‘It’s what will keep us in this league’ - Morpeth boss on importance of home form after statement win

On-loan Salford City man Alfie Henderson netted the decisive goal inside eight minutes on his first start, and was an example of the plethora of young stars on display for the Highwaymen.

Morpeth ended their three-game losing run with a 1-0 win against the promotion hopefuls, climbing out of the drop zone as a result.

“It’s nice to get the year off to a start now,” said Lynch post-match. 

“Three losses on the bounce, and then you’re playing one of the best teams in the league, but we came out today, and we were on it. 

“That first half is probably the best I’ve seen in a very long time, and no disrespect to FC United, but if we were four or five up at half-time, nobody could have complained.

“Six of our starting eleven were under 21 years old, but they brought the energy. We haven’t had that in the last few games, but we were electric today, both in and out of possession.”

Being the most northerly team in the division, making Craik Park a fortress is a key focus for the Morpeth boss going into the remainder of the season. 

The Highwaymen had won five of their last six in front of their home fans to close out 2025, drawing the other, but were well beaten by Stockton Town on New Year’s Day. 

Having picked up just one win in 13 on the road so far this season, Lynch acknowledges that it’ll be difficult to turn that stat around, and was therefore pleased that his side could get one in the win column at home against a title-challenging FC United side.

“It’s what’s going to keep us in this league,” he remarked when asked about maintaining good results at home. 

“It’s harder for us to flip that away form. Stockton was men against boys, and it could have been today too, but our young lads stood up today and showed what young players can bring in terms of energy and intensity.

“We should have had more, but I’m delighted with a 1-0 win.”