Match report proudly sponsored by Northumbria Print
Morpeth Town exited the FA Trophy at the first hurdle after they were beaten 3-2 by Lancaster City at Craik Park.
Nico Evangelinos was the man of the hour, scoring a hat-trick for the visitors, with Dale Pearson’s brace not enough to restore parity for the home side.
The Highwaymen made a couple of changes from the 1-1 draw in midweek with Bamber Bridge, bringing in Pearson, Ben Ramsey, and Ben Sayer to the starting line-up, at the expense of Sam Fishburn, the injured Connor Thomson and Josh King.
Town started the game strongly, having a strong penalty appeal turned down in the opening minutes as Jack Foalle was inexplicably pushed over by debutant goalkeeper Sam Waller while chasing a ball down the right side of the area.
Whereas referee Givi Todua turned those appeals away, he wouldn’t deny Morpeth a fourth minute spot-kick after Foalle was felled by Jamie Mellen in the box.
Pearson strode up to the ball to slot home left footed and give his side a deserved advantage. After that, Lancaster stepped up a gear and threatened on numerous occasions.
Ben Ramsey got a thigh on a goalbound effort to clear off the line at the back post before Dom Lawson glanced an effort past the far post after Sam Bailey’s driven cross on 23 minutes.
Bailey himself had a shot saved by Morpeth stopper Dan Lowson. But Lancaster would have their equaliser one minute before the interval.
Evangelinos netted from 12 yards after a foul in the area, more clumsy than deliberate, as both sides went in level at the break.
But the away side would come out much the stronger in the second period and got their rewards, despite Lowson saving superbly from Evangelinos in the 51st minute. Just seconds later, the winger would have his second, reacting quickest to a header that hit the bar to nod in from close range.
Lancaster, again, hit the bar with a header four minutes later before pulling two goals clear on 64 minutes as Evangelinos scored his third goal of the day.
Liam Noble returned from injury, off the bench, with Fishburn brought on too to provide fresh impetus for the Highwaymen.
They reduced the deficit on 69 minutes through Pearson. The striker deflected a fizzing low ball into the roof of the net to bring Morpeth back within one.
With FA Trophy games going straight to penalties in the result of a draw at full-time, Town were desperately seeking a leveller in the closing stages.
It wouldn’t come, despite Ryan Wombwell’s best efforts. He had two shots at goal deflected narrowly wide as Morpeth crashed out of the FA Trophy at the Third Qualifying Round stage.
Town are next in action on Tuesday night when travelling to FC United – click here to listen to live match commentary on Highwaymen Radio from 7.40pm – with our next home game the following Saturday when we welcome Stafford Rangers to Craik Park. Tickets are available online by clicking here.
MORPETH TOWN: Lowson, Robson, Wombwell, Donaldson, Henderson, Turner, Foalle, Sayer (King 90’), Pearson (Fishburn 67’), Pani (Noble 63’), Ramsey.
SUBS: Harvey, Lee, Little, Millington
LANCASTER CITY: Waller, Bailey, Brownhill, Gallagher-Allinson, Allington, Mellen, Hubbold, Carroll, Lawson, Whitham, Evangelinos.
SUBS: Ogunby, Likoy, Sloan, Davidson, Ikpakwu
ATT: 237
