By Callum Jacques
Spartans slipped into the relegation zone following a 0-2 home defeat at the hands of Basford United.
Ashley Chambers scored both goals for the visitors, either side of half time. Chambers’ brace took his tally against Blyth to six goals in seven games.
Spartans’ manager David Stockdale was looking for a response from his side following a 4-0 defeat at Mickleover last time out.
The away side took the lead in the 16th minute when Ashley Chambers bundled the ball in past Bond from close range at the back post following a corner.
Spartans looked for an immediate response and almost found it in the 19th minute when Dan Savage’s outside of the foot pass found Mitchell Curry inside the area, but his attempt was blocked.
Savage was involved again moments later and struck the post with a shot from inside the box, but the flag was up for offside.
Spartans came close again in the 24th minute when Joao Gomes was picked out by Zack Simpson, but Saul Deeney was equal to Gomes’ low attempt.
Harrison Bond was forced into a save from point blank range in the 40th minute to deny the visitors a second before the break.
Half time: Blyth Spartans 0-1 Basford United
Basford continued to apply pressure after half time and substitute Revarnelle James’ outside of the foot pass found Joshua Barnes inside the area, but his attempt went wide.
Some good link up play from Curry, Nicky Deverdics and Gomes on the hour mark led to a chance for the latter but his attempt was blocked.
As time wore on Spartans committed more bodies forward which led to Basford regularly hitting the home side on the counter and the visitors doubled their lead in the 75th minute when Barnes slid the ball through to Chambers who added his and Basford’s second of the afternoon via the inside of Bond’s post.
Deverdics’ low drilled shot from the edge of the area in the 84th minute was deflected and saved by the foot of Deeney when he looked otherwise beaten.
Basford almost added a third, if not for Ryan Donaldson who cut out a pass when he was outnumbered three on one.
Basford broke forward once again in stoppage time this time hitting the bar following a two on one situation but Dameer Rose dragged his shot wide when through on goal.
Full time: Blyth Spartans 0-2 Basford United
Blyth Spartans | Harrison Bond, Louis Stephenson, Joel Holvey (Charlie Aitken 82’), Zack Simpson (Ryan Donaldson 64’), Ben Milburn, Harrison Clark, Mitchell Curry (Isiah Cornet 64’), Billy Gordon, Dan Savage, Joao Gomes, Nicky Deverdics ©
Subs not used | Joe Oliver, Michael Hogan
Yellow Cards | Billy Gordon 43′, Ryan Donaldson 70′ Harrison Clark 75′
Basford United | Saul Deeney, Nelson Aideyan, Henri Wilder, Matthew Thornhill © (Prince Mancinell 38’), Victor Nirennold, Joshua Barnes, Kane Richards (Dameer Rose 88’), Kacy Butterfield, Tyrell Waite (Revarnalle James 29’), Tyler Dacres (Harvey Ridgley 82’), Ashley Chambers (Joe Uveges 83’).
Goals | Ashley Chambers 17’, 77’
Attendance | 477
Referee | Glen Hart
Assistant Referees | Charlie Ford and Josh Davison
Spartans are next in action on Thursday evening as we face Newcastle University in the rescheduled Northumberland Senior Cup tie.
Stats by Freddie Chandler
| Blyth Spartans | Stats | Basford United |
| 9 | Shots | 14 |
| 3 | Shots on Target | 6 |
| 6 | Shots Blocked | 3 |
| 7 | Fouls Committed | 10 |
| 12 | Free Kicks | 10 |
| 3 | Yellow Cards | 0 |
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 |
| 3 | Offsides | 2 |
| 4 | Corners | 4 |