Today's Teams Lancaster City Morpeth Town

LANCASTER CITY FC Giant Axe, West Road, Lancaster Lancashire LA1 5PE Telephone & Fax: 01524 382238 Email: [email protected] Website: www.lancastercityfc.com

Welcome . . . WWWWWWWWWWW WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW WWWWWWWELCOME Good evening and welcome to our Northern Premier League game against Morpeth Town.

We would like to extend a warm welcome to their Players, officials and supporters along with the match officials and hope they enjoy their visit.

Last Saturday’s defeat at home to Basford leaves us still looking for our first win of the season. The performance was a lot better than against Runcorn and we probably deserved to get something from the game but a combination of missed chances and some solid defending saw our visitors leave with the points.

It was encouraging to see the Covid regulations being adhered to and although it is not an ideal scenario for any of us, hopefully it should allow the season to progress without any further restrictions

Morpeth have made a solid start to the season with a home draw against Grantham being followed by a win at Mickleover and a FA Cup win over City of Liverpool sandwiched in between leaving them unbeaten to date. Andrew Johnson has started well for them in front of goal having netted in both league games whilst Jack Foalle scored twice in the FA Cup tie.

Saturday sees us travel down the M6 for the FA Cup tie at North West Counties side Skelmersdale United and with no midweek game next week, the next home game will be Saturday 10 October when Gainsborough Trinity visit Giant Axe

Enjoy the game.

Andrew Satterthwaite

CITY CLUB DIRECTORY President Ian Sharp LIFE Vice President : Barry Neswham Chairman : Stuart Houghton General Manager : Graham Dockerty Non Executive Directors : Eric Williams (Supporters Club) : Keith Winder Club Secretary : Sarah Pearce Assistant Secretary : Mike Sparks Club Treasurer : Amy Evans Gold Bond Co-ordinator : Pam Satterthwaite

COACHING STAFF First Team Manager : Mark Fell Assistant Manager : Graham Lancashire First Team Coach : Rob Henry Goalkeeping Coach : Mark Thornley Sport Therapist : Paul Winstanley Medical Consultant : David Rhodes Kit Manager : Michael McGahon Assistant Kit Manager : Stuart Wilson Assistant Kit Manager : Michael Wilson

OTHER PERSONNEL Youth Squad Manager : Lee Dodgson Club Solicitor : Peter Rutherford Club Chaplin : Fr Anthony Keefe Club Historian : David Cunliffe Commercial Manager: Alex Everett Club Webmaster : Eric Williams / Graham Dockerty LCFC Media : Alex Everett Club Safety Officer : Rob Hill Welfare Officers : Jan Walsh / Peter Davies Groundsman : Aran Rigg GroundStaff : David Hughes / Peter Benson / David Cunliffe / Moreen Cunliffe/ Rob Hill / Billy Heron / Tony Moorby / Steve Wright / Pam Satterthwaite

PROGRAMME TEAM Editors : Andrew Satterthwaite / Barry Newsham Contributors : Fr Anthony Keefe / Steve Wright / Keith Winder / Ian Wood Printing / Compiling : Andrew Satterthwaite / Graham Dockerty Public Address : Eric Williams Raffle / Golden Goal Sellers : Jan & Ron Walsh

SUPPORTERS CLUB General Secretary : Keith Winder Treasurer : Steve Wright

LANCASTER CITY FOOTBALL CLUB IS A TRADING NAME OF LANCASTER CITY FC LTD REG No 06010739 THERE ARE 8 SHAREHOLDERS ALL OWNING 11.3% OF THE SHARE CAPITAL THESE ARE : D.NEEDHAM. I. SHARP. E.WILLIAMS. S.HOUGHTON. M.HOYLE. R.MUCKLE. G.DOCKERTY. AND T.CLARKSON. THERE ARE 10 FURTHER SHAREHOLDERS EACH HOLDING NO MORE THAN 1.3% OF THE SHARE CAPITAL REGISTERED OFFICE : THE CLOSE, QUEENS SQUARE, LANCASTER, ENGLAND, LA1 1RS ACCOUNTANTS : CWRCHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS, THE CLOSE, QUEENS SQUARE, LANCASTER, ENGLAND, LA1 1RS

Fell’s View . . . with City boss Mark Fell . . .

Mark Fell & Graham Lancashire

Well football is back and it’s doing my head in already! – says Mark Fell this week !!

