MORPETH TOWN 1, ASHTON UNITED 1
A largely uninspiring encounter between Ashton United and Morpeth Town ended with honours even in the North East which was a pretty accurate reflection of the entertainment on offer in this Pitching In Northern Premier League, Premier clash.
Ashton were without midfielder James Hardy and injury victim Luke Burke leaving Sean Newton to take over as captain and it was he who was central in both goals converting a penalty just after the half hour after Jason Gilchrist had been felled by Dan Langley but then mis-controlling a long ball from the back three minutes later allowing JJ Hooper to slide home the equaliser under Jordan Eastham.
Langley had already made contact with the head of Gilchrist after just six minutes, this time as he came to clear outside his area and a minute later Louis White had to be alert to clear Nic Bollado’s pull back from near the penalty spot.
Newton was then in the action with his header followed by a left foot attempt dragged wide and after the Robins had moved ahead an inside pass from Callum Bone found former Blyth Spartans striker Hooper forcing a low save.
In added time, keeper Jordan Eastham could have been punished for dropping a long free kick but Hooper could only help the ball wid.
After heavy rain had slicked up the pitch at half time, Gilchrist saw his shot blocked at the far post after Darius Osei had headed a long cross back to him.
Just before the hour, Josh Robson’s cross found Hooper firing straight at Eastham and White’s left-wing delivery saw Osei steer his header wide 12 yards out.
Ryan Chater then robbed Callum Rowe before just over hitting his pass intended for Hooper and Enock Lusiama’s cross just evaded Gilchrist after Alex Byrne had flicked on a corner clearance.
A misplaced header from Rowe then saw Eastham drop on Bone’s curling effort and Bollado’s shot was blocked by Dylan Cogill as he turned on to a throw in as both teams had to settle for a point.
Ashton United: Eastham, Spooner, White, Newton, Tomlinson, Cogill, Byrne, Rowe, Gilchrist, Lusiama, Osei (O’Neill 73). Subs (unused): Denton, Doherty, Chmiel, Smith.
Report: David Robinson