BY Aaron Hindhaugh
In association with:
ALAN McLEAN FCMA CGMA
Chartered Management Accountant
Vanarama National League North
Saturday, February 15, 2020
Blyth Spartans were put to the sword by Altrincham in a 3-0 defeat Croft Park.
Despite being well in the game and dominating large parts while 1-0 down, Alty were clinical in front of goal.
But Blyth Spartans had little to show for their endeavour in the final third, failing to test Tony Thompson all game.
It could have been more for the visitors if it was not for Man of the match Zach Hemming who pulled off a number of amazing saves.
Josh Hancock curled a free-kick in after 20 minutes. Elliott Durrell doubled Altricham’s lead on 57 minutes.
The visitors added a third after 64 minutes through Daniel Mooney.
After a fairly low-key affair, Altrincham’s Shaun Desmore saw a kind ricochet fall to him in the box but fired straight at Hemming.
Spartans gave away a needless free-kick on the edge of the area which allowed Hancock to bend one over the wall and past Hemming.
Altrincham were awarded a penalty after 34 minutes but Jordan Hulme’s spot-kick was saved excellently by Hemming after he gave away the foul.
Three minutes later Leighton McIntosh and Lewis Hawkins got in each other’s way on the penalty spot which saw a great opportunity go aimlessly wide as neither connected properly.
In the 44th minute, Hancock found himself free after a cut back in the box but he failed to take advantage scuffing his effort well wide of the far post.
Despite Spartans’ dominance in the second half, they were dealt a sucker blow as Durrell’s first touch of the game was a curling effort into the far corner from the edge of the box.
Mooney sprung the offside trap and was left with a one-on-one against Hemming which saw him bend one past the keeper from close range to put the game beyond doubt.
Hemming pulled off a stupendous save from Mooney to deny the winger his second of the game as his shot was heading for the top corner with 22 minutes left to play.
Blyth Spartans: Hemming, Evans, Thackray, Hunter (Fenwick) Cunningham, Devitt, Hawkins, Mullen (Dale), Langstaff, McIntosh, Scott. Subs not used: Wrightson, Lambert, Harmison.
Altrincham: Thompson, Densmore, Hampson, Jones, Hannigan, Moult, Mooney (Walters), Lundstrom, Hulme, Hancock (Mullarkey), Mahon (Durrell). Subs not used, Peers, White.
Goals: Hancock 20, Durrell 58, Mooney 65.
Referee: David McNamara
Attendance: 684