By Stuart Dick
In association with:
ALAN McLEAN FCMA CGMA
Chartered Management Accountant
Vanarama National League North
Tuesday August 15 2017
Gainsborough Trinity 2-4 Blyth Spartans
Spartans made it two 4-2 wins in a row in a thrilling match at the Martin & Co Arena – as Blyth moved up to tenth in the Vanarama National League North table.
First half goals from Dale Hopson and Nathan Buddle put the visitors two goals to the good, before Michael Jacklin halved the deficit before the break.
Sean Reid’s 25-yard thunderbolt gave Spartans a 3-1 lead for all of 60 seconds, before Bradley Wells tapped in to pull another goal back.
Peter Jameson then saved a penalty from Nathan Jarman, before Daniel Maguire tapped in an Adam Wrightson cross with four minutes remaining to secure Blyth’s first away win of the season.
Jarrett Rivers created the first opening of the game after picking the ball up on the right. He beat one before whipping in a cross that caused panic in the Gainsborough ranks, but was dealt with eventually.
The hosts responded well, fashioning the first clear-cut chance of the game. Right winger Wells played a one-two with Ashley Worsfold to create space in the area. His curling left foot effort, however, sailed over the bar.
With eight minutes played, Spartans took the lead with a fine team move. Robert Dale’s ball into the penalty area found Maguire. The striker then laid the ball off to Hopson, who finished emphatically into the top left hand corner with a first-time effort for his second goal in as many games.
A minute later, the visitors were gifted another opportunity – after Ioan Evans’ lapse in concentration saw him mis-hit a back pass to Louis Jones. Maguire – quick on the error – galloped towards goal, but Jones save Maguire’s effort comfortably from a tight angle.
As the game passed the quarter-hour mark, Blyth doubled their lead from a set piece – after Maguire was brought down on the left. Hopson floated a ball to the back post that Buddle met it in mid-air – as he guided a header back across goal and into the bottom left-hand corner.
The hosts came to life after Spartans’ second and almost responded within three minutes. Craig King found space on the left wing and a low cross through the six yard box, but it was touched behind by Jordan Watson.
Four minutes later, the host should have reduced arrears. A right-wing cross was met at the back post by Wells, but Peter Jameson was on hand to make a phenomenal point-blank diving save.
As the clock ticked past the half-hour mark, Gainsborough pulled a goal back. A short corner down the left allowed King to cross to the back post, where centre-back Jacklin placed a header into the bottom right corner.
Within two minutes, the away side could have restored their two-goal lead. Dale had two chances down the left-hand side, cutting onto his favoured right before forcing a pair of saves from Jones.
Three minutes before the break, Dale was scythed down by Jarman 25-yards from goal and the Trinity striker earned himself a yellow card. Hopson took aim from just left of centre, but his effort was hit straight down the throat of Jones.
On the stroke of half time, Lewis Horner picked up on another defensive mistake from Trinity. He reached the edge of the area, before hitting an effort wide of the left upright.
Trinity came out in the second half showing more intent and stung the palms of Jameson within three minutes – as winger King hit an effort from the right, at rather an acute angle.
Ten minutes into the second period, it was the turn of Jordan Watson to play the saviour – as he dived in front of a Jordan Richards shot that was destined for the bottom left corner.
A minute later, Blyth created their first opening of the second half. Dale receiving possession on the left flank, before chopping onto his favoured right and hitting a stinging effort off the head of Jacklin – as the ball ended up going behind for a corner.
As the game reached the hour mark, Blyth began to create once again. A ball from the left wing fizzed across the penalty area to Hopson, who forced a fine reaction save at the back post by Jones.
Six minutes later, Alun Armstrong’s side scored their third and what a strike it was. Horner dispossessed Trinity in the centre of the pitch and advanced towards the goal, picking out the run of Reid. The lofty Spartan took aim and hit a stunning 25-yard effort in off the post, with the ball nestling in the back of the net.
Joy was short lived for the visitors, however – as, within 60 seconds, the hosts pulled another goal back. King was again the catalyst – as his low cross from the left was met by an unmarked Wells, who tapped into an empty net from a yard out.
Five minutes later, the hosts almost equalised. After two failed clearances on the edge of the area, Shane Clarke stole in and placed a low effort towards the bottom right corner, but only a strong hand from Jameson denied the midfielder.
On 74 minutes, the hosts went close again, when Ashley Worsfield picked up the ball in the penalty area. He laid the ball off to Jarman, who should have done better when missing the target from 12 yards out.
Two minutes later, the referee became the centre of attention – after awarding a penalty when Wells fell over in the penalty area under minimal pressure from Dale.
Jarman stepped up amd smashed his effort low to Jameson’s left, but the keeper got down low to palm the ball wide.
With pressure building in the last five minutes, Spartans looked to put the game to bed on the counter. Horner won possession in the middle of the pitch, immediately playing in substitute Adam Wrightson down the right. After a couple of mesmeric stepovers, he hit a low cross towards the centre of the goal, where Maguire was on hand to divert goalwards for Spartans’ fourth.
The hosts continued to push and nearly replied within 60 seconds for a second time. King’s cross from the left found Clarke eight yards out, but he steered his right-footed first time effort wide of the post.
With two wins in a row now after a difficult start to the season, Blyth will look to contimue their good form when North Ferriby United arrive at Croft Park on Saturday (3pm kick off.)
Gainsborough Trinity: Jones, Lacey, Storey, Clarke, Jacklin, Evans, Wells, Richards, Jarman, Worsfold (Wafula 80), King.
Unused Subs: Simmons, Stainfield, Gatter, Walton
Blyth Spartans: Jameson, Hutchinson, Liddle, McTiernan (Wrightson 73), Buddle, J Watson, Rivers (Reid 31), Horner, Maguire, Hopson (Longstaff 90), Dale.
Unused Subs: Mullen, MacDonald
Referee: Alex Kirkley
Attendance: 559
Spartans Man of the Match: Peter Jameson