Report by Phil Castiaux
In association with:
ALAN McLEAN FCMA CGMA
Chartered Management Accountant
Techflow Northumberland Senior Cup Final
St. James’ Park, Newcastle
May 4th 2016
Blyth Spartans 3 – 4 North Shields
North Shields started on the front foot with Blyth keeper Adam McHugh called in to action after only four minutes saving from Gary Ormston. Shields’ striker Gareth Bainbridge then eluded the Blyth defence before firing across the face of goal with Ryan Carr coming close to tucking the ball in from close range.
The Spartans replied when a 22 yard Robbie Dale effort rebounded off the Shields’ bar.
North Shields went ahead after ten minutes when Carr found space in the Blyth penalty area. He dragged a pass back to Ormston who found the top far corner of McHugh’s net from 16 yards.
The set-back stung Blyth in to action.
A neat move involving Matty Wade, Sean Reid and Dale resulted in Michael Richardson firing narrowly wide of Chris Bannon’s goal. Richardson came close again but was denied by a smart save by Brannon.
Blyth were now dominating and Alex Nicholson shot from 25 yards but his effort fizzed past the post. Bannon was in the thick of it again reacting swiftly to deny Blyth’s Jordan Watson before the Shields keeper pushed away a Dale free kick.
The Spartans dominance paid off when, after 30 minutes, a deep cross was met by the head of Wade. His goal bound effort appeared to go in the goal off a Shields defender.
Blyth extended their lead seven minutes later when Sean Reid calmly stroked the ball past Bannon’s right hand and in to the bottom corner of the net.
Reid and Richardson had shots blocked before former Spartan Lee Mason fired just over the bar on the stroke of half time.
Shields had clearly re-grouped during the interval and they proceeded to take the game to Blyth and drew level after five minutes.
Jordan Summerly, in space on the edge of the penalty box, picked out Gareth Bainbridge who was able to slide the ball past McHugh from six yards. Only a minute later the ball was played over the advancing McHugh but defender Parker was on hand to clear the danger. On 55 minutes the energetic Bainbridge sent a delightful chip over McHugh’s head which hit the bar before ending up in the back of the net to put Shields 3-2 up.
Ben Richardson and Ormston came close for Shields whose tails were up but Wilson Kneeshaw did come close for the Spartans when his shot, from a narrow angle, was palmed away by Bannon. The Blyth striker again tried his luck but this time Bannon saved with ease.
The Spartans made it 3-3 on 78 minutes when Dale found Neal Hooks six yards from goal and the midfielder was able to fire strongly high in to the net.
Richardson fired straight at Bannon as the final whistle approached.
In added time Shields sewed up the game with a superb goal Ryan Carr; turning and then firing powerfully over McHugh from 16 yards.
Blyth Spartans:
1. Adam McHugh, 2. Alex Nicholson (Andrew Cartwright 60), 3. Jordan Watson, 4. Nathan Buddle, 5. Danny Parker, 6. Damen Mullen, 7. Michael Richardson, 8. Sean Reid (Wilson Kneeshaw 65) 9. Daniel Maguire, 10. Matty Wade (Neal Hooks 70), 11. Robert Dale (capt.)
Unused subs: Paul Robinson and Arran Wearmouth