Match Report brought to you by Northumbria Print.
Morpeth Town made it through to the last 16 of the FA Trophy as they extended their fantastic run in the FA Trophy at Craik Park on Saturday writes Sam Donovan.
A brace from Jack Foalle as well as a stunning strike from Liam Henderson and a Liam Noble penalty helped the Highwaymen progress despite strikes from Jake Wright Jnr, Scott Duxbury and Danny Elliott had given the Pilgrims hope.
Morpeth started brightly and had the first chance of the game on 4 minutes. Jack Foalle was sent flying by Scott Duxbury with Liam Noble swinging in the free kick. It was half cleared by Boston to Andrew Johnson who bent an effort narrowly wide of the far post.
Play switched to the other end of the pitch when Jake Wright Jnr volleyed an effort into the deck and it bounced past the far post when he should have scored.
He had the next opportunity which again he should have scored from after being let in on goal but he took too long and Michael Turner pressured him into shooting straight at Dan Lowson.
The visitors took the lead on 9 minutes when Wright Jnr tapped home from inside the six yard box. A defensive slip allowed Danny Elliott the chance to play the ball across the area and Wright Jnr tucked it home.
Morpeth responded to the setback as Liam Henderson saw his near post shot blocked by Marcus Dewhurst on 15 minutes. Once again, play switched to the other end of the field with Elliott being denied by Lowson.
On 20 minutes, Johnson again went close, flicking a header just wide of the far post after Noble had delivered another dangerous set piece.
The equaliser duly arrived on 26 minutes. Joe Walton did well down the right flank and he played the ball back to Jack Foalle who took a touch and whipped an effort across Dewhurst and into the top corner.
Morpeth went ahead on 30 minutes as a clearance from Boston only reached Liam Henderson who had the presence of mind to take a touch before firing in a spectacular low finish from 30 yards that nestled in the bottom corner.
Town had a great chance for a third on 34 minutes but Henderson was denied on the line. Johnson did well down the left and he found Henderson saw the effort blocked by Shiels.
The visitors drew level in stoppage time at the end of the half, a corner was played into the near post and Duxbury hooked an effort in after two minutes of added time.
Just when Morpeth thought they were going in level at the interval, it got worse. A slip from Turner allowed Elliott to get in on goal and he rounded Lowson to put the away side back in front.
The Highwaymen took the initiative at the start of the second half and Liam Henderson was unlucky to see his strike deflect over the bar. From the resultant corner, Johnson leapt highest bup glanced it wide of the post.
The game turned on 51 minutes as the referee pointed to the spot as Liam Henderson was pulled back in the area and the official had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Liam Noble stepped up and despite Dewhurst guessing the right way and getting a strong hand to it.
The visitors had a good chance on 65 minutes with a dangerous free kick just outside the area, Lowson did well to stop the initial freekick before pushing away the loose ball.
Morpeth went ahead on 70 minutes even if it came with a slight bit of good fortune. Henderson twisted in the area before seeing an effort loop across goal and Foalle was there to send a diving header back across goal and into the bottom corner.
The confidence was flowing through Morpeth and Dewhurst was once again called into action making a fine save to push away a shot from Foalle who was searching for his hat trick.
The visitors were certain they had levelled on 79 minutes but a header was blocked on the line by Noble. In the same phase of play, the ball couldnt be forced home by Fraser Preston.
Jack Foalle had the chance to wrap things up with 10 minutes to go when Henderson released him through on goal. Unfortunately, Foalle lifted the ball over the ‘keeper and over the bar.
Johnson was denied on 82 minutes with a fantastic save from Dewhurst who tipped a low curling effort around the post.
Into added time, Elliott should have forced a penalty shootout but he had the ball taken off him by a sliding Jeff Henderson.
Morpeth managed to see out 6 minutes of added time to secure a place in the last 16 for the first time in their history.
Morpeth Town: Lowson, Walton, Phillips, Noble, J. Henderson , Turner, Foalle, Hodgson, L. Henderson, Donaldson, Johnson (Sayer, 90’).
Subs not Used: Forster, Morris, Oliver, Ramsey, Finnigan.
Goals: Foalle 26’, 70’, L. Henderson 30’, Noble 52’.
Boston United: Dewhurst, Tootle, Duxbury, Platt, Shiels, Wright Jnr (Hanson 32’), Ferguson (Lalkovic, 87’, Elliott, Dimaio (Preston, 75’), Leesley, Byrne.
Subs not Used: Crook, Green, Armond, Leake.
Goals: Wright Jnr 9’, Duxbury 45+2’, Elliott 45+4’.
