It was a game for aficionados rather than arrivistes.
The goalless draw between Blyth Spartans and Boston United at Croft Park on Saturday questioned what those in Boston’s namesake community in Massachusetts ,or indeed the rest of America, might conclude about ‘soccer’ – that a game with no score is, by definition, a bore. It can, in fact, be entertaining, and indeed enthralling, as evidenced by this Blue Square North Bet fixture.
Spartans’ manager Mick Tait supported the notion, “There aren’t that many good games with no goals but this was an exception and, judging from the crowd’s reaction at the end, they would agree too.”
“We put a big emphasis on starting strongly after having failed to do so in the game against Corby last week, and it worked,” he added. “We did well early in the match and had some decent opportunities as well as having a lot of control of the ball around Boston’s box – more than they did around ours.”
Blyth indeed took the game to their visitors in an even first half which saw striker John Alexander coming close on two occasions with Boston threatening in turn as the play switched from end to end.
The Spartans pressed on with more vigour, with right winger Liam O’Mahoney prominent, in the final ten minutes of the ninety but failed to break down Boston’s resolute defence.
“It was an even game, overall,” thought Tait. “We played more football than them but our problem, once more, was in the final third of the pitch where we lacked creativity and craft. But you have to bear in mind that Boston are a solid side and it was never going to be easy. But we pushed on towards the end, trying to win the game, despite there being a danger of getting caught on the break. Overall I was pleased with the draw, they were a bit stronger physically but no better than us technically.”
Reluctant to praise individuals in a match characterised by his teams’ admirable work ethic Tait did however highlight his central defenders Chris Swailes and Wayne Buchanan who dealt Boston’s Davidson and fellow strikers with commendable focus and tenacity.
Tait hopes to have striker Robbie Dale fully fit for the visit of Harrogate to Croft Park this Tuesday and sees no reason why his team can’t extend their four match unbeaten run. However midfielder Michael Tait is likely to miss out again with a virus.