Blyth Spartans 2-2 Buxton

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ALAN McLEAN FCMA CGMA
Chartered Management Accountant

Blyth Spartans 2-2 Buxton
Saturday 19th January
Croft Park
Evo-Stik Northern Premier League
Attendance: 301

First goals of the season from Spartans duo Craig Hubbard and Shaun Utterson ensured that Paddy Atkinson’s side claimed a draw from their first home game in a month against Buxton, although it’s fair to say both sides will look at numerous chances to claim all three points. Atkinson was forced into one change from last week’s defeat at Frickley Athletic as the injured Joe Kendrick was replaced by the returning Damen Mullen.

The visitors had the first chance of the game as a wonderful Kevin Sandwith corner found Marc Roberts eight yards out but he couldn’t make the most of it as he headed over under pressure fro Robbie Dale. It would be Dale who would have the first chance of the game for Spartans as he collected a pass from the impressive Craig Hubbard but his twenty yard goalbound effort was blocked by Kallum Keane on the edge of the six yard box. Spartans would take the lead on twenty minutes and there was one recent trend that was thankfully ended as Hubbard become the first Spartans player to score from the penalty spot in five attempts. A Keane foul on Andy Jennings saw a spot kick awarded and Hubbard stepped up to succeed where Craig Farrell, Joe Kendrick, Robbie Dale and Phil Airey had failed and lashed the ball past Craig Dootson and into the left hand corner.

Five minutes later Spartans nearly doubled their lead as a Neal Hooks corner somehow found it’s way to Wayne Buchanan and Hubbard at the far post and the former West Auckland midfielder flicked the ball onto the far post and away. As the game progressed towards the interval it would turn increasingly scrappy with both sides struggling to get a foothold in the game. The visitors were looking dangerous from set pieces and it would be a long throw from Marc Roberts that would see Buxton get back on level terms. His throw from near the Spartans corner flag into the six yard box found striker Marc Reed unmarked and he flicked the ball past Conor Grant and that was enough to send the sides in level.

It would be an explosive start to the second half and one that would see an assistan referee’s flag deny Spartans the lead. A Shaun Utterson piledriver from the edge of the box crashed off the underside of the visitors’ bar. Andy Jennings was first to the ball and slotted the ball home but was denied by the flag. On the hour mark Buxton took the lead and it was the ever dangerous Reed who got both his and his team’s second goal with another header. A wonderful cross from the right hand side by Neil Stevens found Richie Slaughter caught under the ball and Reed looped a header back across Conor Grant and into the far corner of the net.

Buxton could and really should have extended their lead on the seventy minutes as substitute Kieran Lugsden broke into the right hand side of the box but his effort was blocked by Conor Grant and danger was cleared. It would be a miss that would be punished by Spartans in the grandest manner as they got an equaliser minutes later. Andy Jennings battled for the ball up front and found Robbie Dale on the edge of the box. The winger found the overlapping Shaun Utterson who toe poked the ball past the advancing Dootson for his first goal of the season and in the process set up a blockbuster last ten minutes.

Spartans substitutes Lee Mason and Dan Maguire combined for the next chances as the latter set up Mason but he failed to make sufficient contact on his left footed effort from ten yards but still forced Dootson into an outstanding stop. As the game ticked into injury time Robbie Dale came within a whisker of yet another wonder goal as he volleyed spectacularly from twenty yards but saw his shot smash off the underside of the bar and Maguire failed to latch onto the loose ball. Craig Hubbard nearly got a winner for Spartans as he latched onto a Buchanan flicked but toepoked over the bar under pressure from Dootson. It would be the visitors who had the final chance of the game as Reed was denied a spectacular third when Grant palmed away his overhead kick and ensured that the points were shared in an enthralling game.

Spartans Man of the Match: Craig Hubbard

Blyth Spartans: Grant, Utterson, Airey, Hubbard, Buchanan, Slaughter, Mullen(Maguire 77), Hooks(Mason 68), Jennings, McGorrigan(Berj 45), Dale Subs not used: Stanger, Pickering Scorer: Hubbard 20 pen, Utterson 77

Buxton: Dootson, Black, Sandwith, Istead, Keane, Roberts, Stevens, Thornhill(Morris 45), Reed, Maxfield,(Lugsden 52) Duncum strong> Subs not used: Haggerty Goalscorers Reed 42, 60

Referee: Mr Campbell