Report by Phil Castiaux
In association with:
ALAN McLEAN FCMA CGMA
Chartered Management Accountant
Evo-Stik NPL Premier Division
Saturday 20th February 2016
Rushall Olympic 0 -1 Blyth Spartans
Blyth came away from Rushall Olympic on Saturday with all three points following an untidy game on a heavy pitch and played in a swirling wind but with the backing of a large and vocal travelling support.
The hosts almost took the lead after three minutes when over-lapping full back Zak Martin was able to get a shot away from close range but Spartans’ keeper Adam McHugh was alert to the danger and was able to clear the effort with his feet.
Blyth came close to taking the lead after ten minutes, when from a corner, Dale was able to advance and shoot hard and low towards the far corner of the Rushall goal but Martin was well placed on the line to boot away. An incisive through ball by Rushall then found Alex Reid on the edge of the Blyth penalty area but he scuffed his shot and it rolled harmlessly through to McHugh. The home side were pressing and Mitchell Tolley volleyed well over the bar from 30 yards.
Blyth were always looking to break and Wilson Kneeshaw burst through between two defenders but his hurried shot was sliced wide of the goal.
Neither team had the upper hand although Blyth had the better of the remainder of the half.
Kneeshaw again got clear of the home defence but his shot was blocked and cleared before nice inter-play between Alex Nicholson, Kneeshaw and Neal Hooks saw the latter’s cross just fail to find the on-rushing Michael Richardson at the far post.
The visitors took the lead in the final minute before the break. A precise ball by Dale found Richardson on Blyth’s left. He wriggled in to the penalty box and was brought down by Rushall captain Michael Townsend; a penalty awarded. Dale strode up and planted the ball low to keeper Ryan Price’s left to put the Spartans one up.
Blyth were keen to get their shots in immediately after half time. Jordon Watson’s speculative effort sailed high over the bar before Richardson drove straight at Price who collected safely. At the other end Nathan Buddle was in the right place at the right time to rise and head clear a dangerous right wing cross before a free kick from Kris Taylor was deflected and McHugh plucked the ball out of the air with ease.
The game was end to end and Richardson, slightly off balance, saw his shot skid narrowly wide of Price’s right hand post. A delicate flicked header by Dale then put Kneeshaw in on goal and only a superbly timed sliding tackle by Kieran Morris denied the young Blyth striker.
Midway through the half McHugh was called in to action twice; first to palm away a fierce Nathan Fox drive and then to rush out of his goal to prevent Josh McKenzie getting his shot in.
With twenty minutes remaining Kneeshaw’s instinctive snap-shot was expertly saved by Price.
The home side had the better of the later exchanges. Substitute Jake Heath hit a thunderous shot which was pushed away to safety by McHugh. Heath then produced a deep cross to the far post but the unmarked Andre Brown missed a fine opportunity by volleying wide. In the final minute Blyth’s Nicholson was on hand to head clear another dangerous cross.
It wasn’t a pretty win for Blyth but it was a valiant and hard fought one which sees the Spartans eight points clear at the top of the Evo-Stik Premier Division table.
Blyth are at home on Tuesday 23rd February when they entertain Frickley, kick off 7.45pm. Colwyn Bay are then the visitors to Croft Park on Saturday 27th February, kick off 3pm.
Attendance: 358
TEAMS:
Rushall Olympic: 1. Ryan Price, 2. Aris Christophorou, 3. Zak Martin, (16. Jake Heath 68), 4. Mitchell Tolley, 5. Kieran Morris. 6. Michael Townsend (capt.), 7. Alex Reid, 8. Marlon Walters, 9. Jamie Spencer, (14. Andre Brown 79), 10. Kris Taylor, (15. Josh McKenzie 63), 11. Nathan Fox
Unused subs: 12. Gavin Caines, 17. Danny Wilkinson
Blyth Spartans: 1. Adam McHugh, 2. Alex Nicholson, 3. Jordon Watson, 4. Nathan Buddle, 5. Ryan Hutchinson, 6. Neal Hooks, 7. Michael Richardson, 8. Sean Reid, (14. Aaron Wearmouth 63), 9. Wilson Kneeshaw, (15. Daniel Maguire 71), 10. Matthew Wade, 11. Robert Dale (capt.)
Unused subs: 12. Paul Robinson, 16. Danny Parker, 17. Andrew Cartwright
Referee: D. Bourne, Assistants: J. Thornhill and P. Dobson.