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Nottingham Post
Nottingham Post
Sport
Leigh Curtis

Notts County march into FA Trophy fourth round with convincing Morpeth victory

Notts County proved too ruthless for Morpeth Town as a much-changed Magpies side secured a 3-0 victory at Craik Park.

Boss Neal Ardley made eight changes to the side which beat Stockport on Tuesday night, but that did not prevent Notts from cruising to a comfortable win.

Elisha Sam got the ball rolling after just five minutes when the striker collected a pass from some incisive wing play from Tom Walker, to sneak a shot inside the near post.

The Belgian forward should have doubled the lead midway through the half when he rose unmarked in the area, but could only plant his header wide of the post.

Morpeth, who included former Notts midfielder Liam Noble in their line-up, did have their moments, but Luke Pilling was never seriously troubled having come in for regular number one Sam Slocombe.

It was just a question as to whether Ardley's side could extend their lead and they did after the break when on-loan Sheffield United defender Sam Graham powered in a header from a corner.

And Notts made the game safe with the best goal of the game when having defended a corner, they produced a searingly quick counter-attack led by Sam who skipped a challenge near the halfway lline.

He fired a pass into the feet of Jimmy Knowles who marched 40 yards unchallenged to round the goalkeeper and fire into an empty net.

Morpeth certainly did not give up in trying to launch the most unlikeliest of comebacks, but Notts showed their determination to keep a clean sheet when Alex Lacey cleared a shot off the line at the death.

That ensured Notts kept their fifth clean sheet in six games and they now go into the hat for the draw for the fourth round on Monday.

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