FA TROPHY PREVIEW

MORPETH Town will look to reach the third round of the FA Trophy for the second consecutive season when they visit Northern Premier League rivals Warrington Town, MARK CARRUTHERS writes.

The Highwaymen have already seen off Pickering Town and Bromsgrove Sporting under Craig Lynch.

The former Sunderland forward will make a late check on the fitness of defenders Callum Morris and Stephen Forster.

However, he has been boosted by striker Liam Henderson coming through 90 minutes in last weekend’s draw with Matlock Town.

Morpeth midfielder Sam Hodgson believes his side can take confidence from the draw with table-topping Matlock as it prepares to face another team impressing in non-league’s third tier this season.

He said: “It is a long trip but we are used to them now.

“We go there full of confidence we can match anyone in this league.

“We were confident anyway but the performance against Matlock has just proved it.”

■MICHAEL Barron will serve as caretaker of Blyth Spartans again when they visit National League North rivals York City in the Trophy.

The Spartans travel to the LNER Community Stadium looking to avoid a repeat of the 4-0 league defeat inflicted on them by the Minstermen last month.

Barron will take a late check on the striker Dan Maguire’s fitness ahead of the clash with his old club.

■DARLINGTON also head into an all-National League North tie keen to avoid a repeat of a recent defeat.

The Quakers will look for revenge for the 3-0 reverse they suffered at Southport in late October when they return to Haig Avenue.

■SPENNYMOOR Town are also in Trophy action this weekend - and they are the only one of the North East clubs left in the competition to have been handed a home draw.

Tommy Miller’s men face National League North counterparts Chorley.