“Saturday we did everything but put the ball in the net multiple times. I thought we looked fit, strong and creative, we just lacked that ruthlessness in front of goal. Killer grabbed us a point but there was no one in Bower Fold who didn’t think we did enough to win it, including Simon Howarth (Stalybridge’s Manager) who was very complimentary about us.

Fast forward to Tuesday, and if I had any hair left, it’s in the stand next to the directors box. I know my post-match interview raised some eyebrows but it’s the truth, we dropped our levels and that’s not acceptable. On another day we’d have been knocked out and that would be a disaster for the football club. We got let of the hook massively and although we’ll move on quickly, we need not to forget how vulnerable we are (or any team is) when not at our best. It wasn’t necessarily workrate that I was critical of, more that, with the players at this club our quality on the ball has to be better.

Ironically; I know that we’ll be better Saturday. Basford will come and we’ll raise our game against one of the league favourites, we always do!

On the playing front, two young players, Ben Anderson and Jamie Hodgson who trialed for us in pre-season have gone to Kendal for some game time and more experience. Paul Dawson should return this week and Nozza’s (and mine) ban is complete. Sam Bailey is our only worry with a badly bruised ankle.

Finally a plea, that all supporters adhere to the social distancing guidelines at all times in the stadium. It’s a blow that we’ve been further reduced to 200 fans and that will have a knock on effect financially, we’ve been unfairly targeted in my view, especially seeing how little other clubs have done compared to us, but we need to be absolutely squeaky clean to get that number back up ASAP. So if stewards or club officials remind you of the need to distance, please follow the requests, whilst enjoying the game and getting behind the lads.”

Our Visitors ~ MORPETH TOWN Introducing our Pitching In NPL Premier Division Opponents . . .

Morpeth Town Football Club was established in 1894, and through more than a century of football have continued the tradition of carrying Amber and Black as their team colours. The club was formed after an amalgamation between Morpeth United and Morpeth FC, playing at Stobhill Cricket Field.

In 1954 the club moved to Storey Park, and in the 1980s enjoyed a successful time in the Northern Alliance, winning the title and finishing runners-up on two other occasions, as well as lifting both the Challenge Cup and Benevolent Bowl in 1986.

The club spent half a century in the Northern Football Alliance before stepping up to the Northern League on their One Hundredth Anniversary, winning the Division Two title in their first season and finishing sixth in Division One and Northumberland Senior Cup runners-up in their second. In 1998/99 they made it to the final Qualifying Round of the FA Cup, losing 1-0 at home to Nigel Clough’s Burton Albion.

The club moved to a purpose-built stadium in 1994, which coincided with a League and Cup double, and with it, promotion to the Northern League. Craik Park was named after the father and son W and R Craik who had served as secretary between 1920 and 1985. Current President Ken Beattie was the man behind the stadium and since 1992 he has revived the club’s fortunes.

Membership of the Northern League followed in 1994/95 and the following year saw the Second Division Champion- ship being presented to Morpeth. The club finished sixth in the First Division at the first time of asking, as well as reaching the final of the Northumberland Senior Cup.

After sitting comfortably mid-table between 1996/7 and 1999/2000, Morpeth narrowly avoided relegation on goal difference in the 2000/01 season and finished once again one spot above the relegation zone in 2001/02.

The next few years saw Morpeth Town move back into the middle of the table before a sixth place finish in 2005/06, Morpeth’s equal top performance in the Northern League.

In 2006/07 Morpeth won the Northumberland Senior Cup for the first time since 1886 (as Morpeth Harriers) with a 3- 2 victory over Blyth Spartans.

Disaster struck in 2009/10 as Morpeth Town were relegated to the Second Division and things got even worse a season later as Morpeth Town finished bottom of the Northern League’s second tier.

The club was in dire straits with President Ken Beattie and Chairman Jim Smith trying their best to keep the club running by bringing the ground up to Northern League standards whilst being forced to ground share with local rivals Bedlington Terriers. The club was within weeks of folding at one point.

The Highwaymen began their revival in 2011/12 under the stewardship of Nick Gray who moved to the club from Seaton Delaval and brought a number of players. In his first season Morpeth narrowly missed promotion back to the top tier, finishing fourth and at one point won fourteen consecutive home games.

2012/13 saw the side improve once more, finishing one place higher in third position, beating out Jarrow Roofing on goal difference to earn promotion.

