Match Report brought to you by Northumbria Print

Morpeth exited the FA Cup but not after a brave performance over National League North side York City at Craik Park on Tuesday evening writes Sam Donovan.

A hat trick from Kurt Willoughby for the Minstermen was enough for City to progress with Ryan Donaldson netting a consolation for the Highwaymen. Over the course of 180 minutes, Morpeth have struck the woodwork and were unlucky to see the ball go to safety on all of these occasions and it was these fine margins that helped York into the 1st Round of the FA Cup.

Town began the game well and hit the post early on. An away swinging corner from Liam Noble was missed by Peter Jameson and he was relieved to see the ball strike a defender and cannon off the outside of the post and go behind. 

On 18 minutes, York took the lead through Kurt Willoughby. Sam Fielding slotted a through ball for Willoughby and he clipped an effort over the advancing Dan Lowson and saw the ball hit the far post and go on. 

That goal, gave the visitors the momentum in the game and they went close again 5 minutes later but Joe Walton was on hand to clear the danger with a terrific sliding challenge.

The lead was doubled on 31 minutes and it was Willoughby again who found the target. Ollie Dyson slipped the ball through the middle and Willoughby sprung the offside trap to get in on goal. He kept his composure to beat Lowson and find the bottom corner. 

York had their tails up and Dyson was thwarted by Lowson after the visitors had countered at pace. 

With 5 minutes of the half remaining, Morpeth were to hit the post for the second time in the game, this time through Andrew Johnson. Another Noble corner caused chaos in the York box and the ball fell for Johnson who hit a sweetly struck volley from 6yds but it hit the outside of the box and flew out for a goal kick. 

There was still time before the interval for Ben Sayer to curl over an effort from the edge of the area as Morpeth looking to get themselves back into the game. 

On 53 minutes, York went further ahead and it was Willoughby who completed his hat trick and he saved the best for last. He was able to cut inside from the left and he bent a superb right footed effort into the top corner giving Lowson no chance. 

Morpeth hit back immediately and it was former Hartlepool man, Ryan Donaldson at the back post to finish from a cross by Jack Foalle. 

York were lucky to keep eleven men on the pitch when Akil Wright bundled into Liam Henderson 25yds out from goal as the last defender but the referee opted for a yellow card. From the free kick, Donaldson volleyed wide at the back post. 

With a quarter of an hour remaining, Henderson drilled a low volley narrowly wide as Morpeth pressed for a second goal.

On 82 minutes, Mackenzie Heaney dragged an effort wide of the far post as City looked to put the result beyond doubt. 

Morpeth continued to press forward in search of a second goal to make it a nervous finale but unable to fashion any opportunities and York were able to see the game out. 

Morpeth are next in action on Saturday afternoon when they travel to Cheshire to face Nantwich Town. Kick off is at 3pm. 

Morpeth Town: Lowson, Walton (Reid, 75’), Turner, Sayer (L. Henderson, 59’), J. Henderson (c), Morris, Foalle, Noble, Johnson (Ramsey, 82’), Donaldson, Taylor.

Subs not Used: Hodgson, Anderson, Phillips, Oliver.

Goals: Donaldson 57’

York City: Jameson, Duckworth, McLaughlin (c), Dyson, Woods, Willoughby, Donaldson (Heaney, 62’), Hopper, Beck, Fielding, Wright.

Subs not Used: Degruchy, Hasse, Campbell, Cunningham, Knowles, Lancaster

Goals: Willoughby 17’, 30’, 55’