Nantwich Town 2-1 Blyth Spartans

In association with:
ALAN McLEAN FCMA CGMA
Chartered Management Accountant

Nantwich Town 2-1 Blyth Spartans
Saturday 2nd May
The Weaver Stadium
Evo-Stik Northern Premier League
Attendance: 375

A disappointing season for Spartans turned full circle with 2-1 final day defeat at Nantwich Town. Just as they had on the opening day they travelled to Cheshire and returned to Northumberland empty handed, Witton Albion being the opposition in the Nort West that day. In reality Spartans season was summed up by the defeat at the Weaver Stadium. There was controversy, injuries, a little bit of hope, missed chances, patches of good football, a self inflicted defeat and finally of course a missed penalty.

Tom Wade’s side actually started the game on top and a clever short corner from Phil Airey found Neal Hooks just outside the box. The midfielder came within a whisker of adding to his first goal of the season scored in the Kendal Town defeat on Tuesday by curling just over the bar. The first controversial incident occurred in the seventh minute as a long ball out of the Dabbers defence released winger Josh Lane in the inside right channel. He tried to chip over the advancing Mark Cook but the ball struck the hand of the Spartans keeper as he came out of the box. Referee Joe Clark gave a free kick and showed a yellow card to Cook with many inside the Weaver Stadium demanding strong punishment. From the resultant free kick Cook tipped over from a vicious inswinger by Joe Guest.

Spartans came back at the Dabbers and it was a Phil Airey corner that again caused problems for the hosts defence. The Amble born player crossed to the far post and Jordan Mellish headed just wide from ten yards out. That same combination worked again on twenty minutes with Mellish heading over from the same distance. The wind was causing havoc for both sides and Spartans were using it to their advantage pushing the home side back as much as possible. On thirty five minutes Spartans had their best chance of the game as Airey pinged a cross field ball into the box that found Tom Berj. The little midfielder threw himself at the ball but saw Jon Brain push his diving header to safety.

With ten minutes to go to the break the home side stepped up their efforts and took the lead, however it was a goal that was somewhat controversial. Left back Zack Foster broke down the left beating Phil Airey but running the ball out of play. The linesman kept the flag down as everyone stopped expecting a throw in to be awarded. Foster broke into the left side of the Spartans area and his low cross found the unmarked Harry Clayton slotted home from six yards out. Clayton nearly doubled his own tally and his side’s lead just before half time as he curled an effort just past Cook’s far post from the edge of the box.

Despite playing into the wind second half Spartans started on top and again Phil Airey’s corner kicks were causing major problems. His cross to the penalty spot found Spartans captain Wayne Buchanan who looped a header goalwards but Dabbers substitute Hudson cleared off the line. A minute later Richie Slaughter’s long ball to the edge of the box was flicked on by Craig Hubbard. The ball fell to Joe Kendrick who lopped an effort over his former Newcastle United academy team mate Brain but the ball went just over the bar.

The home side had their first chance of the second period and really should have extended their lead. A Lane corner found Dabbers captain Charles Raglan who headed again the near post and Spartans somehow clered to safety. That miss cost the hosts dear just two minutes later as Andy Jennings was played through on goal and was clipped by Brain. A spot kick was awarded and Phil Airey stepped up to take. He struck the ball well down the middle but Brain managed to keep it out meaning Spartans have failed to convert eight of their sixteen penalties this season. The rebound found it’s way to Jennings who crashed home ten yards despite the best efforts of the home defence.

Spartans were only on even terms for four minutes. Hudson broke forward from his left back position and fired a low cross into the area that Jordan Mellish unfortunately sliced into his own net, the deflection decieving Cook at his near post. The home side nearly extended their lead with fifteen minutes leftas Joe Guest smashed an effort from all of twenty five yards that bounced just past Cook’s near post. Spartans final chance of the game fell to their player of the season Dan Maguire as he was released in on goal but his low shot was parried by Brain. The ball ran across goal but right back Cole managed to clear just before Jennings had the chance to gain a deserved equaliser for his side.

After making two subs and seeing Phil Airey go down injured Tom Wade was forced to throw keper Conor Grant on in an outfield position with his other two substitutes(Robbie Dale and Lee Mason) carrying knocks. The last five minutes of the game fizzled out without incident and Spartans ended their season with a defeat meaning they finished sixteenth in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League. Whilst many will go away for their summer breaks the hard work carries on for Wade as he looks to rebuild Spartans and improve on the performance this season.

On a personal note I would like to thank everyone at the club for making my season such an enjoyable one. Players, managers, officials and most importantly the Green Army have made me feel more than welcome and it’s great to be part of such a special club. I look forward to seeing everyone for a much improved season next time around, Mark

Spartans Man of the Match: Richie Slaughter

Nantwich Town Brain, Cole, Foster(Hudson 45), Hughes, Raglan, Dicker, Lane, Maguire, Wilson(Bentham 59), Clayton, Guest strong> Subs not used: evenney, Bailey, Everall Goalscorers Clayton 36, Mellish o.g 59

Blyth Spartans: Cook, Airey(Grant 87), Kendrick, Mellish(Donnelly 63), Buchanan, Slaughter, Hubbard(Mullen 76), Hooks, Maguire, Jennings, Berj Subs not used: Mason, Airey Scorers: Jennings 55

Referee: Joe Clark