Linnets pay a harsh penalty in exiting the Trophy

Runcorn Linnets 1 Morpeth Town 1

(Morpeth won 3-1 on penalties) 

All smiles after Lewis Crane (No 9) had sent Runcorn into a sixth-minute lead. Picture by Bobby Hancox.

Report by Dave Bettley

Runcorn bowed out of the Isuzu FA Trophy as higher division Morpeth won a shootout to break Linnets' unbeaten home record. 

It was unlucky for the depleted hosts, who'd had the better of the Third Round Qualifying tie in which both sides served up some attractive football. 

Brad Cooke's men had already won in this season's competition on penalties. 

But the 100% accuracy they had shown from 12 yards in victory against Garforth Town eluded them. 

Linnets this time converted just one spot-kick out of four. 

Morpeth had never lost a penalty contest in the Trophy, the first of four earlier successes having been on the same ground in 2020-21. 

Yet after a first half of Linnets domination, the prospect of the long-distance Northumberland visitors extending that run looked an outside bet. 

Fortunate to be going into half-time only one goal adrift - despite a glaring miss of their own entering the referee's allowance for stoppages - the Highwaymen were soon back on terms, thanks to a cracking goal from Cyril Giraud on 50 minutes. 

They then promptly hit the Runcorn woodwork from a Sam Hodgson header but the longer the match went on, Runcorn again looked the likelier winners. 

Harvey Washington had a header from a corner cleared off the line and there were other near misses. 

Runcorn certainly have no need to reproach themselves in defeat. They had again performed well. 

But the ball just wouldn't fall for the hosts in front of goal despite putting the top-flight Pitching In Northern Premier League side under intense late pressure. 

Linnets sent out a much-changed line-up as has become the norm this season. Picture by Bobby Hancox.

NPL West's Linnets had continued to make light of the selection problems, which have blighted a so far still successful campaign. 

The latest blow was on-loan goalkeeper Harvey Bardsley’s recall by Blackpool to join their first-team squad. 

With the injuries to Bayleigh Passant and regular understudy Alex Ellams, from the Under 21s, there was a call-up for the other 'keeper in Runcorn's North West U21s Development League squad. 

George Huyton looked assured from the start, making a couple of important second-half saves and another in the shootout to briefly keep alive Linnets' hopes. 

Huyton was one of two Runcorn players on debut. The other, Southport loanee Nathan Sandison was soon heavily involved down the left.

He set up Lewis Crane to deliver the perfect start with a sixth-minute deadlock breaker. 

Oh yes! Lewis Crane's goal was his fourth in two games. Picture by Bobby Hancox.

The centre forward's clinical right-footed strike from the left of the penalty area was

driven low, hard and true inside the near post.

It was the teenager's fourth goal in two games. He and winger Oscar Rosenblatt, who had scored twice in the weekend's seven-goal victory over Bury, looked full of vigour and confidence.

With Linnets already ahead, one of Rosenblatt's quality crosses from the right set up the returning Eden Gumbs for a shot after a move, which the latter had started himself. 

Hometown utility man Gumbs, bringing power in central midfield, was foiled by the legs of Morpeth 'keeper Dan Langley after Sandison had seen a header blocked. 

Sandison also saw an effort deflected wide as Runcorn swarmed all over the Highwaymen for the first 15 minutes. 

After that, Morpeth came onto the game a little more but without producing anything of attacking substance until injury time. 

It looked easier for Jonathan Hooper to score when Morpeth schemer Luke James threaded the ball through to him. 

But the tall striker, for once in behind a well-drilled defence, hit wide of the right post. 

The  North East side came out for the second half with more intent, finally putting a shot on target - although the effort was straight at Huyton. 

George Huyton made some good saves even before keeping out Morpeth's second penalty in the shootout. Picture by Peter Galllagher-Headley

The 'keeper made a more taxing save at the base of his right post. But with No.10 James pulling their strings increasingly hard, Morpeth quickly transformed the tie. 

Runcorn centre back Washington wasn't  impressed as a free-kick was awarded against him for an alleged foul midway inside his own half. 

But there was no doubting the quality of Giraud's finish after the ball had beenn pumped forward. 

His rasping half-volley from 20 yards was rising all the way into the top right corner.

It was well beyond the reach of Huyton, who may well however have touched Hodgson's header on to his crossbar to deny the visitors a quick second goal. 

Linnets, having seen loud penalty appeals for handball dismissed as a Markell Foulds header was intercepted by a Morpeth defender, sent on Lewis Doyle and Naim Arsan in the 63rd minute -  to continue the good work of Jorge Dwyer in midfield and Sandison out wide. 

Linnets fans appreciate another good display against higher- division opponents. Picture by Bobby Hancox.

Sean Miller then substituted for Gumbs midway through the half as Runcorn tried  everything to regain the lead. 

Doyle sent a great ball across the Morpeth goalmouth but it somehow evaded the two Runcorn players in the vicinity. 

Miller's industry meanwhile suggested he is approaching full fitness. 

After Morpeth had survived dangerous late corners from Rain on the right and Doyle from the left to remain level at full-time. Miller safely dispatched the opening penalty. 

Sean Miler scores from the spot to get Runcorn off to an ideal start in the shootout. Picture by Peter Galllagher-Headley

Huyton responded to Arsan's unaccustomed miss with a smart save from sub Sam Hodgson. 

But Nic Bollado and 'keeper Langley, surprisingly having a pop so early in the shootout, converted convincingly. 

Morpeth skipper Jeff Henderson settled the issue by routinely slotting home from their fourth attempt. 

The victory rewarded the visitors for the inconvenience of what should have been an eight-hour round trip. 

However, their midweek venture south became all the more daunting. Morpeth’s coach broke down at Murdishaw Roundabout on the return journey. 

With no replacement available locally, it was past 2am when a rescue vehicle arrived from the North East - and 7.15am on Wednesday when they eventually got home. 

For some, it would have been straight to work.

Runcorn have no time or reason to dwell on the disappointment of being knocked out of the Wembley competition. 

Matty Rain and his Linnets team-mates will be back in the spotlight on Saturday as they eye a place in the First Round Proper of the FA Cup. Picture by Bobby Hancox.

Attention now turns to another, Saturday's Emirates FA Cup visit of National League North side Buxton. 

Linnets' first appearance in the Fourth Round Qualifying is being rightly billed as the biggest game in their 19-year history. 

They will hope to have more players back. But whatever team takes to the field, supporters know from experience that it will give everything to the cause. 

Runcorn Linnets: George Huyton, Joe Ferguson, Matty Rain, Markell Foulds, Adam Rooney (capt), Harvey Washington, Oskar Rosenblatt, Jorge Dwyer (Lewis Doyle, 63 mins), Lewis Crane, Eden Gumbs (Sean Miller, 68 mins), Nathan Sandison (Naim Arsan, 63 mins). Sub (not used): Jacques Welsh.

Attendance: 458.