In association with:
ALAN McLEAN FCMA CGMA
Chartered Management Accountant
Blyth Spartans 0-0 Whitley Bay
Tuesday 13th November
Northumberland Senior Cup Quarter Final
Croft Park
Attendance: 621
Newly installed Spartans Manager Paddy Atkinson endured a frustrating night as Spartans and Whitley Bay failed to break the deadlock in one hundred and twenty minutes of football meaning they must do it all again in a replay at Hillheads Park.
After picking up a knock in the 2-2 draw at Grantham Town, Spartans striker Ryan McGorrigan was unable to add to his three goals in four games and was replaced by Joe Kendrick in the starting lineup. Robbie Dale partnered Phil Airey up front and Shaun Vipond took his place on the bench after missing the draw with the Gingerbreads. The Seahorses named former Spartans striker Ash Davis in their starting lineup along with left back James Novak who almost joined the club during the summer.
The first chance of the game fell to Spartans and it came on the break as Dale charged away from midfield and played the ball into Tom Berj. The former Sunderland RCA midfield man took one touch and rifled an effort goalwards that crashed off the Bay crossbar and Airey just headed the rebound narrowly over under pressure from two defenders. Ten minutes later and it was the visitors who would rattle the woodwork as Paul Chow struck a wonderful long range effort at goal and only the fingertips of Conor Grant prevented a goal as he tipped onto the bar.
Croft Park came alive midway through the first half and it was referee Paul Curry who was centre of attention as he denied Spartans a penalty kick when Bay defender Anderson seemed to upend Airey as they battled for the ball. However Curry rejected all pleas for a spot kick and play carried on. However the referee was called into action five minutes before half time as he gave a yellow card to Chris Reid for a harsh tackle on Robbie Dale. The last chance of the opening period came when a twenty yard free kick by Bay striker Lee Kerr was superbly saved by Grant in the Spartans goal.
Half time saw Atkinson forced into one change as Tom Berj limped off and was replaced with the returning Shaun Vipond. It would be the Northern League side who started the better as full back Novak drove into the Spartans area after being played in by Davis but Grant saved bravely at the feet of the former Bedlington Terriers man. Both sides were enduring a frustrating night in front of goal with players lashing well over and genuine chances being few and far between. An audacious overhead kick from Seahorses man Reid dribbled wide of Grant goal as extra time seemed inevitible. However with five minutes left came a golden chance as Spartans man of the match Neal Hooks chipped into Vipond and his left footed effort was superbly saved by Hayes in the Bay net. So with the scorers untroubled it would be thirty minutes of extra time.
A first fifteen minute period saw both sides looking nervous and not wanting to give away too much as the game turned scrappy. It would take until a minute before the extra time interval for a real goalscoring chance when a Hooks corner saw Spartans substitute Craig Farrell and Seahorses striker Kerr battling for the header. A both players challenged the ball flew goalwards but was cleared off the line and away for a corner that was easily cleared.
A much more hectic second period of extra time followed with both sides going close. Seahorses substitute Michael McMullen almost set the game alight within seconds of coming on as he beat Spartans home debutant and dragged a shot wide of Grant’s post. With eight minutes left Farrell and strike partner Airey combined and the former Newcastle United man forced Hayes into a sprawling save as he parried the ball to safety. In the very last minute of the one hundred and twenty Spartans thought they had won it. Airey and Shaun Utterson combined to find Farrell who span his marker and curled a twenty yard effort inches wide of the far post.
So both sides will have to do it all again on a date that will be confirmed as soon as possible. Keep an eye on the website for further details.
Spartans Man of the Match: Neal Hooks
Blyth Spartans: Grant, Utterson, Kendrick, Berj(Vipond 45), Buchanan, Donnelly, Mason(Stanger 62), Hooks, Airey, Mullen, Dale(Farrell 76) Subs not used: Maguire, Mellish Scorer: none
Whitley Bay:Hayes, Brooking(Robinson 52), Novak, Anderson, Reid, Scroggins(McFarlane 78), Fawcett, Davis, Kerr, Chow, Fairley(McMullen 108) Subs not used: C Smith, B Smith Goalscorers none
Referee:Paul Curry