According to Blyth Spartans’ manager Mick Tait his side, on Saturday, were “totally dominant” but their hosts Ilkeston Town ultimately lacked restraint, showed their frustration, but were in no mood to be submissive.
The Robins ran out 2-1 winners in a game of few thrills but were punished – picking up four cautions and one sending off.
“After the early period in which we didn’t work hard enough and when Ilkeston had the ball we began to stop the ball from getting to their strikers and then were fully in control for the rest of the game” Tait said.
“We deserved all three points,” he added. “We totally outplayed them. They didn’t cause us any problems, especially in the second half.”
Tait reckoned female influences helped determine the outcome.
‘Lady Luck’ and the lady referee.
The Derbyshire side took the lead against the run of play in the 32nd minute when Blyth centre back Richard Pell was adjudged to have fouled on the edge of his 18 yard box. Ilkeston’s Morgan Smith fired against the defensive wall, the ball rebounded to him, he shot again and hit the wall once more, then on the third attempt he squeezed the ball home.
“That was just luck on their behalf” said Tait.
“Their players badgered the ref into giving the free kick. To be fair though she had an excellent game otherwise and I told her so afterwards”.
Within minutes the home side extended their lead when Blyth lost the ball in midfield, Ilkeston stormed forward and Morgan Smith finished with a powerful shot past Norton in the Blyth goal.
Tait was disappointed again.
“It was our fault. We had a throw in and had pushed people forward but we lost the ball from the throw and were punished.”
Despite pulling a goal back early in the second half with a Robbie Dale header and continuing to dominate Blyth couldn’t find an equaliser.
Substitute Michael Tait, on for Stephen Turnbull who was suffering from a tight hamstring, added energy to Blyth’s performance but an inability to penetrate Ilkeston’s defence was decisive.
“I thought Michael changed the game which is amazing when you think he only recovered two days ago after having mumps and being horizontal for 11 days. I wasn’t sure about playing him but he was chomping on the bit and he proved me wrong.”
“However we lacked a cutting edge,” thought Tait. “We moved the ball around well but I think we actually had too much possession! We didn’t have enough room to play as Ilkeston got everyone back, and even more so when Bonner was dismissed with 15 minutes to go.”
The Spartans did create a few chances to score but Brayson fired wide and Graham could have taken time to control the ball instead of firing over when in space. Neal Hooks found Brayson at the far post with a dinked cross but Blyth’s top scorer shot from close range with the ball hitting the inside of Ilkeston goalkeeper Lowson’s legs and spinning just wide of the post. “Another example of bad luck afflicting us” said an irritated Tait.
“I do think that the yellow cards and the red Ilkeston picked up were a result of their frustration. They couldn’t get the ball and that, in fact, is a compliment to my players. There have been numerous sides going down to ten men against us due to us being able to keep the ball and them reacting badly to it.
“But it’s scary how many points we’ve chucked away this season and it was a classic case of that on Saturday,” Tait added.
Blyth have released striker Guy Bates after a short spell at Croft Park while young midfielder Josh Gillies is likely to join Whitley Bay this week. Tait expects to have defender Darren Craddock back in contention next weekend for the game at Alfreton. Captain Gareth Williams may be back too after resting a hamstring strain.
Tait will be hoping against hope to tie up the three points as the Spartans seek to hold down their mid table position.