After earning promotion Morpeth Town managed to avoid the drop quite comfortably finishing in seventeenth place. During the season, they also went on a then historic FA Vase run to the Quarter-Final stage.

In 2014/15 saw further improvement, with the Highwaymen finishing eighth in the table and reaching the Northum- berland Senior Cup Final. The club was now beginning to attract high-calibre players to the area, with the likes of Keith Graydon and Ben Sayer signing from higher level football. Our Visitors ~ MORPETH TOWN Introducing our Pitching In NPL Premier Division Opponents . . .

In 2014/15 saw further improvement, with the Highwaymen finishing eighth in the table and reaching the North- umberland Senior Cup Final. The club was now beginning to attract high-calibre players to the area, with the likes of Keith Graydon and Ben Sayer signing from higher level football.

The 2015/16 season brought Nick Gray his first trophy for the club, and what a win it was, beating heavily fa- voured Hereford FC 4-1 in the FA Vase final at Wembley Stadium. Despite going a goal down in the first two minutes, the Highwaymen battled back, 45-year old Chris Swailes netting to equalise before half-time. The second half brought an onslaught from Morpeth, Luke Carr scoring after just a minute before Sean Taylor and Shaun Bell netted on a famous day for the Northumberland club. In addition to the Vase, Town finished fourth in the Northern League. The following season, the club narrowly missed out on winning their inaugural Northern League title, finishing in second place behind South Shields.

More recent times have been hugely successful with promotion secured to the Northern Premier League East Divi- sion at the start of the 2018/19 season and a step into the unknown. Far from being daunted by this prospect, the Highwaymen won the title by a distance and added the Senior Cup to claim an unprecedented double.

The 2019/20 season was one not experienced by any club in history as a global pandemic brought the campaign to an abrupt conclusion, with Town on a 10-game unbeaten run and heading for the Play-off spots.

The summer brought change in the manager’s dugout as long-serving Nick Gray stepped down to be replaced by Stephen Turnbull, who takes on his first job in management, having worked on the coaching staff at Craik Park as well as being a player.

Stephen Turnbull – Manager Stephen takes on his first role in management at Craik Park, replacing Nick Gray in the summer of 2020. With experience working on the coaching staff at Town, the former Hartlepool United and Blyth Spartans midfielder will be looking to make a significant impact at the Highwaymen.

Craig Lynch – Assistant Manager Craig previously managed Seaham Red Star before leaving the club during the previous campaign. His playing career took him to Sunderland, Rochdale, Hartlepool, Spennymoor Town and Blyth Spartans.

Jon Mcdonald – Assistant Manager McDonald returned to Morpeth for a second spell at the club this season after leaving Seaham Red Star. He has also managed North Shields.

Dan Lowson – Goalkeeper An experienced keeper in the NPL, Dan has featured for Spennymoor Town most recently, with stints at Blyth Spartans, Alfreton and Luton Town among others. After six games spent on loan at Craik Park, he signed perma- nently during the summer of 2018/19.

Jeff Henderson – Defender A warrior of a centre-back, Henderson’s most successful time came when winning league and cup glory at Sligo Rovers. He also played in the Europa League and Champions League while in Ireland before returning to his na- tive North East. He joined Town from Stobswood, where he had been regaining his fitness following injury.

Stephen Forster – Defender Stephen is an electric full-back, who has made the transition from winger to defender during the course of the 2015-16 season. He has been one of the clubs most consistent performers. Our Visitors ~ MORPETH TOWN Introducing our Pitching In NPL Premier Division Opponents . . .

Michael Turner – Defender Michael signed for the Highwaymen and has gone from strength to strength, making over 100 appearances for the club. He is a solid, no-nonsense defender who likes to get forward. His aerial presence is a handy feature for a left- back.

Chris Reid – Defender Chris signed for the club from Whitley Bay during the 2015-16 season, and has proved to be an influential member of the squad. He made over 200 appearances for the four-time FA Vase winners, and has excelled at Craik Park.

Callum Williams – Defender Signing in November 2019, Callum has enjoyed a strong start to his Morpeth career. Williams came through the Newcastle United Academy before moving to the Moors.

Ryan Hutchinson – Defender Ryan joined the club in January 2020 from Blyth Spartans. Hutchinson has already had a spell earlier in his career with the Highwaymen.

