Report by Sam Donovan
In association with:
Alan McLean FCMA CGMA
Chartered Management Consultant
Vanarama National League North
Saturday 17th February 2018
Blyth Spartans 3 – 0 Bradford Park Avenue
Spartans made it three 3-0 wins in a week as they comfortably saw off the threat of Bradford Park Avenue in front of a bumper crowd of 806 at Croft Park. Dale Hopson coolly slotted home a penalty in the 14th minute after Dan Maguire was brought down by the ‘keeper. Jarrett Rivers doubled the lead just before the interval when Robbie Dale cut the ball back to him. Dale Hopson wrapped the scoring up when he calmly slipped home the third after a break by Robbie Dale.
The first chance of note took 9 minutes to arrive. Michael Liddle released Dale Hopson and the midfielder chipped the ball into the box for Dan Maguire. The diminutive forward couldn’t make contact with his head but the ball dropped at his feet and his effort on the turn was blocked by Luca Havern.
Blyth took the lead on 14 minutes with Dale Hopson scoring a penalty. A poor back header from Shane Killock didn’t quite have enough on it for his ‘keeper; Maguire chased the ball down and got to it ahead of Drench and the Avenue ‘keeper brought down Maguire. Hopson stepped up and sent Drench the wrong way from the spot.
Park Avenue tried to respond but it took until the 22nd minute to win a corner. Nicky Clee went across to take it but it took a great flicked header by Michael Liddle to avert the danger.
On 25 minutes, Peter Jameson was tested for the first time as a ball in from the right for Bradford Park Avenue, an attempted clearance fell to the feet of Oli Johnson but the winger was unable to make a proper connection and it was blocked by Jameson.
This spurred Bradford Park Avenue to venture further forward in search of an equaliser. Jamie Spencer who was playing just behind Adam Boyes, hit a curling effort from just outside the area in the 27th minute but the strike was comfortably gathered by Jameson.
Nathan Buddle found his name in the referee’s notebook after a robust challenge left Boyes in a heap on the pitch. Despite the protestations of the away bench, the referee only brandished a yellow card. The free kick was whipped into the far post where it was volleyed wide.
On 42 minutes, Luca Havern clipped the heels of Rivers on the edge of the area. Robbie Dale looked to repeat his Tamworth heroics as he stood over the ball but on this occasion is free kick was driven hard and low and claimed by Steven Drench.
The lead was doubled on 44 minutes and it was the mercurial Robbie Dale who was at the heart of it. He went on a twisting run into the box, leaving players trailing in his wake; the cutback was perfect for Jarrett Rivers and he took the ball first time to clip it left footed into the bottom corner.
Right on the stroke of half time, there was an almighty goalmouth scramble after Sean Reid had seen his initial shot blocked by Drench. Maguire on the rebound was unable to turn the ball home as some last ditch blocks kept the score 2 – 0 at the interval.
A minute into the second half and the visitors looked to get back into the game as Jamie Spencer let fly from all of 30yrds but the effort was tame and Peter Jameson was able to gather comfortably.
After 54 minutes, Dan Maguire went inches away from adding a third as he saw an effort deflected wide after making space in the box but Drench did well and blocked it out for a corner.
The corner was swung in but claimed by the ‘keeper, however in his haste to get Avenue up the pitch his clearance hit the back of Killock and left Maguire free on goal. Despite being presented with an empty net, the striker took a few touches and allowed Drench to redeem himself. Rivers was unmarked had Maguire opted to pass the ball.
Just after the hour mark there were loud appeals for a penalty but this time from the visitors. Oli Johnson got into the box and went to ground as he went past Peter Jameson; however, Mr. Matthews opted to book the Park Avenue player for simulation in the box.
Peter Jameson who had made sure that Blyth took the three points from Tamworth, earned his corn with a stunning save in the 71st minute. A looping header from Adam Smith looked destined to nestle in the far corner but Jameson’s reflexes saw the ‘keeper tip the ball away.
The Spartans wrapped up the points after 77 minutes when Dale Hopson scored his second of the afternoon. A fantastic break forward saw the Spartans triumvirate of Dale, Hopson and Maguire counter attack, Dale carried the ball and then laid it to Hopson. The midfielder chopped back inside and sent a defender to the floor before calmly rolling the ball into the far corner.
With the game in the bag, Blyth were able to bring on Macauley Langstaff and Adam Wrightson cause some more panic in the backline of Bradford Park Avenue. The pair combined with the former crossing but the latter was unable to make a clean connection with the ball and Drench could pick the ball up.
Joe Gorman who had signed yesterday from Biggleswade United was also able to come on as the game ticked down. The debutant slotted in at left back after Ian Watson was replaced having nullified the threat of Javan Vidal.
The result made it a hat-trick of 3-0 wins and the confidence that has been with Spartans for much of the season seems to be coming back after a mid-season blip.
Next up for Blyth is a trip to Leamington next Saturday as they look to make it 4 wins on the spin. The next home game is on Saturday 3rd March when Southport are the visitors to Croft Park.
Blyth Spartans: Jameson, Liddle, Watson (Gorman, 83), Green, Buddle, Hutchinson, Rivers (Wrightson 78), Reid, Maguire (Langstaff, 78), Hopson, Dale (c).
Subs not used: Mullen, MacDonald.
Bradford Park Avenue: Drench, Toulson, Clee, Wroe (c), Killock, Havern, Vidal (Smith, 65), Pybus (Mulhern, 56) Boyes, Johnson, Spencer (Nowakowski, 72).
Subs not used: Hill, Bushell
Attendance: 806
Spartans Man of the Match: Dale Hopson.
Referee: Mr. John Matthews