Match report proudly sponsored by Northumbria Print
Morpeth Town secured a spot in the semi-finals of the Techflow Marine Senior Cup after a hard fought 1-0 win at Newcastle Benfield.
In a close encounter on a difficult surface, the Highwaymen started the brighter of the two sides and showed their clinical streak with the only goal of the game five minutes in.
Andrew Johnson was the man to deliver it, scoring his second goal in two appearances after the hosts failed to clear a Jack Foalle free-kick into the box.
The ball pin-balled around the edge of the area before Jeff Henderson nodded it on to Johnson, who strode clear and slotted into the bottom corner to put his side in front.
Benfield, though, looked a threat on the counter and could have restored parity on 15 minutes when Connor Walker went round keeper Dan Lowson but saw his goalbound effort cleared by Ben Ramsey. Seconds later and the Morpeth stopper would excel with a wonderful one-handed save to push a Layton Watts free-kick past the post.
Ben Dibb-Fuller then had a clear sight of goal seven minutes later but his low driven effort was saved by the feet of Lowson as he preserved the visitors’ advantage.
Connor Thomson lashed over and Johnson sent a free-kick wide of the target as a low-key first ended with Morpeth in front.
The second half was possibly more dis-jointed as Morpeth managed the game to a successful conclusion.
Dale Pearson shot straight at keeper Alfie Gordon on 50 minutes and substitute Sam Fishburn blazed over with 10 minutes to go as Town threatened a decisive second.
But with Benfield creating very few clear chances, the away side should have wrapped it up with five minutes to go only for Pearson to see his effort from eight yards, when in plenty of space in the box, blocked by the defender.
But it wouldn’t matter as Town progressed to a semi-final clash with Whitley Bay at Craik Park (date TBC).
The Highwaymen are next in action when they welcome Radcliffe to Northumberland on Saturday. Tickets are available on the gate (cash only).
NEWCASTLE BENFIELD: Gordon, Errington, Green, Robson, McNamara, Varga, Watts, Healey, Dibb-Fuller, Walker, Brayson (replaced just before kick-off).
SUBS: Gascoigne, Leech, Read, Leonard.
MORPETH TOWN: Lowson, Robson, Ramsey, Donaldson, Henderson, Turner, Foalle, King (Fishburn 79’), Pearson, Thomson, Johnson.
SUBS: Millington, Morris.