Liam Noble – Midfielder Noble made the switch from Hartlepool over in October 2019. A player with football league experience, Nobsa came through the ranks at Sunderland before joining Carlisle United. He has also featured for Forest Green Rovers and Notts County.

Connor Oliver – Midfielder Joining the club in August 2020, Oliver penned a deal after leaving Gateshead. Another player with experience in the football league with Blackpool and Morecambe. Connor has also played at near neighbours Blyth Spartans.

Ben Sayer – Midfielder Ben joined the club during the 2014-15 season, and is a hard-working player with a superb range of passing. He has a huge creative influence on the side and was named Northern League Player of the Year in 2017.

Wayne Phillips – Midfielder Wayne signed for the club from South Shields, where he won four trophies, including the FA Vase at Wembley Stadium. He is a vastly experienced winger, who has also won the Vase with Spennymoor Town. Hard-working and keen to press, Phillips was given the captain’s armband in the 2019/20 season.

Joe Walton – Midfielder Joe, who won the FA Vase with Spennymoor Town, joined from Washington and the winger has vast experience in the Northern League. He can play in various positions but will best be remembered nationally for a sensational goal against Marske United which went viral.

Andrew Johnson – Midfielder Joining the club in the summer of 2020, Johnson signed after leaving Spennymoor Town. Previously at Ashington before the Moors.

Sam Hodgson – Midfielder A versatile member of the squad, Sam signed for The Highwaymen from Shildon in the Summer of 2018. Able to play across the back four, he also provides a calm and composed figure in the centre of midfield.

Shabz Mohammed – Midfielder Shabz joined the club in the Summer of 2019 from Stockton Town. An England U18 Schoolboy International, Shabz has enjoyed a good start to his career at Craik Park. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times by Fr. Anthony Keefe . . .

You may be familiar with those, the opening words of “A Tale of Two Cities” by Charles Dickens. You may know how he continues: “it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness,”, then a little later “it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair”.

Those words were written in 1859, and they refer to an even earlier period, namely the prelude to the French Revolu- tion of 1789. I can’t imagine that anyone would say that our present times are the best of times, but they aren’t really the worst either, even though they may be the most baffling and frustrating that any of us have lived through, certainly in footballing terms.

What lies ahead this season? As far as football is concerned, does anything lie ahead? I am writing this the day after Lancaster City’s victory on penalties over Runcorn Town in the FA Cup First Qualifying Round, a victory, or should I say a qualification, which had our always honest and realistic manager Mark Fell, expressing bitter disappointment with our side’s performance. It is, in theory, three days before our next League match, at home to Basford United. Will that match take place? Even that is uncertain at present, and if it does, how many matches will follow? You are probably aware that Bamber Bridge’s players have to self isolate for a fortnight because one of their players has test- ed positive for the virus, and they have been compelled to withdraw from the FA Cup. It is hard to imagine that every other club in the League will pass through an entire season unscathed: consequently there is likely to be disruption of fixtures on a scale which will make both League and cups unmanageable. And as Dave Towers mentioned to me in an email, employers are not going to be happy if their workers are required to be absent for a fortnight because of a football-related situation.

So will anyone ever read these words? Because, if the Basford United fixture doesn’t take place, this article will head to the scrap heap even more quickly than usual, as it is written with a specific fixture in mind, and isn’t recyclable. Like the whole of last season, it will be null and void. It will never have existed. It will be an ex-article (with apolo- gies to the Monty Python team). Simon and Garfunkel sang of “writing songs that voices never shared”. Am I writing words which eyes will never read? And does it matter?

Well, in the great scheme of things, it doesn’t matter a jot. No one is going to die because of the absence of football. When people are fighting for their lives, being unable to visit sick relatives, or to bury deceased family members with all the ceremony which they would wish, our concerns about a sporting event are small potatoes indeed. And yet...... As we all know, there is something about following our local football team which lifts the spirits (though we know equally well how deeply it can depress them). I am, of course, not talking about the ugly, bloated monster which is the Poxypremier League which, thanks to the bizarre priorities of the television companies can still be followed by couch potatoes who think they are football fans on the “Idiot’s Lantern”, but of OUR teams, the Lancaster Cities and Basford Uniteds of this world, the value of whom can be grasped only by genuine football supporters, and not by glory hunters who claim to support teams from places with which they have no connection.

One of the real problems of the virus and the restrictions to which it gives rise is the difficulties which it creates for mental health, when people are cooped up in their houses without resort to the finer things of life. One of those finer things is non-League football. To keep that going is not the most important thing in the world, but it may make a small contribution to people’s well-being at a difficult time.

