0 on 34 minutes. Liam Noble whipped in a dangerous free kick that was on to the head of Henderson who was unmarked but his head was clawed away by Hartley. 

Johnson had another opportunity to extend the lead on 39 minutes as a long ball forward was left by the Ashton defence and Johsnon got through but Hartley made a good save. 

Liam Henderson doubled the lead on 40 minutes as Jack Foalle crossed to the far post and Henderson threw himself at the ball to connect with a diving header. 

Morpeth took control of the game as Ashton looked dejected and there was further chances before the interval with Foalle seeing an effort tipped over the bar and Henderson fizzing an effort narrowly wide. 

Jeff Henderson was denied 30 seconds into the second half as Hartley clawed away a deft flick at the near post following a corner. 

Johnson had another opportunity on 51 minutes as he got through on a one v one with Hartley but the ‘keeper did well to stand up and make the block as Johnson tried to round him. 

Liam Henderson went close again on 71 minutes as he created space for himself before shooting from a tight angle that Hartley did well to turn behind at the near post. 

The closest that Ashton came to scoring was in the 87th minute as Tom Bentham hit a swerving volley that Dan Lowson pushed away. 

Micky Turner returned from his suspension and almost made an immediate impact as he headed a free kick wide on 88 minutes as Morpeth cruised to victory. 

The Highwaymen are next in action on Saturday when they make the long trip to Derbyshire to face promotion chasing Matlock Town. 

Morpeth Town: Lowson, Walton, Forster, Sayer (Turner, 88’), J. Henderson (c), Wombwell, Foalle, Noble, L. Henderson, Donaldson, Johnson.

Subs not Used: Phillips, Oliver, Wales.

Goals: Johnson 31’, L. Henderson 40’.

Ashton United: Hartley, Lonsdale, Spratt, Sheridan, Coates (Raynes, 46’), Coker, Tomsett, Brewster (c) (Simpson, 66’), Yonsian, Redshaw, Ntalu (Bentham, 66’).

Subs not Used: Simpson.

Goals: