15 mins Roberts shot 1-0

45+1 mins Henderson shot 1-1

Half time: Newcastle 1 Morpeth Town 1

62 mins Roberts shot 2-1

90+3 mins Barlaser free-kick 3-1

Full time: Newcastle 3 Morpeth Town 1

Those spectators lured away by TV coverage of the Roma versus Liverpool tie on Wednesday night missed a decent game at SJP, as United regained possession of the Northumberland Senior Cup after a four year break.

The final score was slightly harsh on Northern League Morpeth, who went in level at the break and trailed by just a single goal until second half injury time.

Newcastle opened brightly and midfielder Dan Barlaser shot against the post at the Leazes End from 12 yards with just six minutes played. 

The opener came on 15 minutes when Callum Roberts evaded a defender and netted from a central position inside the box - Town a man down at that point, with Jordan Fry limping off and a substitute yet to arrive.

Cheered on by a healthy contingent of travelling fans though, the Highwaymen were undaunted and kept pressing - getting their reward in the first minute of added time when a cross from the left by Sean Taylor was poked in by Liam Henderson from close range.

An even start to the second period then saw United goalkeeper Nathan Harker forced into a fingertip save to keep out a header from Joe Walton before Roberts hit the Town crossbar, but really should have done better.

He made amends in the 62nd minute when Adam Wilson pushed down the left and delivered a tempting cross into the box that Roberts steered home from close in.

No Magpie has registered a hat-trick in a Senior Cup Final since the club re-entered the competition in the 1980s and Callum proved unable to find his third - blasting narrowly wide of the target in the 83rd minute after a solo run took him through the visiting defence.

He looked to have one final chance for a treble in the third minute of injury time as he stood over a free kick 25 yards from goal, but it was Barlaser who then stepped up to seal the victory with a flawless conversion. 

Beaten but certainly not disgraced, the Town players took their leave as Newcastle's Owen Bailey collected the cup, only to discover that Markse United had won in the league to take over in top spot on goal difference.

Town have just one game left while Markse still must play another four times - although with promotion now confirmed for both teams this has been a successful season for Morpeth despite a lack of silverware.

As for the black and whites, there isn't a great deal here to get excited about - birthday boy Victor Fernandez having a quiet night and England youth international Adam Wilson claiming one good assist on his debut in the competition.  

And while any silverware is welcome at this club, it has to be taken in the context of beating a non-league side including a 35 year-old - and also that this win rounds off a season when we've routinely been outplayed by the second strings of Championship outfits.

Formal confirmation of those players to be released is awaited but tonight certainly marked the farewell performance of defender Curtis Good, after six thoroughly indifferent years on Tyneside.

The situation regarding U23 coach Peter Beardsley - officially on leave since January 2018 following allegations of racism and bullying against him - also remains unresolved almost four months on.

Biffa