Warrington Town manager on Morpeth Town FA Trophy clash

Since their 2-2 draw at Mickleover on Saturday, Paul Carden has left his post as manager to join AFC Telford United and Mark Beesley has stepped up from his assistant manager to take the hotseat.

Now, his first game in charge is on the horizon – an FA Trophy second round clash with Morpeth Town at Cantilever Park tomorrow.

Mark Beesley takes charge of his first game as Warrington Town manager on Saturday. Picture by John Hopkins

Both sides have been fighting at different ends of the Northern Premier League Premier Division table, with Yellows in the play-off hunt while the Highwaymen battle to move away from relegation danger.

After a nightmare start, the Northumbrians have been improving under the management of Craig Lynch and have lost just once in their past eight games in all competitions – an FA Cup replay loss to National League North side York City.

As first assignments come, it is certainly a tricky one and given the one-sided nature of the recent history between the two sides – Morpeth won both meetings in the curtailed 2019-20 season – Beesley knows his players need to be at it.

“Morpeth have got some good players. We’ve played them a couple of times over the years and they’ve beaten us comfortably,” he said.

“It’s up to us to try and get a game plan ready for them. I’ve watched them once this season and they’re starting to get their act together.

“I think they’ll be a force to be reckoned with for the rest of the season – I wouldn’t rule them out for a late charge at the play-offs.

“We’ve got to be at our best to win this game.”

Town have beaten lower-ranked Hebburn Town and Chasetown in their two FA Trophy games this season as part of their current run of eight unbeaten games in all competitions.

Luke Duffy scores during the first-round win over Chasetown. Picture by Darren Murphy

There may be no league points at stake on Saturday, but a victory will earn more prize money and the chance of an enticing draw in the next round as well as building their blossoming momentum.

“Every game is as important as the last, whether it’s a Trophy game or not,” the new manager said.

“We’re on a good run and we need to continue – when you’re on good runs, you need to fight even harder to stay on them.

“That’s whether it’s an FA Trophy game, a local cup game or whatever, it breeds confidence.

“We’re starting to get bodies back and all of a sudden, there’s competition for places that’s going to be healthy.

“It’s up to each and every player to earn the right to play every week.”

Midfielder Jay Harris is available after missing Saturday's game through suspension but will have to be assessed for a knock he has been carrying.

Fellow midfielder Ben Hough and strikers Josh Amis and Jordan Buckley are also fitness doubts, but Matty McDonald could be fit to feature.

Having been limited to just one substitute appearance so far by a hamstring injury, the midfielder was an unused substitute at Mickleover but has been training this week.