By Anth Elliott
Wednesday 5th October 2022
Blyth Spartans U18’s 6-0 Newcastle Benfield U18’s
Blyth’s U18’s came into this League Cup game hoping to bounce back after a disappointing result in their last fixture.
Newcastle Benfield started well forcing Blyth back to the keeper Taylor Chapman which kicked the Spartans players in to gear.
Blyth began to make their mark on the game keeping the ball well and reducing Benfield to long searching balls forward, Blyth pressed high forcing mistakes from Benfield.
The away side however did manage to get through the back line with a ball over the top which forced Lucas Giacomoni to bring down his man resulting in him being booked, the Benfield freekick was hit high and wide but Blyth heeded the warning.
With 12 minutes played Blyth took advantage with some quick build up play and a superb cross field ball from left back Sam Nicholson into Paul Dudgen inside the Benfield penalty area, with a lovely first touch and drag back to send the defender the wrong way Dudgen placed the ball into the bottom left corner.
Spartans continued to pile on the pressure and Benfield held strong until the 33rd minute, from a corner the ball was cleared out to the left wing where Giacomoni found space to cross the ball back into the box and found Joe Spencer who headed the ball home 2-0.
Nine minutes later Blyth were three goals to the good when Charlie Whittaker played a lovely one-two with Dudgen who found Rio Joisce in space on the edge of the area, he drove into the 18-yard box the Benfield keeper charged out towards him, but Joisce kept his cool and lifted it just over the diving stopper and into the bottom left of the goal.
Halftime saw Spartans looking very comfortable and confident which was a total contrast to a Newcastle Benfield side who looked stunned.
After the break Benfield again started well but were unable to test Chapman in the Spartans goal. Blyth then further extended their lead when a corner was headed back across goal by Spencer and the ball found Oscar Hartley in space for a free header which he dutifully headed in to make it four.
Heading into the 69th minute Blyth added another when the ball was played down the left and Dudgen was able to find Hartley in space on the edge of the Benfield area, Hartley fired an effort goalward and it curled in to the bottom corner.
Two minutes later and Blyth added a sixth , when Joisce sprayed a ball from the left across the Benfield penalty area finding Matty Nesbitt at the back post who struck a beautiful volley past a static keeper.
In the 85th minute Benfield had an opportunity to score a consolation goal when their No.9 was brought down in the area. Unfortunately it was not to be as Chapman watched the ball fly over his head and the bar comfortably out of play.
The referee brought the game to a close in what was a very convincing win for the Spartans U18’s who go on to the next round of the League Cup.
Blyth Spartans XI | Chapman, Norvell, Nicholson, Hartley, Spencer, Giacomoni, Joisce, Shilling, Small, Dudgen (C), Whittaker
Subs | Mitchell, Nesbitt, Farley, McNicol