Match report proudly sponsored by Northumbria Print

A topsy turvy Emirates FA Cup First Qualifying Round tie ended all-square as Morpeth Town drew 2-2 with Warrington Town at Craik Park.

The visitors grasped the early initiative with a solo effort from Luke Duffy in the 18th minute. Morpeth equalised on the half-hour mark through Jack Foalle, only for Stefan Mols to restore Warrington’s lead seven minutes later. The Highwaymen would equalise for a second time in the 57th minute when Connor Thomson netted a penalty.

The home side started Ryan Wombwell at right back, with the Gateshead loanee continuing to deputise for the injured Josh Robson. Fellow ‘Heed loanee Connor Pani was also brought back into the starting line-up, in place of the injured Liam Noble.

Josh Scott was rewarded with a debut up front in place of Dale Pearson, who dropped to the bench, with Ben Sayer replaced by Ben Ramsey. Callum Morris and Josh King both made the bench for the first time this season as they inched closer to full fitness following injury.

The first chance would fall for the hosts in the 8th minute as Foalle held up play before feeding Ramsey. But the latter could only graze the top of the bar with his effort.

Warrington, one of our NPL Premier Division rivals, were lively on the front foot and created their first real opportunity when a mistake allowed Isaac Buckley-Ricketts – who had scored in our opening day defeat at the Wire – in front of goal but his hesitation saw him feed Mols, who could only blaze high and wide.

Then came the first goal for the away side, on 18 minutes, through Duffy. The winger started on the left before cutting his way into the box and firing an unstoppable drive past Morpeth keeper Dan Lowson.

Morpeth responded with a Pani effort that went narrowly past the post five minutes later prior to Foalle’s equaliser. Chris Reid was the instigator, finding Foalle who volleyed into the back of the net to level the scores and earn his third goal of the season so far.

However, parity would last seven minutes as Mols’ powerful strike once again put Warrington ahead in the 37th minute. It would stay that way at the interval, with a close game seeing the visitors ahead.

Morpeth knew they needed to respond in the second half and did so when Ben Ramsey was brought down in the penalty area in the 57th minute. With regular spot-kick taker Noble injured, up stepped Thomson to slot home a second equaliser for the home team.

With their tails up, Ryan Donaldson flashed a shot just past the post on his 50th Morpeth Town appearance on 61 minutes before Matty McDonald dragged a shot just wide on 76 minutes as both sides sought a late winner.

It nearly came for the visitors in the 86th minute as McDonald found the ball at his feet, but his tame effort fell kindly for Lowson to gather.

A late Highwaymen penalty appeal was waved away in the closing stages as neither side could find a decisive final goal.

Town are next in action on Tuesday night when they travel to Warrington Town for the replay (7.45pm). Live commentary will be available on our Mixlr Page, click here to join us.

MORPETH TOWN: Lowson, Wombwell, Reid, Donaldson, Henderson (c), Turner, Foalle, Pani, Scott (Pearson 74’), Thomson, Ramsey (Sayer 71’).

SUBS NOT USED: Geliher, King, Morris, Harvey.

WARRINGTON TOWN: Thompson, Seary, White, Hannigan, Gumbs, McDonald, Howard, Mols, Buckley-Ricketts, Dixon, Duffy.

ATT: 339