Our Visitors ~ MORPETH TOWN Introducing our Pitching In NPL Premier Division Opponents . . .

Jack Foalle – Striker Jack only made the switch to the Highwaymen in October 2018 but has hit the ground running. Following a run of 17 goals in 15 games at Whitley Bay, ambitious Jack made the move to Craik Park and duly scored a sensational first goal for the club on his home debut. Quick, energetic and enthusiastic, Foalle is a real threat up top.

Liam Henderson – Striker Liam is a prolific centre-forward who signed for the club from Spennymoor Town. He has finished as the club’s top- scorer for the last two seasons and will, no doubt, be up there challenging for the league’s golden boot again, with his robust style of play a constant thorn in the side of opponents..

Carl Finnigan – Striker Carl joined the club in December 2019 from Whickham. Having came through the academy at Newcastle United, Fin- nigan has played professional football in Botswana, Scotland and South Africa.

• * * * * * * • Tonight’s Fixtures

Premier Division Ashton United v South Shields Gainsborough Trinity v Whitby Town Grantham Town v Stafford Rangers Hyde United v FC of Manchester Matlock Town v Basford United Mickleover FC v Witton Albion Nantwich Town v Buxton Stalybridge Celtic v Scarborough Athletic Warrington Town v Atherton Collieries

North West Division Kendal Town v City of Liverpool Marine v Colne Mossley v Runcorn Linnets Ossett United v Dunston Ramsbottom United v Pickering Town Tadcaster Albion v Pontefract Collieries Workington v Trafford

South East Division Frickley Athletic v Belper Town Glossop North End v Newcastle Town Ilkeston Town v Stamford Kidsgrove Athletic v Leek Town Lincoln United v Cleethorpes Town Loughborough Dynamo v Spalding United Sheffield FC v Stocksbridge Park Steels Sutton Coldfield Town v Carlton United Wisbech Town v Worksop Town INTRODUCING YOUR COVID-19 SECURE

GIANT AXE BY GRAHAM DOCKERTY For the foreseeable future matches at Giant Axe will be subject to the club strictly adhering to the guidance provided.

Consequently, a maximum of 300 spectators are allowed for all our competitive matches, managed through a new online DIGITAL TICKETING system to ensure we do not exceed the capacity guidelines and control the flow of entry. Our digital ticketing system is set for launching ahead of the first home match, this Saturday 12th September v Spennymoor Town. Season Ticket holders will have priority and be guaranteed entry to all our Northern Premier League home fixtures. Fans will notice changes with respect to social distancing and are requested to wear a face covering when moving around the ground. Risk assessments have been produced and published with the following key changes to your usual match day experience; o Fans must adhere to social distancing at all times o Pedestrian barriers and a gangway around the ground will allow fans to move safely, one way at a time o Crowd management by Stewards and Marshalls at cross-over points o Social distance spacing of available seats in the John Bagguley stand and 2m squares marked in all spectator standing areas o Area behind the dug-outs cordoned off to form a safe area for players and management (barriers will open at full-time to allow fans to leave via this side) o Positioning of infra-red activated hand sanitisers around the ground o 2m queuing introduced for the turnstile(s), Netbusters’ Bar, Dolly’s Diner, Tea Bar and toilets o Cashless payments only for Netbusters’ Bar and Dolly’s Diner The club have also produced a Coronavirus Code of Behaviour to provide further guidance when attending matches. We would ask fans to observe these guidelines and bear with us whilst these necessary restrictions are imposed upon us, but the safety of our fans is our number one priority. We want all spectators to enjoy coming to Giant Axe to watch The Dollies in a safe environment. Thank you for your continued support in these difficult times. For further information please contact Graham Dockerty (01524)-382238 CORONAVIRUS CODE OF BEHAVIOUR BY GRAHAM DOCKERTY In order to assist our staff, stewards and marshalls, and to help protect you and your fellow spectators.

