Paul the psychic octopus sadly passed away last week but even if he had remained in good health and at the top of his football predicting powers it is unlikely that even he could have foreseen the dramatic events at the Corby versus Blyth Spartans game on Saturday.
The match however ebbed and flowed in a way the mystic mollusc, who was renowned for successfully predicting games in this year’s World Cup, would have recognised. Blyth built up a convincing three goal lead only to concede three within nine second half minutes but then went on to score once again and claim the three Blue Square Bet North points.
“We were awful in the first 20 minutes, which was surprising because we were really up for it before kickoff,” commented Spartans’ manager Mick Tait.
“We were lucky to be getting away with it still being 0-0 in that opening period. We struggled with clearing the ball and that handed Corby the momentum. After that however we went on to dominate the half,” he added.
The visitors took the lead after half an hour when left back Phil Cave fired home from 35 yards.
Tait said, “Phil’s been threatening to score in recent games and this was a beauty. Then John Alexander put us two up with another scorcher and Neil Hooks added to the tally on the stroke of half time – again with another rocket shot. All three finishes were exceptional.
“I said to the players at the break that we must avoid starting the second half like we did the first and they all agreed, having known what we did wrong in the first half but then we went out and did exactly the same! Only this time we got punished.”
Tait blamed defensive lapses for his side surrendering their substantial lead.
“Two unmarked headers gave Corby their first two goals and then we were turned easily for the third. All three goals were preventable. We were under the cosh but it was our own doing. But then our character came through as we’ve been showing over the last few weeks. I knew they couldn’t keep on at us like they did at the start of the second half. We just needed to stay resolute and believe we couldn’t keep playing as badly as we were.”
Paul Brayson headed what turned out to be the decisive goal with 20 minutes left to play and, along with the Port of Blyth Player of the Month John Alexander, he could have added to the Spartans’ tally late on.
Tait will be hoping that midfielder Michael Tait will have recovered from a virus which laid him low on Wednesday of last week in time for the visit of Boston to Croft Park this Saturday.
The Blyth boss believes his side has every chance of extending its three match winning streak.
“It will be really tough but we’ve got our spirit back and we must have gained something from Saturday with the way we fought back from losing a three goal lead. Most teams would have crumbled at that – and maybe we would have done too a few weeks ago,” he suggested.
With 8th placed Blyth on cracking form, and with 2nd placed Boston the visitors, it doesn’t take a soothsayer – octopus or otherwise, to predict an enthralling contest.
Blyth host Harrogate Town on Tuesday 9th November kick off 7.45pm.