In association with:
ALAN McLEAN FCMA CGMA
Chartered Management Accountant
Stourbridge 0-1 Blyth Spartans
Evo-Stik Northern Premier League
War Memorial Ground
Saturday 7th March 2015
Attendance:
The first danger came from the hosts in the eigthh minute as a vicious, inswinging corner from the right by Glassboys captain Leon Broadhurst found the head of Kayelden Brown but the winger could only direct his effort just wide of Nick Thomson’s far post from eight yards out.
Spartans were awarded a penalty with their first serious attack in the thirteenth minute. A Ryan Hutchinson ball over the top sent Dan Maguire through and the little striker collided with Stourbridge keeper Dean Coleman. Robbie Dale stepped up to take the spot kick but produced a carbon copy of his penalty miss against Ilkeston on Tuesday by firing well over the bar.
A lucky deflection almost handed Spartans the lead on nineteen minutes as Dan Maguire found a little bit of room on the edge of the Glassboys area. He was given time to get a shot away and it took a wicked deflection off Will Richards before dribbling agonisingly wide of the right hand upright.
Spartans did take the lead in the twenty second minute with a wonderful free kick from Stephen Turnbull. A foul was awarded for a pull on Maguire by Tyrone Williams and that gave Turnbull the chance to deceive the hosts defence by curling a wonderful effort around the wall and just inside the near post.
Keeper Nick Thomson was called into the action just after the half hour mark as he produced a smart stop at his near post to deny Stourbridge winger Junior Smikle, who had met a cross from the left by fellow winger Brown with a well struck volley.
As half time approached Spartans almost doubled their lead. A clearance out of the back four caught the hosts defence unawares and the allowed Maguire in on goal but he sent a first-time chip over keeper Coleman and over the crossbar. That was the last chance of the half and Spartans went into the interval a goal to the good.
Stourbridge: Coleman, Smikle, Canavan, Williams, Richards, Miles, Connolly, Broadhurst, Benbow, Lait, Brown Subs not used: Fitzpatrick, Quaynor, Hales, Wint, Morgan-Parker Goals:
Spartans: Thomson, Nicholson, Mullen, Parker, Hutchinson, Stp Turnbull, Richardson, Dale, Maguire, Wade, Rivers Subs not used: Wearmouth, Watson, Lynch, Hooks, Hawkins Goals: Turnbull 22
Referee: Mark Howes