In order to assist our staff, Stewards and Marshalls, and to help protect you and your fellow spectators, you are kindly requested to follow these guidelines when attending all fixtures:- · Make sure in advance that you know where your entry point is, and if an entry time is specified on your ticket or when making your booking, please adhere to your allotted time. · Arrive in good time to go through all of the necessary entry procedures. · At all times, and in all parts of the ground, please observe social distancing and avoid close contact with those not in your ‘bubble’. · Be aware that all payments inside the ground should be contactless where possible. · Maintain good hygiene: use the sanitiser dispensers provided and avoid touching your face or other com- monly-touched surfaces, such as handles and railings, whenever possible. · We advise you to wear a mask or face covering within the ground when you are able, especially when inside a building, e.g. the front part of the queue for Netbusters’ Bar or using the toilets. · If you need to access any of the ground’s amenities, such as toilets, Dolly’s Diner, Netbusters Bar and tea bar, check to see if any of them have queues and plan accordingly. · Remain in your seat or viewing position at all times where it is possible. · If you need to leave your viewing position, wait for a time when the gangway is clear and follow any sign- age indicating which way to go, or the directions of the stewards. · If you are seated, when moving past spectators to and from your seat, please avoid face to face contact with other spectators. · If you are standing, please stay within your social bubble and remain aware of the movements of others at all times. · Please observe respiratory etiquette: always cover your mouth if needing to cough or sneeze. · Avoid hugs, high-fives and any close contact with people who are not in your social bubble. · Minimise shouting, singing or celebrating where possible, and if you do sing or shout please wear a mask or face covering. · If you are attending with other members of your social bubble, please make sure they have read and under- stand these guidelines too. Thank you for your co-operation: STAY SAFE!

Lancaster City Supporters Club with Supporters Club General Secretary Keith Winder . . .

Morpeth Town

The League may wish us to regard last season as “the one that never happened”, but some of the events which did take place will stay long in the memory – like the win at South Shields in November. But the two fixtures against newly- promoted Morpeth Town definitely deserve a mention. Both games were humdingers, for different reasons, but the two games served up 10 goals between them, and both sent their home fans away very happy indeed.

Tonight we meet them at Giant Axe in our third League match of the season. Last year, our second fixture was the long Tuesday evening trip to Craik Park – but that was not the only reason it was likely to be an uncomfortable evening; this was Morpeth’s first-ever home outing at Step 3 of the non-league pyramid, where the feel-good factor and morale were at the highest level. Morpeth’s Evostik Division 1 East title win the previous season, achieved with a 3-1 win against fellow contenders Pontefract, in front of 950 supporters, was the club’s second successive promotion and is the third achieved by their inspirational manager, Nick Gray. Gray also masterminded the club’s 2016 FA Vase Fi- nal victory at Wembley against stonewall favourites Hereford United, and has now been with the club for 9 years.

So, not surprisingly, there was an excited, passionate and vocal crowd at Craik Park for City’s visit, and every expec- tation that Gray’s boys would do the business in this historic first-ever home fixture at this level. If ever a crowd was really a 12th man, this was to be it. And the Club were on a roll, having been the League’s surprise package on the opening day of the season with a 3-1 win at title favourites, Warrington Town. And what a cracker it turned out to be, although a devastating night and outcome for the Dollies – leading 2-1 with only 5 mins to go, but finally losing 3-2. To describe our Manager as incandescent that night would be an understatement – firstly for a clear penalty to City in the first half not given, and secondly for the penalty awarded to Morpeth to score the equaliser in the dying seconds of the game, for a foul that wasn’t even close to being in the penalty box ! But that’s football, isn’t it ?

The return fixture at Giant Axe took place on January 4th. City might ordinarily have been motivated by events at Craik Park in August to ‘return the favour’ to the opposition, but there were far more pressing concerns in the City dressing room at the time, after yet another disastrous Christmas and New Year – yes, we do seem to say that every season – in which Bamber Bridge ‘did a Morpeth’ on us at Giant Axe on Boxing Day, scoring twice in time added on to win 3-2, and following that with defeat at Atherton Colls on New Year’s Day. So, expectations were not high, especially given the very productive season the visitors were having. But this was to be a defiant performance from City, and if their gander was up before the match, it certainly was when Sam Bailey received a (deserved) straight red after quarter of an hour for a reckless challenge on Morpeth’s left wing-back. I’m not sure we were quite so confident on the terraces,, but a stunning performance followed, with a hattrick from Paul Dawson, and a Charlie Bailey goal squeezed in between, just after substitute Sean Taylor pulled one back, and threatened to haul the visitors back into the game. But it wasn’t to be and City ran out 4-1 winners, a match which the Morpeth Manager was to describe in his post-match interview as the most sobering experience of the season.

