After losing 3-1 at home with the opposition goals coming from a ten man Eastwood Town side Blyth manager Mick Tait said his side had “come off the rails”.
However, in the dressing room afterwards, he wasn’t railing at his players – preferring to seek considered and positive outcomes from the defeat.
“We all had a good honest chat after the game, it’s no good being disruptive” he said.
“Everyone left feeling better for what was a constructive debate where they all had the chance to chip in and suggest how we can improve. We need now to push on. New teams like ours often come off the rails a bit and that has happened to us in the last month or so. We need to be able to pull together better when things go wrong.”
Blyth had opportunities to score in the first half with Paul Brayson narrowly missing on two occasions and Budtz in the visitors’ goal blocking well from Josh Gillies. The Spartans efforts were hindered when midfielder Chris McCabe was stretchered off with ankle ligament damage on the half hour.
Blyth continued to create more of the chances after the break with Turnbull, Harrison and Brayson all going close to breaking the deadlock following the dismissal of Markell Bailey in the opening minutes.
It was very much against the run of play when Craig McAughtie scored for Eastwood with 61 minutes played.
It took Tait aback.
“I couldn’t see us possibly losing the game up to that point. We created so many chances and were looking comfortable and I didn’t think for one minute that the game would end up as it did. The sending off inspired them, they dug in, worked harder and hit us on the break several times.”
Nevertheless the nature of the opening goal annoyed Tait. “There was no danger. They had a free kick miles out but we failed to deal with it. Mark Bell came to punch it and missed but, to be fair, it was a ball straight at him and it’s hard to judge the flight and pace of the ball in those circumstances. In addition our defence dropped back too soon – not being brave enough to hold the line.
“That free kick cost us the game”
Blyth conceded two more goals before Brayson pulled one back following a surging run from captain, and Man of the Match, Gareth Williams.
Reflecting on the game Tait identified two areas where his squad needs to improve.
“We can give the top teams a good run for their money but we’re just not strong enough to really compete with them,” he suggested.
“We have players who are as good as any in the league but we’re lacking physical strength and experience. We do have some with those qualities but a couple of the younger lads are finding it difficult to adapt to this level of football. We have a bit of an issue with how we react when we concede too. We can look very negative when that happens and the body language on the pitch is not good. I’ve noticed this over recent weeks and we really need to be able to take going a goal down on the chin, roll our sleeves up and fight our way back.”
Instilling a better work ethic would certainly be beneficial to his side’s chances but the availability of players in the forthcoming weeks is also a matter of concern.
“Losing McCabe for several weeks is a big blow” said Tait.
“He is Blyth through and through. Then there is Robbie Dale who is recovering from his knee operation who, like McCabe, is both experienced and totally committed to the club. These are the kinds of lads who would do anything for Blyth and that is the kind of spirit which some of the others need to adopt.”
Adrian Webster played his last game for Blyth on Saturday before emigrating to Australia while Ian Graham and John Brackstone are unlikely to feature for a few more weeks.
Tait is thinking of looking to add to his depleted squad possibly before Saturday’s FA Trophy game at home to Stafford Rangers. Following Byth’s recent FA Cup exit at the hands of AFC Telford Tait is looking forward to the game.
“We blew it against Telford and this competition offers us the chance to put together a good run.”
It also provides an opportunity to get his derailed side back on track.