In association with:
ALAN McLEAN FCMA CGMA
Chartered Management Accountant
Blyth Spartans 4-1 Altrincham
Sunday 9th November
Attendance: 1,763
FA Cup First Round
“Written in the stars” was how Spartans midfielder Stephen Turnbull explained his side’s FA Cup run after the Fourth Qualifying Round win at Leek Town and after the 4-1 destruction of Conference side Altrincham who would argue with him?. However the win over the Robins didn’t come courtesy of any divine influence. Braces from Robbie Dale and Dan Maguire added style and quality to a team display of dogged determination as Tom Wade’s side ensured they would be in the Second Round draw on Sunday night.
With Croft Park expectant Spartans started well and while it would be easy to say they got in the faces of their opponents that would be underplaying the verve and style they displayed. Dale danced, Maguire and Rivers buzzed, Turnbull dictated and Spartans were in business. It was Dale who drew a foul from Robins full back and captain Shaun Densmore and referee Martin Coy had no option but to point to the spot.
Dale picked himself up and from the spot calmly rolled the ball to Stuart Coburn’s right, the Robins keeper choosing to go to his left. That goal kept up Dale’s record of scoring in every round of this season’s competition, although it was also his first goal for the club in the “proper” rounds of the FA Cup.
Spartans swarmed over their opponents, seemingly intent on suffocating any enthusiasm out of Lee Sinnott’s side. It worked and it was nearly two just eight minutes in as the recalled Dan Hawkins drove narrowly wide from the edge of the area after a smart lay off by Maguire.
The play finally settled down – it had to – and while Spartans dominated possession their visitors finally got into the game. They should have equalised midway through the half as former Leeds United academy striker got through on goal but dragged his shot wide of Peter Jeffries’ far post.
As if insulted by Altrincham’s chance Spartans hit straight back. Jarrett Rivers was causing problems for the Robins defence and his persistence forced an error from Gianluca Havern and that allowed Rivers a sight of goal. However his low drive stung the palms of Coburn and an offside flag denied Maguire the chance to tuck away the rebound.
The Robins had a great chance as the half made it’s way towards the half our mark. Winger James Lawrie crashed a low shot towards the far corner but Jeffries parried it away from goal although the ball fell to Densmore who struck the outside of the post.
The woodwork was struck again by the visitors as the half time whistle approached. Centre back Tom Marshall was afforded time to advance from his position at the heart of his team’s defence and smashed a thirty yard effort against Jeffries right hand upright. That let off meant Spartans went into the break a goal to the good as Croft Park roared it’s appreciation of their efforts.
The visitors made a change at the interval with the physical presence of Kyle Perry added to their frontline as he replaced Sean Williams. Within minutes of the restart Spartans were forced into a change of their own as Joel Dixon replaced the injured Alex Nicholson at right back.
The half was a slow burner although Spartans were comfortable in possession and dictated the pace of the game. Maguire and Turnbull tried their luck from distance but to no avail and the latter soon was the second Spartan to be replaced due to injury. Neal Hooks took over in centre midfield from Turnbull as the momentum stayed in Spartans favour.
So much so that they doubled their lead just after the hour mark. A wonderful one-two between Maguire and Matthew Wade allowed the former to curl a low shot off the inside of the near post and into the net. Maguire will take the plaudits for the goal but the role of the pace and spin on the pass from Wade can not be underplayed.
However rather than following the BBC’s instructions and getting carried away Spartans were pegged back. Substitute Perry ran on to a through ball and calmly chipped Jeffries to halve Spartans lead and give his side a route back into the game.
Far from letting nerves kick in – on the park at least – Spartans simply dusted themselves down and got on with it. They hassled and harried the Robins and once the ball was back in their possession they maintained it. With the clock ticking down a third goal would come.
Buddle strolled out of defence and curled a wonderful cross field pass to Dale. The winger’s touch was perfect and he strode towards the edge of the box. As he was faced with Densmore Croft Park knew what was coming, Dale’s team mates knew what was coming and the man himself knew what was coming. A chop inside his marker gave Dale a sight of goal and he rolled the ball to Coburn’s right to wrong foot the Robins custodian. Mercurial, marvellous and majestic, the pressure was eased in one fell swoop.
Croft Park vibrated to the noise and bounce of the Green Army and to their delight a fourth goal was to arrive just before the ninetieth minute. Dan Hawkins bulldozed his way through midfield and if strength had got him there it was sheer style that saw saw him release Maguire in on goal. The forward never looked like missing and he duly rolled the ball past Coburn to set the seal on another wonderful day in the remarkable FA Cup history of Blyth Spartans.
Teams
Spartans: Jeffries, Nicholson, Watson, Buddle, Hutchinson, Rivers, Hawkins, Turnbull, Maguire, Wade, Dale Subs:Hooks, Wearmouth, Dixon, Bell, Quinn, Parker, Harrison
Altrincham: Coburn, Densmore, Griffin, Moult, Havern, Leather, Richman, Reeves, Marshall, Williams Subs: Gillespie, Perry, Wilkinson, Swift, Parton, Cavanagh, Crowther
Referee: Martin Coy