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Blyth Spartans 2-1 Grantham Town
Saturday 7 September
Croft Park
Evo-Stik Northern Premier League
Att: 429
A late Robbie Dale penalty ensured that the forward was Spartans match winner for the second consecutive game, sealing a win over Grantham Town in front of an excellent Non-League Day crowd at Croft Park in the process. The visitors went into half time a goal to the good but it was a much improved second half show from Tom Wade’s side who won the game thanks to goals from Dan Maguire and the late Dale spot kick.
Spartans were dealt a late blow as Port of Blyth Player of the Month for August Arjun Purewal was pulled out of the starting line up due to injury. Phil Airey replaced the former Whitby Town man with Nathan Buddle moving to centre back to partner Dan Parker. There was a return to the bench for Dean Holmes after the winger suffered an injury in Spartans first home game of the season against Trafford.
It was the visitors who had the first chance of the game inside ninety seconds as a long ball forward released Remaine Graham in on goal. Despite looking suspiciously offside the striker drove towards Conor Grant’s goal but rolled the ball past the far post. It took Spartans some time to settle into the game and they didn’t create their first chance until twenty minutes as a quick Robbie Dale throw in released Craig Hubbard into the area. The midfielder played a near perfect ball across the front of Dan Hatstead’s goal with no Spartans players able to get a touch.
Hubbard was at the heart of the action two minutes later and he should have given his side the lead. A cross to the far post from Joe Kendrick found Hubbard eight yards out and he volleyed over when a header may have been the better option. That was a miss that the Gingerbreads punished in the grand manner, although it was a goal that was handed to them with a slice a fortune. A long clearance by Paul Lister saw Nathan Buddle attempt to deal with it on the edge of the Spartans box, however the former Hartlepool United defender could only look on helplessly as the ball flicked off his foot and looped over Grant and into his own net.
Graham should have doubled the visitors lead five minutes later as he was released into the right hand side of the Spartans box only to screw his shot side of Grant’s near post. That miss was nearly punished by Dan Maguire as he latched onto a wonderful driven pass from Phil Airey but Hatstead produced an excellent reaction save to Maguire’s rising shot. The last chance of the half fell to Spartans as Robbie Dale curled a twenty yard free kick narrowly past the angle of bar and post, his time would come in the second half.
Again it took Spartans time to settle and the Gingerbreads could have extended their lead five minutes into the second period. An inch perfect cross to the far post by the impressive Nathan Watson found striker Gregg Smith and he forced Grant into a good save with his feet. On the hour mark Spartans came within inches of getting back on even terms and it was the attacking trio of Wearmouth, Dale and Maguire at the heart of the chance. An incisive pass from Dale released Maguire into the inside right channel and he attempted an audacious finish with the outside of his right boot. That effort went just passed the far post and the onrushing Wearmouth who just failed to get a decisive touch.
Maguire had better luck five minutes later although there was nothing fortunate about the goal that got Spartans back on even terms. A free kick was played into the Gingerbreads area by Kendrick and the loose ball found it’s way to Hubbard. The midfielder held off a challenge and rolled the ball back to Maguire on the edge of the box. The forward took one touch before lashing the ball into the top right hand corner of Hatstead’s net to raise the majority of those inside Croft Park to their feet and it was game on.
With fifteen minutes left only some desperate defending by the visitors prevented Wade’s side taking the lead. A driven Dale cross into the box caused havoc and saw Maguire and Wearmouth denied by brave blocks when a goal seemed almost certain. The second half wasn’t all about Spartans though and the Gingerbreads always seemed dangerous on the break. Some hesitancy in the Spartans back four was almost punished by Michael Towey but the midfielder only found the stand from ten yards.
While most of the plaudits Spartans have received this season have been for their quick passing their winning goal was thanks to a more route one style of football. A long punt up front by Grant was flicked on by Dale and that released Maguire in on goal. The striker managed to get to the ball ahead of Hatstead only for the Gingerbreads keeper to halt his run illegally and referee Gordon pointed to the spot for Spartans fifth penalty of the season. It was Robbie Dale who stepped up and he made no mistake lashing the ball straight down the middle to seal another three points for Spartans.
It was a game of two halves with the visitors on top during the first period but Spartans upped the tempo during the second and probably just about deserved their win. The irrepressible Maguire was a constant thorn in the side for the Gingerbreads and between him, Dale and Wearmouth Spartans will cause a lot of problems for teams in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League this season. Next up is a trip to Droylsden on Tuesday night before welcoming AFC Fylde to Croft Park next Saturday in the FA Cup.
Everyone at the club wishes to thank the Green Army and everyone associated with Grantham Town for ensuring that Non-League Day was celebrated at Croft Park in a marvellous fashion. Your efforts are massively appreciated by everyone at Blyth Spartans, thank you.
Spartans Man of the Match: Dan Maguire
Blyth Spartans: Grant, Airey, Parker, Buddle, Kendrick, Mullen, Hubbard(Hooks 72), Wade, Wearmouth, Dale, Maguire Subs not used: Watson, Cummings, Nolan, Holmes Scorers: Maguire 66, Dale 88 pen
Grantham Town Hatstead, Purcicoe(Keane 53), Ridley, Miekle, Lister, Nwadike, Watson, Towsey, Smith(King 72), Graham, Piliero(Lewis 62) Subs not used Smith Goalscorers Buddle o.g 29
Referee: Barry Gordon