Heaton Stannington 0-0 Morpeth Town (5-4 on penalties)

Written by Matty Hunter

Morpeth Town fell at the final hurdle on penalties as Heaton Stan lifted the Newcastle Flooring Senior Cup for the very first time, writes Matty Hunter.

A back-and-forth penalty shootout was concluded after substitute Dan Groves scored the decisive penalty in front of the Gallowgate end, to the delight of the healthy travelling Stan contingent in the East Stand.

The best chance of the evening to open the scoring for either side came 22 minutes from time following a great break by Stan as Joe Shepherd blazed over the bar from close range.

Heaton lifted the 141-year-old trophy in front of 3,841 spectators to the commiserations of those of a Morpeth persuasion. Nevertheless, take nothing away from the campaign as it has been a fantastic season for the Highwaymen, both on and off the pitch, and the trophy would have been the showpiece and the icing on the cake. Morpeth previously recorded their highest ever league finish of 8th and points tally of 61 points in the NPL Premier Division, but it just was not to be at the home of Newcastle United on the night.

En-route to the final, Morpeth defeated Newcastle Benfield 2-0 at Craik Park in Round One, before overcoming Newcastle University 2-1 at Essity Park in the quarter final, before a 2-2 draw with neighbours Ashington then advancing on penalties in the semi-final.

Meanwhile, Heaton Stan edged past Whitley Bay in the first round at Hillheads Park after drawing 1-1 on the night and winning 5-3 on penalties, before overcoming Blyth Town 3-1 at South Newsham Playing Fields, and then against the odds comfortably defeating Newcastle United U21 3-0 in their only home game of the tournament.

It was Heaton who started the brighter of the two sides as after just three minutes, Leighton Hopper found space inside down the left flank before pulling the ball back to invite captain Richard Slaughter to shoot from distance, who saw his left-footed effort glide just over the crossbar.

The Highwaymen’s first chance of the evening arrived after quarter of an hour as Josh King was found at the back post with a cross by Will Dowling, but saw his effort go over the bar from point blank range.

It was a case of that both sides saw their name in lights with several shots from distance throughout as Lamb had a pop from distance after 20 minutes, but his shot was not enough to trouble the ever-present this season Dan Langley between the Morpeth sticks.

Next, Heaton made an excellent block to deny Dowling, who will feel highly disappointed not to have scored in that situation.

The best chance of the half arose after half an hour as Daniel Stephenson struck the bar from 25-yards. Joe Robson saw his header go just wide from a corner next as the Stan grew more confident.

It was Josh Robson who had an opportunity to score next, as he broke into the box but was unable to keep his shot down and therefore over the bar.

The Stan went close to scoring with a well-worked opportunity with nine minutes of the half to play as Lamb weaved himself into a good position into the box to shoot but sent his shot straight at Langley.

Rhys Evans forced a great save out of goalkeeper Lewis Brass next after a through ball by Luke James down the right, before his low shot was denied at feet by the Heaton custodian.

Morpeth were fortunate to get away with just a yellow card just before the break, as Lamb was fouled on the edge of the area by Robson, but referee Matthew Sowerby only cautioned the full-back.

Alike the first half, it was Heaton who started the period the stronger, as with 50 minutes on the clock, they forced two good saves out of Langley to keep the score level.

After 57 minutes, Morpeth’s first chance of the second period came after Nic Bollado took a pop across goal before being denied by Brass, with the follow-up falling to the feet of Leon Gibson-Booth, but it was bravely cleared from danger by the Stan defence before the young striker had a chance to shoot.

Heaton squandered a huge chance with 22 minutes to play as Shepherd blazed over the woodwork from inside the area, following a clever break by Heaton catching Morpeth off guard.

Both James and Bollado had chances within quick succession in the following stages, but neither came to any avail as the clock ticked down.

Four minutes of added time were indicated by the fourth official Kirk Freeth, but neither side could break the deadlock as the game fell to being decided by a penalty shootout in front of the famous Gallowgate end.

For the Highwaymen – Bollado, Jeff Henderson, Dowling, James all found the net with their attempts from the spot, but Sam Hodgson and Danny Barlow were both denied by Brass. For Heaton Stan – Slaughter, Hopper, Andy Burn, Bailey Adamson, and Groves were on target, but Connor Walker was denied by Langley.

Groves, with nerves of steel, took what proved to be the decisive penalty as he sent his penalty high into the corner before wheeling off in jubilation and joined by his teammates as they triumphed to their first ever Northumberland Senior Cup win, preventing the Highwaymen from winning their fifth.

MORPETH TOWN: Langley, Evans, King (Hodgson), Dowling, Henderson ©, Buddle, Robson, Barlow, James, Bollado, Gibson-Booth

SUBS: Follin, Brown, Chater, Foalle.

HEATON STANNINGTON: Brass, Evans (Turnbull), Stephenson (Adamson), Robson, Shepherd, Capewell, Burn, Slaughter ©, Hopper, Walker, Lamb (Groves).

SUBS: Payne. Turnbull, Adamson, Groves, Marriott.

ATT: 3,841