By Mark Carruthers
Craig Lynch hailed his Morpeth Town heroes as they reached the last 16 of the FA Trophy for the first time with a stunning home win against National League North play-off challengers Boston United.
The Highwaymen continued their resurgence under the former Sunderland and Spennymoor Town forward as they battled to a 4-3 win to secure their place in Monday’s draw.
It was the visitors that struck first as Jake Wright tapped home at the far post with just nine minutes on the clock but Lynch’s side overturned that deficit with two stunning strikes from Jack Foalle and Liam Henderson.
That looked to have given them a narrow advantage at half-time but a topsy-turvy tie was turned on its head once again as Pilgrims duo Scott Duxbury and Danny Elliott struck in first-half injury-time.
The hosts made the perfect start to the second-half when Liam Noble restored parity from the penalty spot after Liam Henderson had been wrestled to the ground inside the area.
And the hardworking Henderson played a major role in the decisive goal 20 minutes from time as he blocked an attempted clearance inside the Pilgrims area.
The ball looped its way towards Foalle at the back post and he headed home his second goal of the day to send his side into the last 16 for the very first time.
After the game, an ecstatic Lynch told The NLP: “If anyone comes to Morpeth, they know they are going to get value for money because we just don’t do things the easy way.
“It was absolutely outstanding, a proper cup tie.
“They are seventh in the National League North so we knew what we were facing.
“There’s not enough words to describe how I am feeling.
“Taking over at Seaham Red Star at a young age was a great learning curve, and now this is a great club to be involved in.
“We have a quality squad and I think we have seen the potential here as a club today.
“It’s the best moment of my career.”
All eyes now turn towards Monday’s fifth round draw as Morpeth look to extend their historic run in the competition.
The likes of Notts County, Bromley, Wrexham and Boreham Wood are all potential opponents for Lynch’s side – and the Highwaymen boss admitted he doesn’t mind who they are paired with, as long as they get a home tie.
“No club would relish coming up here,” he explained.
“People come to Morpeth for a day out, and the ambience at the ground is nice – but in football, you need a bit of aggression and passion from the stands.
“That’s what we had today and that’s why we are doing so well at the moment.
“We don’t mind who we get but we would love to get another fantastic team up here in the last 16.”
