By Liam O’Brien
In association with:
ALAN McLEAN FCMA CGMA
Chartered Management Accountant
Vanarama National League North
Saturday December 8, 2018
Blyth Spartans 2-0 Ashton United
Spartans beat Aston United thanks to goals from Reid and Dale in what was a dominant performance by the hosts
Reid opened the scoring in the 51st minute after Dale managed to turn Ashton’s defence and put in a cross that Reid side footed into the goal.
Spartans then doubled their lead in the 87th minute when an impressive counter attack by the Spartans ended with Holmes getting the ball to Dale who smashed it into the far corner.
On the back of four consecutive victories, Alun Armstrong made just one change from the side that beat Nuneaton Borough a week ago – Lewis Horner replacing Alex Nicholson who dropped to the bench.
Blyth started strong when Dale dribbled his way past a number of Ashton defenders and sent a ball across the goal – the visitors clearing the ball for a corner.
Ashton had an opportunity to open the scoring when Sheridan got a chance at goal from just outside the box but he sent the shot over the bar with 16 minutes played
Sheridan was booked for a tackle on Reid and the resulting free kick for Blyth was taken by Dale, who sent it soaring into the stand.
Spartans continued to dominate the game as Reid managed to find some space just outside the box – trying to replicate his stunning strike against Stockport, Reid couldn’t find the same venom in his strike, Pilling making a comfortable save.
In the 26th minute, Oliver found Dale out wide, Dale then managed to find a pass to Maguire in the box who had a shot at goal that went wide of the near post.
One of the few clear chances for Blyth to score came in the 36th minute when Oliver whipped in a corner that reached the head of Cunningham at the far post but unfortunately for the home side his header went wide.
Ashton got a rare opportunity at goal when Anghel made a run towards the box and had a strike at goal that went soaring over the bar.
Blyth dominated possession but couldn’t create many clear cut chances as Ashton continued to keep the Spartans shooting from outside the box.
In the 39th minute, Maguire made a run towards the goal from out wide on the left wing. He managed to get into the box and have a strike at goal that rattled off the out of the post.
And before the interval the an unlikely source almost provided the opener. Jordan Watson found himself unmarked in the penalty area and side footed the ball at goal, only to see Pilling make a phenomenal point blank save to deny him.
In the second half, Blyth started off well as Dale dribbled the ball into the box and had a strike at goal that took a deflection which ended up at the feet of Maguire who couldn’t get the ball under control and seemed to take it off the line and out of play.
Five minutes into the second period the majestic Dale conjured up a wonderful low cross to tee up Reid who side-footed home from close range.
5 minutes later, Green had a strike at goal from outside the box that was straight at the Ashton keeper, Pilling.
Blyth had a great chance to double their lead when Maguire made a run down the right side of the pitch and sent a low cross into the box for Reid who was about 3 yards out but unfortunately sent the ball over the bar.
Green had an ambitious effort from outside the box when he hit a shot at goal on the half volley that went wide.
Ashton managed to keep Blyth from getting shots away in the box with Oliver having a strike at the Ashton goal from outside the box that went over the bar.
A second goal seemed inevitable as Blyth went close again when Maguire came from the right side of the pitch, onto his left foot and had a strike at goal that went narrowly over the bar.
Dale managed to open up a chance at goal when he found space outside the box to have a shot that went straight into the gloves of Pilling.
Spartans doubled their lead in the 87th minute as Rivers charged towards goal on the counter attack then managed to pass it to Holmes who beat the defender to the ball and got it to Dale who then had a strike at goal that goes into the far corner of the net.
Things got worse for Ashton as in the 3rd minute of stoppage time, Sheridan was sent off after receiving a second yellow.
This was Blyth’s fifth win in a row and the Spartans will be hoping to continue this form as they face the winner of Lancaster v Guiseley in the next round of the FA trophy.
Spartans – Jameson, Horner, Liddle, Green (Holmes, 73), Cunningham, Watson, Rivers, Oliver, Maguire, Reid, Dale
Subs not used: Fewster, Mullen, Buddle, Nicholson
Goals – Reid (51) Maguire (87)
Ashton United – Pilling, Stead (Chalmers, 18), Regan, Jones, Goulding, Kay, Jackson, Sheridan, Chadwick (Howarth, 73), Tomsett, Anghel (Crowther, 66)
Subs not used: Hill, Roberts,
Referee – Nathanael Cox
Sponsors’ Man of the Match – Dan Maguire