Morpeth were well placed to finish in a play-off spot last season, and will doubtless consider that to be a minimum requirement this time round. As last season, after a sluggish start, City fans will just be hoping tonight for 3 points, however they come – but if the two sides can replicate even half the drama of last season’s two fixtures, we should be in for a great night ! The City Match Report by the LCFC Media Team . . .

LANCASTER CITY 1 BASFORD UNITED 2

Saturday 26th September 2020

Basford United secured their first win of the season leaving Lancaster still looking for theirs following a 2-1 win at Giant Axe.

Although Lancaster almost took the lead with a shot that was saved, it was Basford who looked the more confident side in the early stages as they pressed forward in search of the lead.

Despite their slow start, it was Lancaster who almost broke the deadlock when Matty Blinkhorn tried to take ad- vantage of a poor back pass but Kieran Preston came out quickly to block his shot.

Basford broke the deadlock in the 26th minute when Stefan Galinski rose to power a header from a corner towards goal and although it was headed away, the referee's assistant indicated that the ball had crossed the line. Their lead lasted less than five minutes as Lancaster equalised on the half hour mark. A free kick was played to tom Kilifin and although he failed to make a proper contact on the ball, it fell to Andy Teague who blasted home from eight yards.

Lancaster came close to taking the lead early in the second half when Paul Dawson played in David Norris but his shot was fired wide of goal.

Basford restored their lead in the 52nd minute when Lancaster's defence failed to clear the ball and Kyle Dixon played the ball across goal for Alex Howes to fire home at the far post.

Glenn Steel had a chance to level for Lancaster three minutes later when a Dawson free kick deflected off the de- fensive wall to him but the shot flew over the crossbar.

A slick move almost set up Matt Thornhill for a third for Basford on the hour mark but Lancaster's defence just managed to block and the ball ended in the arms of Sam Ashton

Lancaster's best chance to equalise came with 20 minutes remaining when a free kick was played into Basford's penalty area but Niall Cowperthwaite's free header was directed wide of goal.

Further pressure presented another chance for Lancaster to equalise with five minutes remaining when Preston could only punch a Jacob Gregory cross into the path of Norris but his shot was blocked for a corner. Rev James had the chance to kill the game off for Basford deep into stoppage time when he broke free on goal but his shot went wide of a post

City team: Ashton, Fensome, Bailey (McGladdery 45), Cowperthwaite, Teague, Steel, Gregory, Dawson (Sloan 77), Blinkhorn, Norris, Kilifin (Turner 69) Unused subs: Dugdale, Wills

LCFC STATS A ON Off G P PM Ass OG PS YC RC CS Pla

S Ashton 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Goalkeeper C Bailey 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Midfield S Bailey 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Midfield M Blinkhorn 2 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 Striker N Cowperthwaite 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 Midfield L Fensome 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Defender J Gregory 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Defender T Kilifin 2 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Centre Forward D Norris 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Midfield C Sloan 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 Midfield G Steel 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Defender A Teague 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 Central Defender R Turner 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Midfield S Wills 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Midfield R Wilson 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Midfield

AAppearances ONSub On OFFSub Off GGoal PScored Penalty PMMissed Penalty ASSAssist OGOwn Goal PSSaved Penalty YCYellow Card RCRed Card CSClean Sheet Bonus PLAPlayer of the Match

TODAY'S TEAMS

LANCASTER CITY MORPETH TOWN Amber/Black, Black, Blue, Blue, Blue Black

1 Sam Ashton 1 Dan Lowson 2 Lewis Fensome 2 Callum Williams 3 Will McGladdery 3 Stephen Forster 4 Niall Cowperthwaite 4 Ben Sayer 5 Andrew Teague Capt 5 Jeff Henderson Capt 6 Glenn Steel 6 Michael Turner 7 Paul Dawson 7 Jack Foalle 8 David Norris 8 Sam Hodgson 9 Matty Blinkhorn 9 Liam Henderson 10 Rhys Turner 10 Liam Noble 11 Tom Kilifin 11 Andrew Johnson

12 Ben Hudson 12 Carl Finnigan 14 Jacob Gregory 14 Jack Leonard 15 Paul Dugdale 15 Shabz Mohammed 16 Christian Sloan 16 Joe Walton 17 Simon Wills 17 Connor Oliver

Referee Alexander Beckett Assistant Joseph Wareham Assistant Joseph Hind