Blyth manager Mick Tait was disappointed at only taking a point in his side’s away game at Stafford Rangers on Saturday.
“Despite the 1-1 scoreline I’m not happy” he said. “Although we were the better side and had numerous chances it’s two points thrown away. We should have had the game won and out of sight with the opportunities we had in both halves.”
Tait was pleased with Blyth’s goal on 65 minutes.
“Gareth Williams drilled a superb 50 yard ball through to Ian Graham who controlled the ball brilliantly with one touch before beating the keeper”
However he was less than happy with the nature of Stafford’s equaliser.
“Their player pushed Stephen Harrison into our goalkeeper Jack Norton which resulted in Harrison lying prone in severe discomfort within the box as the referee played on for about 30 seconds which then saw him give them a penalty.
“I’m very disappointed and I said to the ref afterwards that I thought he’d had a good game till then. He commented it wasn’t a head injury so he didn’t blow but Harrison was on the ground, polaxed, suffering a panic attack and unable to breath following a knee in his diaphragm.”
Tait rued recent dropped points.
“That’s at least four away games we’ve drawn where we should have won,” he said. “We need to be sharper with our chances but, just as much, we must learn how to hold on to leads. We are a side with a few bits to learn but that, with a great bunch of lads, is coming with time.”
This Saturday Blyth host Ilkeston in the FA Trophy.
“We know a little about them,” suggested Tait. “In the league game recently we got off to an awful start and found ourselves 3-0 down before rallying. There is no reason why we can’t reverse that result this weekend if we start well. I know we can more than match them and I’m looking forward to the challenge.”