MATCH PREVIEW: Trophy time
For the second successive Saturday, Reds will be on cup duty as they embark on their 49th FA Trophy campaign with a tough tie against Morpeth Town (3pm at Borough Park) in the Third Qualifying Round.
The Highwaymen become Reds’ 72nd different opponent in the competition since we played our first game back in 1978, in what will be the first of at least three meetings against each other this term. We are scheduled to play here on Boxing Day in the league with the return encounter at Craik Park over Easter.
It is one of five ‘all Premier Division’ clashes against two sides locked together in the table – we have both obtained 12 points so far, albeit Town have done so from one game fewer.
Last season, in the league, we lost 3-0 in the north east and were held to a 2-2 draw on home soil in what were the first ever NPL encounters between the two clubs. By coincidence, we both lost eighteen matches and conceded 81 goals so room for improvement in both camps.
The Trophy tie will be settled on the day, via a penalty shoot-out if the scores are level after ninety minutes.
The winners will bank £2,450 from the FA prize fund with £625 the compensation for the losers.
Mark Fell hopes his squad will be near to full strength, having rested a number of the senior players last week, although Ceiran Casson remains the main injury concern.
The next round of the Trophy is scheduled for the 26th October.
