Saturday 21st August 2010
Attendance 406
BLYTH SPARTANS: Cunningham, Harrison, Cave, Tait (O’Mahoney), Swailes, Buchanan, Deverdics (Groves), Turnbull, Brayson, Smith, Dale (Alexander).
Subs not used – Graham & Morris
CORBY TOWN: MacKenzie, Pitham (West), Charlton, Dolman, Gulliver, Lavery, Hall (Frew), Towers, Jarman (Diggin), Mackey, Walker.
Subs not used – Gooding & Hope.
Spartans claimed their first point in three games, but they left it late before a crowd of 406 at Croft Park.
Blyth though enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges. Paul Brayson set up Nicky Deverdics, who fired straight at goalkeeper Chris MacKenzie.
Deverdics delivered a good free-kick and Chris Swailes shot into the side netting before Corby Town broke out of defence to give his side a 23rd-minute lead.
Asa Charlton cleared the ball deep to the far post where Richard Lavery beat Phil Cave and his header fell for Ben Mackey to find the net at the near post.
The home side nearly equalised before the interval as Wayne Buchanan picked out Turnbull, whose first-time shot from 35 yards almost caught out keeper MacKenzie.
Mackey had a golden opportunity to double Corby’s lead before manager Mick Tait made changes for the last half-hour and his move paid dividends.
Dan Groves was one of the substitutes and he was involved in the move which earned Blyth an equaliser.
Groves’ pass found Brayson, who rolled the ball back to Turnbull and he gave MacKenzie no chance.
Deep into stoppage time a neat move involving Turnbull and Brayson saw Groves go close from 18 yards.