BetVictor Premier Division: Morpeth Town 1-4 Ashton United
An impressive display saw the visitors end Morpeth’s unbeaten home record on their first visit to the host’s Craik Park ground. The action started on a heavy pitch and the Robins made the worse possible start as just four minutes in Josh Wilson conceded a free kick for handball just outside the area and when Liam Noble eventually delivered it the ball was headed home unchallenged by captain Henderson.
John Pritchard’s poor pass then gave Jack Foalle a clear run on goal which was blocked well by Hartley with Hunt clearing Walton’s shot off the line. Sam Sheridan then picked out Pritchard’s run with the full back firing over and Louis Almond robbed Morpeth’s right back and fired past the near post from the edge of the area. With the Robins well in an open match it was no surprise when they levelled matters 9 minutes before the interval as Lufudu’s cross was laid back by Pritchard for Sheridan to fire home a screamer from 25 yards. The good work was almost undone immediately as Michael Brewster knocked over Foalle in the area but Walton’s poor attempt saw Hartley able to save.
Immediately after the restart Brewster fired straight at Lowson from Chris Rowney’s lay off and Chris Reid then took Almond down by the corner flag with the free kick eventually falling to Josh Wilson who hammered an effort goal wards bringing a fine save out of Lowson. Just past the hour Ben Hardcastle headed Ashton into the lead knocking home Rowney’s neat chip and after Almond had been denied close in Brewster’s set up saw Liam Tomsett bundled over by Noble inside the area with Josh Wilson doing the honours from the spot.
Nialle Rodney just failed to capitalise on Sam Sheridan’s effort and after great work by Pritchard, Almond’s deflected effort lobbed into the far side of the goal to make the score line even more emphatic.
Team: Hartley, Lufudu, Pritchard (Rigby 86), Wilson, Hunt, Rowney, Brewster, Sheridan, Almond, Hardcastle (Tames 79), Tomsett (Rodney 71). SNU: Hughes, Havern.
By David Robinson