Morpeth Town dedicate FA Trophy win to memory of Keith Soulsby

Morpeth Town booked their place in the next round of the FA Trophy on Saturday afternoon with a 2-0 win over Witton Albion.

Goals from Mitch Hancox and Will Dowling ensured a comfortable passage for Craig Lynch’s side, who dedicated their performance to Town supporter Keith Soulsby. The popular fan passed away recently, and the Highwaymen held a minute’s applause prior to kick-off at Craik Park before paying an apt tribute on the pitch with a stellar display.

After a goalless first half, Hancox opened the scoring in the second period when he popped up at the back post to get on the end of a teasing set-piece. Dowling would then double Morpeth’s advantage with a typically emphatic finish that crashed in off the underside of the crossbar.

And speaking after the final whistle, Town boss Lynch was quick to praise his side, while also paying his respects to Keith. He said: “Firstly, obviously today's game was dedicated to Keith, who was a great bloke, great fan, came home and away with his son, Richard, and he'd always stop us after the game and give his opinion, which I love. He didn't hide behind it, he told us what it was about and I've got a lot of respect for people who do that. I'm glad we could win for our first home game after his passing.”

He continued: “Today, I enjoyed it. We had to come today and we had to play well, and the only thing I think was lacking in the first half was a goal, just to take the sting out of it, because we're going in 0-0, similar to the Matlock game where we probably should have been ahead, and it gives the opposition a chance to get into the game. But second half, two really good finishes and we were just saying there, off camera, I think we had seven teenagers played today - we had eight in the squad - and to keep a clean sheet, fantastic. I thought they all did themselves justice today, I thought it was really good.”