SHILDON 2 MORPETH TOWN 0
Morpeth’s Shaun Talor gets away from Shildon’s Sam Hodgson and right, Joe Walton tackles Matty Robson the box. The opening 30 minutes seemed to fly past and as the halfhour passed, the hosts should have doubled their lead.
Louis Dodds sent a cross into the visitors’ area and that found Burnicle in space but the striker could only scuff his shot wide.
That miss meant that the hosts carried their lead into half-time and almost added to it on the hour mark.
Goalscorer Robson almost doubled his tally for the day but his low shot from a narrow angle was cleverly saved by Morpeth keeper Dryden.
Shildon did double their lead twenty minutes into the second half with a freak goal when Dryden’s clearance struck Louis Dodds on the back and rebounded into the net.
Curtis Coppen almost marked his Morpeth debut with a goal shortly after Dodds’ strike but the former North Shields defender could only head a Sayer free-kick over the crossbar.
The Railwaymen could have added a third as substitute Billy GreulichSmith blocked a Coppen clearance and burst in on goal.
However, the winger squandered the chance under pressure.
Shildon striker Burnicle also went close for the hosts as the game went into injury but it meant little as Moore’s side came out on top. BLYTH AFC were boosted by a first half hat-trick from Ryan McGorrigan in their 5-3 win over Thornaby.
Jarrow FC’s first Northern League game ended in defeat as Brad Hird’s late penalty gave Durham City all three points on South Tyneside.
Sam Moore and Rhys Harbottle braces gave Ryton and Crawcrook Albion a fine 5-0 win at Brandon United.
Crook Town were also big winners, as two Daniel Pigg penalties helped them to a 6-2 win at Easington Colliery and a goal in each half from Channon North and Callum Smith gave Hebburn Town a 2-0 home win over Bedlington Terriers.
Esh Winning won 3-2 at home to Darlington RA and Tow Law Town were 2-1 winners at Northallerton Town, with Kai Hewitson’s second-half winner enough to give them all three points.