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Morpeth Town welcome Warrington Town to Craik Park for an Emirates FA Cup First Qualifying Round clash on Saturday (3pm).

Both sides already know plenty about each other having played it each other on opening day, as well as three times last season.

LAST TIME OUT

At the end of a Bank Holiday double header, Morpeth ended on the wrong end of a 1-0 defeat at South Shields. Full-time Shields struggled to break down a resolute Highwaymen side but found a way through in the latter stages through Robert Briggs.

Warrington Town needed a late Isaac Buckley-Ricketts goal to ensure a 2-1 home win over Nantwich Town, after Dan Cockerline’s goal just before half-time had cancelled out Buckley-Ricketts’ opener on the half-hour mark.

THE GAFFER

Morpeth Town manager Craig Lynch is eager to make a bit of FA Cup history for the Highwaymen, who came so very close to achieving it the run to last season’s fourth qualifying round.

“The games between us are always tightly contested matches, with two honest teams going for it. We’re quite similar in terms of our approach but we’re in great form overall and hoping to continue our good start to the season.

“I’d love to be part of the club getting a league team to Craik Park for a first round proper game, it would be a fantastic, history making occasion. It’s the least the chairman would deserve.

“It’s a massive plus having a home tie in the competition but playing Warrington is never easy, is always a challenge and we expect nothing less this afternoon.”

Warrington manager Mark Beesley has been discussing the fitness of Jordan Buckley, their leading scorer from last season who has missed a big chunk of football through injury.

“When he’s on the pitch, he’s a threat and nicks goals even when he’s not at his best. He’s clearly not at his best – he’s only put two or three training sessions together since April,” he said.

“He was out for a long time, played in the play-offs and hasn’t really had a pre-season. It’s a good six months without much football, so we’ve got to be careful with him as the last thing we want is for him to pick up more injuries.

“We’ll ease him into fitness.”

TICKET INFORMATION

Tickets are available online – click here to purchase – and also on the gate on the day (cash only):

Adults – £12

Concessions – £8

Kids – £4

Under-5s – Free