In association with:
ALAN McLEAN FCMA CGMA
Chartered Management Accountant
Blyth Spartans 2-1 Barwell
Saturday 28th December
Croft Park
Evo-Stik Northern Premier League
Att: 355
Everybody enjoys Christmas don’t they? Well Spartans striker Dan Maguire clearly loves it. The frontman crashed home his fifth and sixth goals of December to ensure his side recovered from the Boxing Day defeat at Whitby Town with a determined performance against Barwell. The win was the third time this season Spartans have taken three points despite being at a numerical disadvantage after midfielder Paul Robinson was dismissed in the first half for a clash with Barwell full back Jack Edwards.
Picking through the first half for highlights of this game is a lot like picking through the scraps left on the Christmas turkey carcass. You know there isn’t much and what is there isn’t really worth the effort. A desperately lacklustre first period saw two real chances created, one for each side. On seven minutes Robbie Dale’s quick free kick found Paul Robinson twenty five yards from goal. The former Whitley Bay man struck the ball first time with his right foot and despite it seemingly heading past the post Liam Castle dived full length to parry the ball to safety.
The increasingly frozen Croft Park crowd had to wait until ten minutes before the break for the next chance it was to fall to the visitors. The impressive Nigel Julian cut in from his left wing position and curled a right foot effort just past Michal Misiewicz’s far post. The final action of the half saw Paul Robinson sent off after he clashed with Barwell left back Jack Edwards, a decision that provoked an angry response from the Spartans faithful.
In a lightening quick start to the second half that was the polar opposite of what had been endured in the first period Spartans took the lead within three minutes of the restart. Robbie Dale released the overlapping Joe Kendrick into the left hand channel and the Irishman whipped in a vicious cross. Castle got a weak hand to the ball and that left Dan Maguire to finish well from the edge of the box, although it must be said that the striker made a tough looking finish look effortless.
One could have become two minutes later as Damen Mullen released Maguire in on goal but the heavy nature of the pitch prevented the striker from getting a clean touch in front of him and the chance was wasted as Castle smothered his effort. Maguire was in red hot form and after being released in on goal again – this time by Danny Parker – he lifted the ball over the advancing Castle only for Jamie Hood to clear as Maguire waited for the ball to drop to him.
Those pair of missed chances cost Spartans as Barwell snatched an equaliser that seemed against the run of play. Substitute Daniel Spencer fired a low effort from the edge of the area that bounced in front of Misiewicz. The Spartans keeper could only parry on to the post and the loose ball ran to midfielder Thomas Weale who suitably applied the finish.
If there is one accusation that can’t be thrown at Spartans this season it is that they lack heart and passion. They showed that in abundance again in the closing stages and it should have been no surprise that it was that man Maguire who scored a quite frankly wonderful winner. Joe Kendrick fired a precise pass into Maguire twenty yards from goal. His first touch was impeccable and allowed him to drive at Jamie Hood who forced Maguire on to his left foot but that didn’t prevent him crashing home goal number fourteen of the season from the edge of the area.
There was still time for one last chance and it was to produce a miss of the season contender. Hood struck a rising effort that smashed off the crossbar and fell to Luke Barlone ten yards from goal. With the Green Army holding their heads in their hands the striker dinked the ball over the crossbar with an empty goal to hit. A rare stroke of luck for Spartans but luck that their commitment, determination and unquestionable spirit more than earned.
So that’s 2013 over and done with for Spartans and the new year opens with Stocksbridge Park Steels acting as first foot at Croft Park on New Year’s Day.
Spartans Man of the Match: Dan Maguire
Blyth Spartans: Misiweicz, Buddle, Parker, Purewal, Kendrick, Hooks, Hubbard, Mullen(Watson 78), Dale, Maguire, Robinson Subs not used: Wade, Grant, Wearmouth, Horner Scorers: Maguire 48 and 85
Barwell Castle, Lower, Edwards, Hadland, J Hood, Weale, Brehon, S Hadland(Kirk 70), Barlone, Griffith(Spencer 45), JulienSubs not used O’Connor, Collett Goalscorers Weale 72
Referee: Mr Liddle