In association with:
ALAN McLEAN FCMA CGMA
Chartered Management Accountant
Blyth Spartans 2-1 Skelmersdale United
Saturday 15th March 2014
Croft Park
Evo-Stik Northern Premier League
Att: 329
There have been a number of plaudits for the more attractive side of Blyth Spartans play this season. However in emerging victorious from a battling win over title chasing thoroughbreds Skelmersdale United they showed that they are far from a one trick pony. The three points keeping their play off hopes alive as the season ends it’s final furlong what price Tom Wade’s side getting over that final fence and securing a top five spot on this performance?
There was one change from last week’s equally impressive win at King’s Lynn with Lewis Horner missing out with a foot injury. In his place was the Skem Slayer himself, Craig Hubbard. The former West Auckland midfielder memorably notched two hat-tricks on consecutive Saturdays back in October against the Lancashire outfit.
A lightening quick start to the game saw Spartans come within a whisker of taking the lead within the first minute as Matthew Wade just failed to make contact with a wicked Robbie Dale free kick from the left. Any contact from Wade would have seen him notch his sixth goal of his debut season at Croft Park but it wasn’t to be.
The main stories of the opening quarter of an hour revolved about penalty shouts as both sides saw referee Paul Dicicco turn down vociferous appeals. Dan Maguire was upended by Rob McIntosh on five minutes whilst just a minute later Skem front man Astbury went down under a Dan Parker challenge, both appeals were rejected by the official.
Midway through the half Hubbard had the chance to extend his impressive record against United but his low drive from a Maguire pull back was easily dealt with by Hibbert in the visitors goal. On thirty three minutes though Spartans were not to be denied. A Maguire corner kick from the left caught in the wind and whilst the visitors defence hesitated Robbie Dale did not. The Spartans skipper rolled home his eleventh goal of the season by spinning on a sixpence and easing the ball into the bottom corner.
With Croft Park ready to salute Spartans half time lead Skem got back on level terms with a goal that owed much to the brute strength of Dean Astbury. The former Marine man burst into the left side of the Spartans area shrugging of a challenge from Damen Mullen in the process. Astbury calmly rolled the ball back to the edge of the six yard box and that found Mark Jackson who smashed home to send the sides into the interval with the scores level.
Within five minutes of the second half getting underway Spartans were back in the lead. A speculative effort from Arran Wearmouth caught the wind and hit the crossbar, as the ball bounced into the six yard box Dan Maguire was first on the scene. His first effort was saved by Hibbert but again the loose ball fell to the Spartans striker who forced the ball over the line for his twenty second goal of a season that just gets better and better for the former Seaton Delaval man.
It was almost goal twenty three on the hour mark as an incisive pass from Hubbard released Maguire in on goal but his shot was well saved by the advancing Hibbert. That was the signal for Skem manager Tommy Lawson to go for broke with a triple substitution but that failed to have any immediate impact although as the half wore on the visitors took over.
With the clock ticking on to the ninety minute mark Spartans battling spirit came to the fore. Astbury looked set to crash home from twelve yards after a loose ball broke to him in the area but he was denied by a brave block from the impressive Matthew Wade that saw the ball loop over the bar. From the resulting corner kick Damen Mullen cleared a Hardwick header off the line but Skem would not go away.
The final chance of the game saw Conor Grant continue his impressive recent form as he produced a brave double stop at the feet of McIntosh and that was enough to see Spartans over the winning line and seal three very impressive and well earned points.
So that makes it still only one defeat in ten games since the turn of the year for Spartans. The early promising signs of the season seem to now show that Wade’s young colts may well be developing into stallions and that there could well be more positive times ahead for everyone connected with the club.
Spartans Man of the Match: Nathan Buddle
Blyth Spartans: Grant, Mullen, Watson, Parker, Buddle, Hooks, Hubbard, Wade, Dale, Maguire, Wearmouth(Robinson 76) Subs not used: Purewal, Cummings, Kendrick, Horner Scorers: Dale 33, Maguire 49
Skelmersdale United: Hibbert, Field(Hernandez 62), Ince, Hardwick, McIntosh, Dunn, Carden(Miller 62), Wylie, Astbury, McCarthy, Jackson(O’Reilly 62) strong>Subs not used Slater, Strickland Goalscorers Jackson 44
Referee: Paul Dicicco