In association with:
ALAN McLEAN FCMA CGMA
Chartered Management Accountant
Blyth Spartans 0-7 Whitby Town
Monday 21st April
Croft Park
Evo-Stik Northern Premier League
Att: 501
The curtain was brought down on Spartans home season as an under-strength side were thrashed by a rampant Whitby Town. Prolific finishing from the likes of former Spartans Craig Farrell, Lee Mason and Graeme Armstrong ensured Darren Williams’ side completed the league double after their 2-1 Boxing Day win at the Turnbull Ground.
Ahead of tomorrow night’s Northumberland Senior Cup Final Tom Wade took the chance to rest several players to help deal with the task of playing a second game in two days. Full debuts were handed to goalkeeper Niall Harrison and centre back Ross Phillips whilst midfielder Ryan Hutchinson was given a full debut after appearing as a substitute in the draw at Matlock Town two weeks ago.
Harrison was soon into the action on five minutes as he denied Kevin Burgess from point blank range. From the resulting corner the debutant could do nothing as Tom Portas struck an impressive volley as he met a Lee Mason corner and made a difficult chance look easy. Spartans gradually found their feet and Shane Bland was tested by Paul Robinson and Ash Davis in quick succession but was up to the challenge saving well from both.
Nine minutes before the half time whistle the visitors doubled their lead from the penalty spot. Graeme Armstrong was played in on goal and was adjudged to have been tripped by Harrison. His fellow former Spartans striker Craig Farrell stepped up and produced a clinical finish from the spot crashing into Harrison’s top right hand corner. Two became three on the stroke of half time as Armstrong got in on the act producing a calm finish from ten yards after Ian Watson had blocked his first effort.
Six minutes into the second half and another former Spartan got on the scoresheet. Lee Mason scored the goal of the game as he smashed a twenty yard left footed volley that flew just inside the near post. Ross Phillips almost grabbed a debut goal for Spartans as he met a Paul Robinson corner but could only head over the bar at the far post.
Joe Kendrick came close with twenty minutes left as he linked up with Arran Wearmouth but the left back could only fire into the side netting from a narrow angle. Just a minute later Town has their fifth as Farrell’s neat flick found substitute Adam Rundle and the winger curled an effort from the edge of the box that Harrison got a hand to but couldn’t prevent it sailing into his far corner.
Dan Maguire and Dean Holmes linked up with five minutes on the clock but couldn’t get Spartans on the scoresheet. Holmes was sent in on goal from Maguire but saw his low effort saved well by Bland. Two late goals for the visitors put the seal on a miserable day for Spartans with Farrell and Armstrong both getting their second goals.
A Snaith cross from the left dropped perfectly for Farrell who rolled home from eight yards and then as the game entered injury time Armstrong headed home from around the same distance from a Zak Bogey cross from the left.
Spartans now head to St James Park tomorrow night for the Northumberland Senior Cup Final with Newcastle United Under 21s.
Spartans Man of the Match: Arjun Purewal
Blyth Spartans: Harrison, Purewal, Watson(Kendrick 61), Phillips, Parker(Wearmouth 68), Cummings, Robinson, Hutchinson, Davis(Maguire 73), Mullen, Holmes Subs not used: Wade, Bonket Scorers: None
Whitby Town: Bland, Hassan, Robinson, Burgess, Pell, McTiernan, Portas(Snaith 61), Mason(Bogey 73), Farrell, Armstrong, Mulligan(Rundle 66) Subs not used Bullock, Campbell Goalscorers Portas 6, Farrell 36 and 88, Armstrong 44 and 90, Mason 53, Rundle 71
Referee: Mr Edwards