Ruthless County cruise home

NOTTS County’s impressive recent form continued as they strode into the last 32 of the FA Trophy at the expense of NPL Premier Division outfit Morpeth Town.

- Ross Jackson

The Magpies were ruthlessly efficient, with Elisha Sam, Sam Graham and Jimmy Knowles finding the back of the net as the National League team put up with a heavy pitch and stubborn opposition to progress with relative ease.

Sam got the visitors off to the perfect start on five minutes as he cut inside from the left of the area to drag a shot in at the near post.

Their lower league hosts rallied after that initial shock and steadied themselves, but Notts remained aggressive and incisive on quick forays forward.

Andrew Johnson drilled straight at Notts keeper Luke Pilling, with a floated delivery causing indecision from the Notts stopper later in the half, as an opening period of few chances ended with the hosts very much in the game.