In association with:
ALAN McLEAN FCMA CGMA
Chartered Management Accountant
Stamford AFC 3-4 Blyth Spartans
Evo-Stik Northern Premier League
Saturday 26th April
The Daniels Stadium
Attendance: 449
Don’t you just hate these dull and boring end of season games where neither side really has anything to play for other than pride? Bucking that trend was Spartans final game of the season at Stamford which was a seven goal thriller, that saw Tom Wade’s side overturn a two goal deficit to seal three points and in the process secure eighth place in the final Evo-Stik Northern Premier League table. The three points came at a cost to Spartans however as goalkeeper Conor Grant spent the night in a Grantham Hospital with a dislocated shoulder.
The game was played out in front of a strong travelling contingent of the Green Army who gave their side a vociferous backing throughout the ninety minutes. They had plenty to shout about on eleven minutes as Matthew Wade handed Spartans the perfect start to the game. The midfielder headed home a Damen Mullen corner kick from the right for his sixth goal of a strong debut season at the club.
However Spartans were pegged back in the twentieth minute as a diving header from Daniels captain Jordan Smith flew past Conor Grant. On the half hour mark things got worse for Spartans as two goals in three minutes seemed to take the game away from them. Firstly Jon Challinor won a ball from Lewis Horner in midfield and found fellow midfielder Ashley Robinson who crashed a volley past Grant from just inside the area to give his side the lead. Then just two minutes later Challinor himself got on the scoresheet with a volley of his own that took a big deflection leaving Grant stranded.
A crazy few minutes was rounded off on thirty four minutes as Spartans got back into the game thanks to Dan Maguire’s twenty seventh goal of the season, although it owed much to the hard work and persistence of Arran Wearmouth. The former Bishop Auckland man broke down the left and danced past Lewis Carr before firing a cross into the near post that was met by a deft flick from Maguire that took the ball past Will Jones before he could even react.
Buoyed by that goal Spartans put the home side under serious pressure and three minutes before the break they were back on level terms. A header from Damen Mullen released Maguire in on goal but his shot was saved by Jones, however the loose ball ran to Wearmouth who tapped home into an empty net. Maguire almost had his second on the stroke of half time but Jones managed to stop his low drive from the edge of the box and the sides went in level after an entertaining first half.
Joe Kendrick had the first chance of the second period just five minutes in. The left back struck a low, curling free kick from around twenty yards that was well saved by Jones at his near post. Just after the hour mark Spartans were dealt a severe blow with the loss of Conor Grant to a dislocated shoulder. The keeper denied Nabil Shariff from close range with an outstanding stop but collided with the goal post and had to be taken off. With no substitute goalkeeper Robbie Dale donned the keeper top for the second time this season with Paul Robinson coming off the bench to take Dale’s position on the left.
That change actually paid dividends just a minute later. A neat through ball from Matthew Wade was dummied by Arran Wearmouth to release Robinson into the left hand side of the area. The midfielder coolly rolled the ball into the far corner to put his side in front for the first time since Wade’s opener and completed a turnaround that few had seen coming.
Spartans almost increased their lead as Damen Mullen stung the hands of Jones with a rasping twenty yard volley that the hosts number one did well to parry around the post. The resulting corner kick came to nothing and was cleared easily. So much so in fact it led to Shariff breaking the offside trap to go in on goal. The big midfielder seemed set to get his side back level but was forced wide by replacement stopper Dale who then challenged him to put the ball out for a corner.
The last ten minutes were seen out by Spartans with Dale looking cool and calm in between the sticks taking crosses, punching and easily picking off shots from distance that never really tested him. As referee Plowright blew the whistle after six minutes of injury time Spartans completed the double over Stamford and ensured they broke through the seventy point barrier for the first time in eight seasons.
After the game Tom Wade, Colin Myers and the players went to the Green Army to thank them for their support not only during the game but throughout the season. It’s been a season of solid progress for Spartans and the foundations are in place for another big push next season, an interesting summer awaits everyone connected with the club.
Spartans Man of the Match: Arran Wearmouth
Stamford AFC Jones, Carr, Field, Malone, Jarvis, Robinson, Lawlor, Shariff(Richards 80), Smith, Challinor, Robbins(Binns 40) Subs not used: Nwadike, Staff, Keir Goalscorers Smith 20, Robinson 31, Challinor 33
Blyth Spartans: Grant(Robinson 62), Purewal, Buddle, Parker, Kendrick, Wade, Mullen, Horner(Watson 73) Maguire, Wearmouth(Hooks 82), Dale Subs not used: Bonket, Cummings Scorers: Wade 11, Maguire 34, Wearmouth 42, Robinson 64
Referee: Mr D Plowright