Ex-top flight striker plays for Sunday league side

A former Premier League striker turned out for a Sunday league side after what was described as "a joke down the local pub".

Former Wales international Steve Morison is currently the manager of National League side Sutton United.

After Sutton's fixture was postponed, Morison was recruited to represent Hartwell Forest FC Reserves in Northamptonshire.

The amateur team's manager, Jay Gurney, revealed the ex-professional turned up without football boots so had to borrow his.

The Nene Sunday League match against Cardigan Arms, which was a cup fixture, ended 3-3 and Morison scored two goals.

Morison said it was "good fun".

The 41-year-old retired in 2019 having played for Norwich City, Millwall, Stevenage and Northampton.

He played in each of English football's top six divisions, scoring 190 times in more than 600 appearances.

Morison played "alright" but was "a bit Bambi on ice" in the first half, Gurney said.

He said "it kind of just started off as a joke" when he asked about Morison's availability at The Old Crown in Ashton.

Morison said: "The guys down the pub are great and it was nice to help Jay out."

However, he said there was "a lot to discuss in the pub this week" about the manager's decision making, after he substituted Morison with 15 minutes to go with Hartwell leading 3-1.

One of Morison's goals was a penalty kick and he said he "felt more pressure taking that penalty because I knew every single person there wanted me to miss".

He said: "Luckily I scored because I don't think I would have been able to live that one down."

Asked whether he could recruit Morison for another match, Gurney told BBC Radio Northampton: "I'm sure we can work our magic again on a Friday or Saturday night."

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