HALF TIME REPORT: Blyth Spartans 0-0 Ilkeston FC

In association with:
ALAN McLEAN FCMA CGMA
Chartered Management Accountant
Blyth Spartans 0-0 Ilkeston FC
Evo-Stik Northern Premier League
Croft Park
Tuesday 3rd March 2015
Attendance:

The opening twenty minutes saw both sides playing the attractive brand of football they have become renowned for in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League. However, despite their endeavour, there was nothing to warm the hands of those inside Croft Park, other than some gentle applause for the energy on display from both sets of players.

The first real chance of the game came in the twenty fifth minute as Jarrett Rivers produced a wonderful reverse pass to play Alex Nicholson into the right hand side of the area. The former Newcastle United academy defender pulled the ball back to Dan Maguire but as the Robins defence expected the striker to fire a shot at goal, he stepped over it, allowing Michael Richardson to have an opening. The midfielder looked to set to put Spartans in front but was denied by a brilliant, last ditch tackle by the visitors captain Joe Maguire.

Ten minutes before the break it was Rivers again causing Kevin Wilson’s side problems. The winger was fed out wide by a brilliant pass from Stephen Turnbull and his first time cross just evaded the head of Dan Maguire as the striker looked set to hit his twentieth goal of the season.

As the half drew to a close Spartans threatened once more and it should be no surprise to anyone reading that it was Rivers who had the chance. The winger was fed into the right hand side of the area once more and managed to turn past a weak challenge from Jack Lane before forcing Jordan Smith to smother his low drive at the near post.

So the opening half ended goalless in a game that flattered to decieve. The visitors for all of their posession created little, Spartans with their chances failed to convert in front of a bitterly cold Croft Park faithful waiting to be warmed up.

Spartans: Thomson, Nicholson, Mullen, Parker, Hutchinson, Stp Turnbull, Richardson, Dale, Maguire, Wade, Rivers Subs not used: Wearmouth, Lynch, Stv Turnbull, Cummings, Hooks Goals