Youngsters good value for Morpeth win, says Peter

Early goals from Callum Roberts and Tom Heardman put the young Magpies firmly in the ascendancy at Craik Park, only for the Highwaymen’s Matthew Grieve to reduce the arrears on the stroke of half-time.

Forward Mark Davison restored parity early into the second-half, but – with the clash toing and froing – it was United who prevailed, as Dan Ward netted from just inside the penalty area after a fine solo run.

Beardsley admitted his charges made it difficult for themselves against the FA Vase holders, but insisted the eventual outcome was a fair one on the whole.

“We started off well, and looked comfortable at 2-0, so it was disappointing to let them get it back to 2-2,” he told nufc.co.uk. “The goal just before half-time changes the way the game is, and changes the team talk, really.

“When it is 2-0, obviously the next goal is always important. But, to be fair to them, after conceding another one early in the second-half, they got themselves going again, and I think we definitely deserved to win. If you were Morpeth, you might have a different opinion.

“(The players) just have to learn how to see the game out. They were playing against experienced men at that level, who were used to the pitch, while we still like to pass the ball no matter what. It worked out well in the end, though, and once Dan Ward scored, I think we were very comfortable for the last 15 minutes.”

United join Blyth Spartans, Blyth Town and North Shields in the last four of the competition, which will resume in the New Year.

No matter which of the trio they face, it will again be a far cry from the young Magpies’ usual sort of opposition – as Beardsley is the first to admit.

“It’s a different world to them,” he said. “They want to win, obviously, but physically, I don’t think they are used to it. (The coaching staff) think that it’s good, but if you’re a player in amongst it you maybe don’t, because sometimes you don’t know where the next tackle is coming from.

“Some of the tackles (last night) were borderline, if you like, so because of that, it’s a very physical game. Stuart Findlay is the man who is most used to that, because – with all due respect – he has played a lot of games in Scotland on loan. But for most of the others – even though they know what’s coming – until it actually comes it’s not the same.”