Jordan Parsons reports on the FA Vase upset that saw favourties Hereford, outplayed and losing 4-1 to Morpeth Town FC.
Morpeth Town were the giant killers in their 4-1 win over Hereford with goals from Chris Swaines, Sean Taylor, Luke Carr and Shaun Bell.
It is the first time Morpeth have won the FA Vase, and they did it in style. At the grand age of 45 years old Chris Swaines became the oldest man of the match, player, goal scorer and winner of a final at Wembley.
Hereford will be annoyed they couldn’t keep their early form running after they went 1-0 up from a Purdie goal after just 90 seconds.
Hereford manager Peter Beadle believed his squad haven’t been; “clinical enough at killing teams off this season, and it showed again today. We huffed and puffed in the second half, we just weren’t good enough.
“We have been far better and that’s why it hurts so much, it has certainly put Hereford back on the map. The main aim was to get out of the league and we achieved that, but we wanted a win today.”
Hereford will be disappointed they couldn’t win the Vase at the home of football in front of 20 thousand fans, but they will be looking on to next season after securing promotion to the Southern League.
Morpeth Town boss, Nicky Gray was loving the support shown by the fans: “Huge following from the fans, I think we showed great character to get back into the game and played in the right spirits.”
45 not out
However, Gray was quick to mention that this is just the beginning; “the team needs to build on this for next season and I didn’t think we would even get to the Vase final let alone win it.”
Swailes was a key part of the team’s performance, and Gray was piling the praise on the central defender; “He’s a person who can lead, he’s 45 and it shows hunger and desire; he is an inspiriation to everyone and he says play each game as if it was your last.
“No one at any level deserves this more than him, he is someone who has passion through his veins.”
Gray believed his team were better over the 90 minutes and that the second goal was crucial to them keeping their heads; “I said could we get the second goal, cos then we have something to hold onto.
“At 3-1 the game wasn’t over, thought we were the better team in the second half. If it went to 3-2 the game changes just like that.
“Today’s final was better than yesterday’s FA Cup final, it was more entertaining. Football as non-league – I love it.”
Gray will be looking to build on this result next season and challenge for the league title as his team go back to the north east rightful winners.