Defeat for Morpeth Town in the FA Trophy but a big win for Morpeth Town Women

The game was settled by an own goal just before half time.

Speaking after the game, Morpeth Town boss Craig Lynch praised the efforts of the Highwaymen players.

He said: “Decision making I think has let us down today – but when you’ve seven missing, two lads who are trying to give everything to be fit to play and then you’ve got teenagers that are playing, how can I really be disappointed with them when you look at the bigger picture.

“And we were up against a team that are a well-oiled machine that have reached two play-off finals and a semi-final in the same league we are in.

“That was pretty much their full squad really. Look, they might beat us with our full squad but the lads who played today gave everything like they’ve done in previous games.

“Results don’t look great and I understand that. People think we should be doing better and I’m one of the ones who do think that.

“But you’ve got to work with what we’ve got and we’re using every single thing out of this squad and I cannot speak enough of the lads in there.”

“Hopefully we’ll have a few more players back soon.”

Morpeth Town Women continued their excellent start to the season with a 8-0 win against Gateshead Rutherford Ladies Reserves on Sunday afternoon at Craik Park.

Tamara Bowen got a hat-trick, Chloe Wilson and Hannah Carruthers-Dunn scored twice and Amy Feetham also got a goal.

After knocking Redcar Town Ladies out of the FA Cup on penalties the previous weekend, Morpeth Women kicked on again with an assured second-half display at Craik Park last midweek to open their new league season with a valuable three points against Alnwick Town Ladies Reserves.

Heading into half-time, both sides were locked in a stalemate, but strikes from Kiera Davidson and Emily Jackson-Pigg ultimately secured a 2-1 win for Morpeth.

For more information about the team and their upcoming games, go to the Morpeth Town Women AFC Facebook page.