Blyth Spartans manager Mick Tait believes that his side paid the penalty for two successful spot kicks by his captain Paul Brayson in the game at Eastwood Town on Saturday.
The Spartans won the game 2-0 with Brayson converting from the spot in each half.
“We actually should have had a third pen when Robbie Dale was brought down in the box but I think that, because it was in the final minute and the ref had already awarded two, he chose to ignore it,” commented Tait.
Tait was extremely pleased with his side’s return to form.
“It was a good performance showing the effort and passion we had a few weeks ago,” he said. “We were very solid and although one win doesn’t mean to say everything is fine I hope we’ve put the last couple of weeks, when I’ve had to trim the squad, behind us.
Brayson was about to head for goal in the 23rd minute when he was dragged down. He then scored with ease to put the visitors ahead.
Scoring the first goal was, in Tait’s opinion, all important. “It relaxed the lads no end to go in front. We are a different side when we go one up. Eastwood have had some good results recently so it was significant for us.”
The second half saw the home side putting Blyth under a degree of pressure but mainly resorting to long balls. Brayson extended Blyth’s lead in the 83rd minute after having been brought down as he advanced in to the box.
Tait was quick to praise all areas of his side.
“Mark Gillespie, making his debut on loan from Carlisle, did really well. His command of the penalty box was superb, he was quick off his line when necessary, and he caught most of the crosses he needed to deal with. Our back four were outstanding with Wayne Buchanan in particular winning every header while Brayson and John Alexander up front ran their socks off.”
Former Darlington player Dan Groves (pictured below) filled in at right back with Callum Morris having to visit a sick relative in Ireland. “I’ve known Dan since he was 12 years old so I know what he can give us. He’s played in that position a couple of times with Darlington and he’s been very unfortunate not to feature for us much this season to date so I had no hesitation in naming him to play,” Tait commented.
The Blyth boss had this to say about the singing of Gillespie, “I was in touch with Gregg Abbott at Carlisle and he said he had a young keeper on his books who needed games under his belt and with the demise of their reserve side he was more than happy for Mark to come and play for us.”
Tait, once again, preferred to start the game with Liam O’Mahoney in the place of long serving player Robbie Dale. “”We all know that Robbie is a great player and a talented lad who is Blyth through and through but I’ve needed to freshen things up a bit and Liam, who has been busting a gut to play, has done well. However I’d no hesitation about bringing Robbie on when Liam tired.”
Blyth host struggling Hyde this weekend seeking to build on Saturday’s victory.