Tuesday 31st March 2009
Blue Square North
Blyth Spartans 1 Redditch United 0
Attendance – 586
Blyth Spartans: Mark Bell, Kenny Boyle, Alex Gildea, Gareth Williams, Richard Pell, John Brackstone, Adrian Webster (sub Simon Todd 87 mins), Anthony Shandran (sub Shaun Reay 68 mins), Rob Dale, Marc Walton, Gary Brown.
Subs not used: Stuart Banks, Adam Laidlaw & Paul Farman
Spartans picked up 3 more points in this relegation battle against fellow strugglers Redditch United.
Spartans started the better with Adrian Webster finding out Robert Dale on the left wing, his centre saw Marc Walton head narrowly wide after only 3 minutes.
Then Gary Brown linked up with Walton before the striker played the ball into the feet of debutant Anthony Shandran. He shot just past the post.
The only danger for the Spartans in the opening half came from a free kick taken by Ryan Beswick which Mark Bell dealt with comfortably.
But on 38 minutes the whole complexion of the game changed – Spartans Brown seeing a straight red card after a high challenge on United’s Lucan Spittle.
On the stroke of half time the home side were awarded a penalty. Asa Charlton fouling Walton in the penalty area. Robert Dale stepped up to hammer the ball home from 12 yards.
The second period saw Blyth hold on with 10 men – well marshalled by Richard Pell and Gareth Williams. They could easily have increased their led with Shandran and then Dale going close for the home side.