Recap
A comfortable, impressive victory in the end with Reds recording a first FA Trophy win on home soil for five years.
But they conceded first and took a while to get going in the first half before extending the mini-unbeaten run to three matches.
They were good value for the win, overall, and Town were probably relieved that they didn’t concede more as they faced repeated runs from deep from diminutive duo, Kai Nugent and Tom Stephenson.
Offensively, this was one of Reds’ better displays of the season and almost the perfect birthday present for manager, Mark Fell.
“I felt a little bit older at half time actually,” he admitted.
One or two minor issues were ironed out during the interval, the quality improved and the first three substitutions certainly made a difference, all of which left the crowd, and the manager, well satisfied by the finish.
Morpeth had got their noses in front inside the opening quarter of an hour thanks to Jack Foalle’s well taken goal and, had Nic Bollado not strayed offside when converting a ‘second’, Reds might have found the comeback beyond them.
They eventually levelled on the hour and it was the in-form Steven Rigg who reacted first after Dav Symington’s thumping drive rebounded conveniently after hitting the post.
Although dominating, Reds squandered a few chances and the manager might have been contemplating his penalty takers for the potential shoot-out. Thankfully, the penalties scenario wasn’t needed with two late goals confirming the Cumbrians passage into the next round.
Great work from the excellent Stephenson on the right created Jamie Allen’s goal on the back of his call-up for international duty. And the assured finish by the current Montserrat player would have certainly been appreciated by the well-known former England star watching from the Popular Side terrace.
And there was still time for Rigg to grab his second of the afternoon three minutes before the end of normal time to cap a fine recovery.
Great contributions from all over the pitch as the feel-good factor continues to grow on the pitch and the terraces.
Workington: Mitchell, Little (Stephenson, 58), Fitzpatrick, Kamara (Jamie Allen, 72), Swinglehurst, Ambrose, Symington (McCarron, 90), Norris (Hubbold, 73), Rigg, Nugent (Wilkinson, 90), Galloway.
Morpeth Town: Langley, Evans, Robson, Dowling, Henderson, King, John, Barlow, Foalle, Bollado, James. Substitutes – Wombwell, Chater, Griggs (not used).
Referee: Daniel Hitchell, Wirral
Booking: Kamara (Workington)
Attendance: 592