Morpeth effort ‘magnificent’ – Lynch

CRAIG Lynch hailed a “magnificent” Morpeth Town display as they hit Stafford Rangers for six on the final day of the Premier Division season.

A youthful looking Highwaymen side took five minutes to break through as

Sam Hodgson opened the scoring following good work down the right-hand side from Jack Foalle before the winger got in on the act with a similar finish just after the midway point of the first-half.

Their dominance continued as half-time approached and on-loan South Shields striker Hodgson added to the lead with a clever finish over advancing

Rangers keeper Cameron

Belford seven minutes before the break.

There was no let-up in the second-half as Hodgson went on to complete his hat-trick with a powerful effort into the roof of the net before on-loan Middlesbrough youngster Fenton John rounded off an impressive display with two stunning late efforts.

Speaking after the game, Lynch said: “We had 11 outfield players, we had the academy and we used it and they were perfect today.

“I said to the lads I wanted to stand and enjoy it today with Stafford being relegated and the season being over. If you can’t enjoy that, then what chance have you got?

“We were magnificent, we were a joy to watch.”

The Morpeth boss also praised hat-trick hero Hodgson after he rounded off an impressive season-long loan at Craik Park by bagging his first treble for the club after several near misses.

“He will say to himself he should have had two or three hat-tricks this season,” he explained.

“I’m delighted he got it today, he’s got into positions we have talked to him about and he knows where he needs to be.

“It was a great performance.”