BY Liam O’Brien
In association with:
ALAN McLEAN FCMA CGMA
Chartered Management Accountant
Vanarama National League North
Saturday, October 19th, 2019
Blyth Spartans 2-2 Chester
Blyth Spartans delivered an excellent performance – earning a hard- fought point at home against second-placed Chester.
Chester took the lead in the third minute when Danny Elliot’s free-kick deflected past Mark Foden into the back of the net.
Blyth soon equalised when Michael Sweet headed home a wonderful cross by Lewis Hawkins.
Spartans then took the lead in the 22nd minute when Adam Wrightson went on a solo run from out wide on the left then came inside and fired a shot against a Chester player and the ball went over Russ Griffiths into the back of the net.
In the 40th minute, Chester equalised when Bradley Jackson sent a low cross into the box for Matty Hughes who calmly put it away to make it 2-2.
In the 3rd minute, Tom Devitt conceded a free-kick just outside the box. Elliot stepped up to take the free kick and his shot deflected off a Spartans player and went in to give Chester an early lead.
Spartans replied quickly and in the 6th minute, Hawkins whipped in a cross which found the head of Sweet in the box. Sweet then sent his header low into the corner to equalise.
Callum Roberts got a chance to score in the 16th minute when he received the ball from a Foden goal-kick then turned his defender and had a strike at goal that went just wide.
Blyth took the lead in the 22nd minute when Wrightson turned the man marking him then charged towards goal while holding off another defender then he took a shot that deflected off a defender and went over the Griffiths into the back of the net.
Spartans got away with a mistake when Foden’s clearance went straight to a Chester player. George Waring got the ball outside the box passes it to Jackson who whips it to the back post for the head of Waring but his header is clawed off the line by Foden and Blyth managed to get the ball clear.
Spartans were dealt a blow in the 35th minute when Callum Roberts was forced off with an injury and replaced by Robbie Dale.
Blyth got a chance in the 36th minute when Dale headed the ball on for Sweet rounded the keeper and had a strike at goal that was cleared off the line by Danny Livesey.
Chester equalised in the 40th minute when Jackson collected the ball and sent a ball low into the box for Hughes to side-foot home from 6 yards out.
Chester missed a great chance to take the lead in first half stoppage time when a ball was played into the box from out wide for Waring in the box but his shot from 2 yards out went just wide of the post.
In the 51st minute, Rhys Evans and Dale played a 1-2 to get Dale into the box. Dale’s strike at goal was impressively saved by Griffiths but the ball dropped to Wrightson, who’s shot went wide of the post.
Chester got a chance in the 54th minute when Gary Roberts had a strike at goal from outside the box that went narrowly wide.
Spartans came under a bit of pressure when Chester whipped in a corner that bounced around the box with Blyth somehow managing to clear it off the line several times and eventually they managed to get it clear.
Blyth got lucky in the 72nd minute when Craig Mahon was through on goal and one on one with Foden. He managed to round Foden but his shot rattled against the post.
Spartans got a chance in the 81st minute when Dale whipped in a cross towards the backpost for Hawkins, who’s header hit the post and bounced out off Griffiths and out of play for a corner.
In the 90th minute, Chester got a final chance to win it with Hughes having a strike at goal from outside the box that went narrowly wide of the post. Spartans managed hold on in stoppage time to pick a massive point against 2nd in the league.
Spartans – Foden, Evans, Callaghan, Scott, Ritson, Devitt, Wrightson, Hunter (c), Sweet (Amantchi, 77), Roberts (Dale, 35), Hawkins Subs not used: Fenwick, Robson, Harker.
Goals – Sweet (6) Wrightson (22)
Bookings – Devitt (2) Hunter (18)
Chester – Griffiths, Roberts, Taylor, Roberts (c), Livesey, Grand, Jackson, Glendon, Waring (Stopforth, 67), Hughes, Elliot (Mahon, 64). Subs not used: Morgan, Waters, Dudle
Goals – Elliot (3) Hughes (40)
Bookings – Elliot (52) Livesey (55) Roberts (84)
Referee – Adam Williamson
Man of the Match – Michael Sweet