Report by Craig Dobson

Blyth Spartans continued their encouraging progress in pre-season with an emphatic 7-0 victory over Ashington at Woodhorn Lane.

It took the Spartans just six minutes to break the deadlock. Dan Maguire sent Michael Richardson in behind the defence, and though ‘keeper Conor Grant blocked the initial attempt, the midfielder squared the rebound to Sean Reid for a simple tap-in.

The visitors doubled the lead on 15 minutes when Robbie Dale caused problems on the right flank, drifting inside and drawing a foul in the box. Stephen Turnbull stepped up to take it, his spot kick sneaking in via the post.

Maguire made it three just after the half hour mark, turning in Richardson’s cross from the right, and was on target again four minutes before half-time, rounding the ‘keeper and stroking into the net to give Spartans a healthy advantage at the break.

Reid also grabbed a brace on the night, heading home a trademark Matty Pattison corner on 58 minutes. Recent signing Zak Atkinson, introduced from the bench, almost made it six, but was unfortunate to see his header cleared off the line.

Spartans added extra gloss to the victory with two goals in the final ten minutes. Luke Armstrong, another new face at Croft Park, pickpocketed a defender before slamming past the ‘keeper. With just five minutes remaining, Richardson rounded off a fine performance with a goal of his own, collecting Dale’s slide rule pass and curling a precise finish into the bottom corner.