By Andrew McDonnell (@AndrewSJourno)

Joe Walton and Ben Sayer scored to ease Morpeth Town past North Shields to win the JR Cleator Cup for the first time in their history.

Walton tapped home from close range midway through the first-half before the winger’s cross was turned into his own net by Jordan Summerly five minutes after half-time.

Ben Sayer converted a penalty just after the hour mark to make it 3-0, and the hosts cruised to victory thereafter.

The Highwaymen celebrated their first piece of silverware since the FA Vase in front of the main stand at Craik Park, with captain Keith Graydon lifting the trophy.

Nick Gray and Dave Malone’s side started the better and had the first opening of the game on 14 minutes.

The ball was worked to Danny Carson on the edge of the area, and his shot was tipped over the bar by Shields ‘keeper Kyle Hayes.

Sayer had two free-kicks cleared by the Robins’ back line, but the hosts managed to make a breakthrough on 26 minutes as Mark Davison’s clever flick-on sent Wayne Phillips through.

The midfielder’s low cross was pushed up by Hayes, and Walton was first to react, as head headed into the net from a few yards out.

Morpeth could have doubled their advantage just three minutes later, but Hayes was there once more to deny the Highwaymen – saving Sean Taylor’s shot with his legs.

Shields had their first chance of the game on 33 minutes, as Craig McFarlane drilled a free-kick goalwards, and Chris Reid headed away to safety.

Davison flicked the ball into the path of the advancing Taylor five minutes before half-time, and the wide man drew another excellent save from Hayes.

Taylor had one more brilliant chance just before half-time, but he fired wide and the hosts were up by one after a comfortable first 45 minutes.

Despite the Robins coming out of the blocks quickly in the second-half, it was Morpeth that went and found a crucial second goal five minutes after the restart.

Walton raced through down the flank and played the ball across the six-yard area, Taylor was waiting for a tap-in at the back post, but Shields defender Summerly turned into his own net.

The Highwaymen came within inches of increasing their advantage on 54 minutes, when Taylor volleyed across goal and the ball cannoned off the post before Hayes pounced on the ball.

Morpeth were certainly enjoying themselves, and just after the hour mark, Sayer was brought down just inside the penalty area.

The midfielder stepped up, without hesitation, and slotted the spot kick into the bottom corner.

Shields had the next opening on 73 minutes, with Ryan Carr heading Lee Mason’s cross onto the roof of the net.

Dan Wilson had the ball in the net 13 minutes from time, but it was ruled out due to a foul in the build up.

The hosts were content on keeping the ball and dictating play to see out the remaining minutes. Gray and Malone’s side produced a fantastic display to earn their first ever Cleator Cup.

Morpeth Town: Dryden, Forster, Turner, Sayer (Graydon, 65), Coppen, Reid, Taylor, Carson, Davison (Chilton, 67), Walton (Fry, 57), Phillips

Subs Not Used: Pell, Hiftle

North Shields: Hayes, Donnison (Luccock, 73), Henderson (Forster, 59), Parker, Dodds, McFarlane, Carr, Bainbridge (Wilson, 59), Mason, Holmes

Subs Not Used: Robson, Robinson

Goals: 1-0, 26 min, Walton; 2-0, 50 min, Summerly (O/G); 3-0, 64 min, Sayer (Pen)

Referee: Jonathan Urwin

Assistants: Kirk Freeth and Matthew Cain

Fourth Official: Michael Burrows